My oldest son, Dean, wrote the following essay while applying for college in 2013. The question was what would he find at the end of his rainbow. As an avid fisherman the first 3 paragraphs didn't surprise me, but the last two did. I shared this essay with Team LUNGSTRONG and the researchers at Dana Farber Cancer Institute as I wanted them to understand the impact that they were having on an 18 year boy....I thought it appropriate to share here as well.
"Over the rainbow, twelve steps forward and two to the right lays an undeveloped pond of medium stature. This small body of water is spring fed with clear mountain water, has a dark bottom, some fallen trees and rocks line one side while reeds line another. A small sandy beach faces the sun, and a quiet brook flows out the opposite end. There is no wind, no waves, and only a ripple when a fish snags a bug or a leaf lands on the reflective surface. The air is fresh and clean, it smells of spring. There is no sound of cars, only a croak of a frog or call of a loon permeates the barely audible gurgle of the water flowing out through the brook. The sand is warm to the touch and the sun warms ones soul.
My humble fishing skiff is always awaiting its master’s return with its rusty nuts and sensitive engine. My fishing rod casts its self as an extension of my arm as we are hardly ever separated. The cork grip fits my hand as a painter’s brush fits their own. Fishing in this pond never gets boring, there is always a beautiful bronze back ready to slurp up my lure in the rocks or a mossy back to do the same in the reeds. And when I tire of small and large mouth bass, the elusive trout hides beneath the surface of the brook.
A short distance away is a log cabin with smoke curling its way up to the sky. Here my family can gather for a warm meal and some friendly competition. There is a guest bedroom so that our friends who know the way can stop in for a visit. Just behind the cabin is a private chair lift so the winter months can be filled with the snowy delight of skiing.
Back out front there is a pine needle path that lazily winds its way to the beach. Here amongst the sand is an Adirondack chair. Here my mom can enjoy the sun and work on her never ending list of books. The clean air and magical qualities over the rainbow, twelve steps forward and two to the right, heal her lungs. Here the nine years of lung cancer fades away and becomes nothing more than a memory. Here our family remains unbroken and without worries.
Over the rainbow, twelve steps forward and two to the right, is a long way away but I strive to create my own rainbow. Through hard work, determination, good friends, and a little luck, the place over the rainbow may eventually be pieced together. After 17 years my rainbow is still short, but I feel it is headed in the right direction."
Team LUNGSTRONG and the researchers at Dana Farber are helping make this boy's end of the rainbow dream become a reality! Thanks for making a difference in the fight against Lung Cancer! Thanks for supporting this work!
Diane
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