WORD POWER

Language, vocabulary, understanding, communication, connection.

There’s a man at my gym who regularly takes several classes that I do. He is recognized and respected by everyone. He is really strong; he lifts way more than I ever will, and makes moves that defy belief. He is a friend to some of my friends.

We talked after class today for the first time. We found out that we have a lot in common. A specialized vocabulary, for one thing: radiation therapy, chemotherapy, recovery, survival, American Cancer Society, Hope Lodge. He stayed at Hope Lodge-Atlanta, while he received radiation therapy at Emory University Medical Center. He is five years, post-treatment — a survivor. I stayed at Hope Lodge-New York City, as the caregiver for one of our sons, who received a bone marrow/stem cell transplant at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Our son is three years, post-transplant.

My new friend and I shared some experiences from our respective “Hope Lodge Days.” I told him about sitting on the porch of Hope Lodge on the 4th of July, watching the red-white-blue lights changing on the Empire State Building, and sharing Jimi Hendrix’s “Star Spangled Banner” on the cell-phone of one of the patients.

I gave my new friend a little “angel in your pocket” charm. And told him the poem I wrote for it: “Here’s a little angel to take on your way; to guard you every night and guide you every day.”