Have you ever been so in love that the rest of the world seemed to be at a standstill? When the object of your affection is right in front of you or as far as a step across the street, nothing else matters. The sunlight glistens in such a way on your beloved that the sparkle from the reflection drenches your face and dazzles your vision, making you oblivious to everything around you.

Looking out my window, I see the love of my life, sitting there just a few yards away, serenely waiting for me. I’ll never forget the documentary film maker from London who, after an hour long interview with me, met you and was obviously enamored. He literally was speechless as he stared at you. When he tried to say something witty, I interrupted with, “Beautiful, isn’t she?” I think he was genuinely embarrassed and not sure how to reply. Previously he had been so eloquent in his questions about my work as a celebrity personal assistant. Now he was dumbfounded. Love does that to people. Well, in his case it wasn’t love, it was down right lust.

Suddenly, I’m in a trance, dreaming about the all the times we’ve spent together, and all the heads we’ve turned over the years.

Remember that leisurely drive up the Southern California coast, Josh Groban’s song Alla Luce del Sole blasting from the stereo? We stopped to watch the waves softly kiss the shore in Santa Barbara. The breeze was wafting through my hair, feeling like a gentle caress. A light rain began to fall, covering us both with tiny beads of water. Instead of running for cover, we remain, transfixed, as droplets continue to fall, unaware of our surroundings, drinking in the moment.

What is it about love that can do this to a person? Songs have been sung, poems have been written, art has been created, and empires have fallen over the love of one. I don’t profess to be a conqueror, composer, painter, or poet, but I do know that I’m a lover. Today my beloved is waiting for me.

Love is an eleven letter word: convertible. This sensuous Lexus SC430 silver convertible with satellite radio, custom alloy wheels, and — sigh, seat warmers, is, truth be told, owned by my boss. But due to a series of events too complicated to explain here, this car has become my daily transportation for the last nine months. It’s just one of the benefits of being a celebrity personal assistant. People often assume celebrity personal assistants get to enjoy many perks because they work for famous people. Yes, there’s a plus side, but I want you to know that I don’t think of driving the boss’s car as a mere perk. It’s so much more than that. It’s a thrill. It’s bliss. It’s ecstasy. It’s rapture. For want of a better word, it’s kismet.

Well, I need to go now. I have a date with my own (okay, it’s really my owner’s) true love.

Getting a cancer diagnosis is probably one of the most devastating things a person has to experience. I can only imagine what a person who has heard the words, “You’ve got cancer.” must feel, but that doesn’t mean I can’t sympathize with the situation and tell you that I love you.

You read all of the time about people telling you how to cope with cancer and what your treatment options are, so I’m not going to do that. What I am going to do is to tell you that you are on my heart and on my mind, and I promise to say a prayer for you every day that you will be strengthened by this journey you’re on.

My father, Willie, was having some issues with his stomach late last year. His doctors believed he had some blockage in his intestines, so they decided to do surgery to see what they could find. Well, they found something, and what they found was not promising. Daddy had a cancerous tumor that was blocking his colon.

I remember vividly sitting in the waiting room during his surgery and the doctor coming out, stone-faced, and I stood to my feet. We were expecting to hear that his surgery had gone well and the blockage had been removed. Dr. Ward looked us squarely in the eyes and said, “We’ve found cancer.” My stepmother immediately started crying, but not me.

If there is one thing I know, I know that God is able. And as if that weren’t already enough, I know my dad is a trooper. I instantly thought that if anyone could get the diagnosis and beat it, surely, it was him. We affectionately call him “The Bull” because of his rough and tough exterior, but inside he’s just a sweet little pony. (smile)

I can’t say that my heart didn’t skip a beat when the doctor told us the news, but I can tell you a few things grounded me in that instance. First, my faith. Then, my love for my dad and his zest for life.

I didn’t flinch as I asked the physician, “So, what’s next?” He said, “Well, I believe I’ve removed all of it, and it doesn’t look like it has spread. But, we won’t know for sure until we receive the tests back from the lymph nodes we took in the surrounding area. That could take up to a week.” Then, he reassured us Daddy was doing well from surgery and was in recovery.

I’m happy to say The Bull’s story ends well. The cancer hadn’t spread, and he would be fine. But had his tummy not been bothering him, we probably would have not known cancer was alive and well inside his body until it was too late.

I know everyone’s story doesn’t end like his. And I didn’t tell you that to make you feel bad if your experience isn’t looking like it will end well. What I do want to offer you is hope. Hope and belief that even if cancer costs you your life, that other good things may come from it like how something like this pulls and welds families together.

So, if you’re living with cancer or experienced it the way I have, through a loved one, a diagnosis doesn’t have to be the end. Everything happens for a reason. Whatever season you’re in with this disease, please know that my heart goes out to you.

And please also know that just as I ached for my father’s well-being, I ache for yours. My prayer is that a cure will be found to stave off this disease once and for all. But until it is discovered, take heart that someone out there loves you and is praying on your behalf.

May God bless you and your family as you navigate the rough waters of a cancer diagnosis. I love you. Take care.