One of the nicest persons I have met in my move to Kent State University from Kansas is Ruth Smith. Ruth is in charge of public relations for the School of Library and Information Science. That is a responsibility I used to have for the library school at Emporia State so I can appreciate her work to listen to others, to gather and spread news that helps make people feel good about themselves, and to remember a lot of details in her efforts to help the school put its best foot forward.
Knowing that I was here by myself, Ruth invited me to her church, got me complimentary tickets to university drama and musical performances, introduced me to people at the homecoming alumni event, and more. I have never seen this person in anything less than a positive mood and it is infectious, which is also something that I needed.
It was very upsetting to learn a couple of weeks ago that Ruth had just been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Unbelievable. The details did not make sense. The situation confirmed that life is not fair.
Then Ruth stopped by my office this past Thursday. It was the first time I had seen her in a couple of months. She looked great as always because she was full of life, as always. There was no denial, there was no anger, though I am sure those emotions have not been absent. Instead there was a determination to live every moment in the moment. I have not doubt she will.
Among her many talents, Ruth is a writer and she has a wonderful blog at http://www.laurasmomlearns.com. She has added a new section to the blog entitled "Dealing with It" - http://www.laurasmomlearns.com/blog/category/dealing/.
I encourage you to subscribe to and read Ruth's blog and follow her story as she tries to make sense of what is happening in her life. Our lives will be enriched as we affirm her life just by reading her courageous words and taking her story to our hearts.
Thanks for reading.
