Wandering Along the Path: Right Speech

The political news is distressing, yes, but as I was walking the dogs I ran into my neighbor outside of her house taking down Halloween decorations.  She has lung cancer and goes today for a CT scan to see if the drug that is keeping her alive is still working.  Normally, after a year, it ceases being effective.  So that put things in perspective.  She's so strong and resilient and upbeat, but she doesn't lie or minimize her situation.  She's a hero.  I immediately realized how my prayers should be addressed.  I hope she's the exception, and the drug is doing its thing.  I hope she continues to have quality of life and strength and all the support she wants and needs.  Yet she's also on her path alone, and I feel that reality strongly.  In the midst of news headlines swirling around us are ordinary people struggling to survive and find the courage to make life and death decisions, and there are people who have had those decisions taken out of their hands, which is even worse.  May they find peace and love surrounding them.