CNN.com reported the death of Alexandra Scott, of Wynnewood USA, the 8 year old cancer patient who set-up a lemonade store to raise money for cancer research. My heart weeps, though not necessarily out of sorrow...In a wicked world of selfish intentions, Alex's Lemonade Stand became a stark reminder, not of our mortality... but our humanity.
Out of the mouths of babes come pearls of wisdom, and out of the deeds of this child, I hope comes a reflection of hope, goodness and ultimately love. As the moment of her passing drew near, she heaved a big sigh and went to sleep and I believe to open her eyes in front of heaven's gates.
I have heard people referring to such lives as a breath of fresh air, or a shower of goodness in a parched land. I would like to think that her life and testimony left an indelible mark on the hearts of people who took some time to ponder on the real significance of Alex's Lemonade Stand. The statisticians would probably refer to the $700,000 milestone she raised - or the $1,000,000 that Volvo pledged to fulfill. The romantics would melodramatize her passing into sainthood. Whichever way you look at it, a shining example shone into our lives - whether you actually bought a cup of lemonade or read about the marvelous stand.
One such light shone into my life. At some point in my life, I wanted to be a cancer surgeon in order to fight the scourge that took mummy's life. It's been 23 years now, and I hardly made a squeak, much less a stand for her. Alex is a stark reminder of nobler times in my life and I hope a resonating conscience for those of us too busy to make life and love count.
Lastly, cancer is not the undefeatable foe it is made out to be. Nor is AIDS. Truth be told, $1,000,000 is hardly enough to fund research in any significant measure. But 1,000,000 people working side by side, hand in hand and heart to heart, with a noble cause will surely honor the lives of people like Alex and make a difference that truly matters.
No comments:
Post a Comment