Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12, ESV).
Today my friend, J, rang the bell at the Atlanta Cancer Center to signify her last round of chemotherapy for breast cancer. She honored me with an invitation to be there for the moment as a witness to the goodness of God and the power of community. The staff wasn't quite sure what to do with the group of 20+ people who gathered to celebrate J. Most groups are smaller, made up of immediate family and maybe a couple of close friends. But J doesn't do anything halfway, and she invited all the people who had encouraged her consistently throughout the journey. Not only were we a larger-than-usual crowd, but a few people had thought to bring wearables, bells, and other celebratory decor, so we festooned ourselves in pink and let laughter lead our conversations. J read the poem by Irve Le Moyne as many before her have done and rang the bell three times. Then she rang an antique cowbell of her own while the group rang small bells in celebration.
J invited her friends to be with her because it was friendship paired with great faith that enabled her to face her diagnosis with hope and confidence that God is sovereign in ALL things, even cancer. Throughout the year since diagnosis, J never went without someone to call, people who prayed, friends who sent cards by the dozens, and a chemo hat maker. Friends followed her posts (or her daughter's posts) on Caring Bridge and left hearts and comments to encourage her. Knowing that she had a community of friends who cared for her gave J strength when she felt weak, comfort when chemo side effects tortured her body, and something positive to think about when things looked dreary. Two are better than one, and 20 is simply more fun. J is fun, creative, smart, and today, by God's grace, cancer-free.
Ring this bell, three times well,
Its toll to clearly say, my treatment's done,
This course is run and I am on my way.
~Irve Le Moyne.
References
The ESV Study Bible: English Standard Version. (2008). Crossway Bibles.
Ring the bell! How the bell-ringing ritual for cancer patients began