Silver Linings

On the heels of my writing about seeing the good in cancer:

Peter is doing well. We assume his finger will heal just fine -- those 12 year olds can bounce back from anything physical. It's his emotional bouncing back that has impressed us. No basketball, no piano competition, no All-State Jazz Band audition -- that's a lot to give up. This weekend, his school hosted its annual basketball tournament, and he sat on the bench on Saturday for his team's first game, and after the game, decided he couldn't go back for any more of the tournament. "It's too depressing," he said, aching to be in the game.


But he did go back for another game Saturday afternoon, and then begged to go back to see the girls in his class play on Sunday.At the tournament, he's been hanging around with his teammates, some kids he knows who graduated last year, and some others from the school. He felt better. We had to drag him our Sunday -- he was having too good a time hanging out with everyone, explaining to people why his arm is in a cast, and getting sympathy from the girls.


Last night, he said to me, "You know, having cancer makes you popular, but having a broken finger makes you even more popular."


How's that for looking on the bright side?