As I wrote last week, bad stuff happens. But just a couple of days later I was reminded of something quite the opposite. I received an email about an essay I’d written for the “Extraordinary Healer” Award competition for CURE Today Magazine. I knew I hadn’t won, but was happy to present the subject of the essay, Blanca–Ken’s most beloved oncology nurse during chemotherapy–with the essay to give her an inkling of what she meant to him and what she still means to me, our family, and all the other patients she–and all the nurses at Creticos Cancer Center–so lovingly cares for.

Hello Ron,

I’m with CURE Media Group and wanted to let you know that we’ve selected your essay nominating nurse Blanca V. to run in our Extraordinary Healer book. Thank you so much for submitting it! When you have a moment, could you send me an email confirming the spelling of your name as well as a your address and a good phone number for our photographer to reach you. We’d love to photograph you with Blanca.

Also, attached are two releases for you to sign and return to me (either by mail, email or fax) that allows us to run the essay and the photo of you (my contact information is below). The book will come out in early 2014…

As I read this email, my eyes began devouring it faster and faster. The friction was so great, my eyes began “watering” to help lubricate them. It was a “do-over” of sorts. And the world would yet meet Blanca and hear about where her life journey and Ken’s intersected, resulting in a kind of magic I could never have hoped for. I was gushing (remember “dry eyes”)…for both of them…and that a little bit of their story would be “out there” for the world to see.

Another significant little piece of this puzzle involves adding “published” to my writing resume–something I’ve dreamed of since I was 13–for a reason I never could have imagined–or wanted, for that matter. But it’s for a reason I couldn’t be prouder of.

I can’t help but think that even now he keeps surprising me with gifts.