…That’s my niece, Aniyah, above, from five years ago. 

Back then, she was diagnosed with Leukemia, but after some time, and tons of treatment, it seemed, by all accounts, that she had been one of the lucky ones, and had beaten it. 

 

Things looked so promising that Aniyah walked across a stage at a fashion show with other cancer survivors, all kids under 12, most all of them bald and exceptionally skinny, shy though also spirited and slightly sassy.

 

This week Aniyah found out her cancer came back. In x-rays, her left leg looks like it’s been redacted, whited-out rather than blacked-out. There’s nothing in the image but a long, pallid smudge, like an ochre bone lodged inside her leg. She’s always been thin and gangly, but now she’s beyond skinny. 

 

I’m not entirely sure how well prayer works, but I still pray. Sometimes it’s a cleanse or an affirmation of love and caring, which I think are good reasons, regardless of one’s belief system.

 

If you’re reading this, maybe you could pause and say a short prayer for Aniyah. It might actually end up being a prayer for yourself in some ways. You never know.

 

Thank you.