For Judy

Yesterday morning's practice was for Judy. Judy is a student whom I met at the studio where I teach about 3 years ago now, and we have become friends. She is a special person in my life and a continued source of wisdom and inspiration for me. This Sunday, she is running the Shamrock Half Marathon in Virginia Beach and although this isn't the first race for her in the past year, this weekends' date marks a special milestone for her. This Sunday is the 2-year anniversary of the completion of Judy's 7-week daily regimen of radiation treatments for cancer.

I remember clearly the day at the studio when I found out that Judy would be undergoing cancer treatment. I'd known only one other woman who had been candid about having cancer and in both cases the openness was both a breath of fresh air and a steely blow to my gut. A believer in God and the power of prayer, I prayed a silent prayer on the spot for Judy's complete healing. Over the weeks and months that followed, her energy level ebbed and flowed in practice and her physical abilities shifted resulting in changes to her range of motion and a lower tolerance for the heat. Yet, regardless of her outward state, what remained constant was the gleam in her diamond blue eyes each time I saw her. I'd never noticed how blue Judy's eyes were until she came to class one day with her head shaved. I thought to myself, this is the most beautiful I've ever seen her! To me, the clarity of her eyes indicated that there was a vibrant and healthy spirit-being inside patiently waiting for treatment to be complete. The months passed and there were weekends when I saw her, and weekends when I did not. Then came the day when she said that her subsequent 5-month chemotherapy treatments (infused weekly) were coming to an end and her healing would begin.

If you've ever had a friend who has had cancer and watched them go through this process, you've witnessed for yourself the miracle that is not only modern medicine, but the human body and spirit. Each time Judy came to a milestone, she shared it with me and a well of fresh saline pooled around our eyes, followed by an embrace. It's become our way of celebrating. Today, Judy never fails to acknowledge the blessing of a clean bill of health, victory over cancer and its treatent, and of being able to flawlessly sport curly tendrils that look just fabulous after a 90 minute heated yoga class (well those are my words, she's way too gracious to say that!) Judy is surrounded by a beautiful family, who I can tell keeps her close to them and provides an endless well of strength. When I see her on Saturday mornings at the studio, we kiss European style (both cheeks) and give a huge hug.

Last night, my friend Jimmie posted a poem by Gwendolyn Brooks so timely for this blog entitled, "my dreams, my works, must wait until after hell". In his words, the poem is "about someone patiently waiting..." I've been blessed to bear witness to Judy's miraculous journey through radiation, chemotherapy and healing these past 2+ years and to help her to practice yoga throughout because she wanted to. Judy moved through this phase of her life with an otherworldly grace, never giving in or giving up - even through the tears. I'm so proud of my friend and am so grateful for her life. Her testimony continues because she has proved that because of her faith and inner resolve, there is nothing she can not do.

This picture of Judy was taken post treatment and is one my favorites because to me it captures her perfectly. You can see her diamond blue eyes and her smile says "I'm blessed, I'm blessed, I'm blessed.  The wait is over". Please join me in wishing Judy godspeed this weekend and on every day that follows.

Thank you, my dear friend for letting me write about you.

With much love,

Jess