A step into the unknown – happenstance.

Father and son, with but half a name and nothing more. A hospital, up on a hill and silently still. Through corridors and hearts of gold, the search concludes and there we stood.

As he bent over the sick but staunch figure on the bed, the world slows to a halt as his voice drops almost to a whisper. Like an angel, his words resonate with the strength of her soul; the sincere wishes of a 7 year old who has gone through more pain in life than the average commoner. The life that still could be, in youth, in jeopardy.

The words flow soothingly through his lips like a river of peace as her face wrinkles in absolute resolve – undaunted by the prospect of pain – and her hands clench tight against each other even as her eyes close in sincere prayer. The lights dim. Promises are made, requests and wishes delivered through the dark of night; the solitary figure, frail and small, displayed a spirit – eternal.

At that moment, I was shamed. Shamed by her purity – shamed by the unwavering resolve of a 7 year old cancer patient, who fights still the deterioration of her body while her mind remains for sure. It was then and there that I saw truly, that the pursuit of a dream is a gift, and freedom our prison.

How ashamed should we all be, as we live in denial of even our own dreams?