“In the book of life, the answers aren’t in the back.”

– Charlie Brown of the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M. Schulz.

“It’s so unfair,” she cried. “It’s just so unfair.”

I wanted to say that life isn’t always fair, but it didn’t seem appropriate.

“I want to know why,” she said. “I want someone to please tell me why.”

Her son had been diagnosed with cancer, and the prognosis was poor. At the time of diagnosis, the cancer was already at stage three – one step away from terminal. As to the why, I told her I didn’t know why. Genetics, diet, attitude – all of the above or none of the above.

Over the years, I have lost friends and famil...

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