Folding, Folding, Folding, Folding
February 6, 2010
Hopefully everyone on the east coast is doing okay. If you happen to be in an area where it is snowing, I hope you are safe and snug at home. Myself, I am home with a few things I would like to get done and one of them is going to take me longer than the next 2 days.
Back in Elementary School, I read the book about the 1,000 paper cranes. The Japanese tradition of, whoever makes a thousand paper cranes gets a wish. Then thought nothing of it. Until I became friends with the Lovely Sarah Cooper, who was tweeting about folding paper cranes for a friends father who had cancer. I thought that was a super nice thing to do and commented that when we met up, she would have to teach me how to fold them. When we did meet, Sarah did just that. Again, time passed and I thought nothing of it. Then a few months later I met a friend of my Real Estate partner, who had cancer. John Boroughs was one of those people that you would meet and instantly become best friends with. After meeting him for the first time, I thought back to Sarah and her paper cranes. The next thing I knew, I was folding 1,000 paper cranes for John. It took me a few months and a little help from others to fold the entire 1,000 paper cranes. Most of the people who asked what I was doing said, “that is so nice of you.” There were a few people that said, “you know those cranes wont change anything.” To those last few people my reply was, “well yes I am not an idiot.” I knew all along that these cranes were not going to cure the cancer or make it go away. It was just something to show John, that he knew people loved him and hoped he would make it through.
Sadly, John passed away last year after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. I did get the cranes to him before he passed and he did live 4 months longer than the doctors said he would. The last time I spoke to him, he said that he showed those cranes to everyone who came to visit him. He loved them and that was all that mattered to me.
Since that time, I was glad to not be folding paper cranes or my tired fingers were at least. A few months ago a friend of my mothers, who is the sweetest woman you will ever meet in your life, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Now what do you think I have been doing since then!
Since, I will be snowed in for a few day, I hope to get a bunch more knocked out. I know that these cranes wont change a thing, but if it helps my friend smile while they are suffering, that is all that I care about.
You made me cry a little.
I’ve always thought of the cranes as visible prayers. The whole time you fold, you’re thinking about the person and wishing they’ll be well, even if you know they can’t be.
I also like them because they’re colorful and festive, like party decorations. I bet they made John happy every time he looked at them.
Want me to send you a few cranes for your Mom’s friend?
That is so sweet..I knew I <3 ed you!!! Miss you hon
If you weren’t one of my most favorite people on the planet before, surely you would be after this. I was reminded of the cranes at the World Trade Center museum, and I know how comforting it was to families of friends lost there that others were thinking of them.
The beauty of the tsuru is echoed in those elegant gestures of paper, and thank you (and Sarah) for continuing to pass that beauty on, especially to those most in need of a little beauty in their lives.
So very thoughtful of you.. and of Sarah. I have been there.. and while I did not receive cranes, just the thought of it would make anyone want to smile.