A painting of our son’s girlfriend Catherine (Buff) by Jamie Stoneman, her friend and art major.
Our future daughter-in-law Buff is having surgery today. I’m asking for prayers for a successful surgery for stage three colon cancer, without complications.
Buff is an amazing person and a beautiful poet who has been published in numerous literary and poetry publications. We love her like our own daughter.
Here’s one of her poems:
This work is Copyright © 2013, and owned by Catherine Simpson and may not be distributed or reprinted in any form whatsoever without written permission from the author.
Coal Oil Point
Tonight the sky with its plummy texture
Is especially dear to me, and the small purple
Flowers shuddering in the sand.
Tonight the wind curls soft and salty against
My bare arms with that strange lively mourning.
You let me look at you and understand that
Nobody has ever had eyes like yours, fringed with
Red-gold lashes, and nobody will again.
I look up at the stars and pity them:
The more they burn the faster they die.
How I burn makes me live beyond myself.Catherine Simpson is a cellist who lives in Berkeley. She has been previously published in Big River Poetry Review, Right Hand Pointing, Spectrum, Step Away Magazine, Into the Teeth of the Wind, Poydras Review, and Splash of Red.
Thank you for your positive thoughts, prayers and love sent to Buff, our son and family.
UPDATE: Surgery was a success! Buff is recovering. She didn’t lose any other organs and it was the best case scenario. Now on to healing.
Oh, Elizabeth. Thank you so much for sharing that beautiful poem. Sending so many thoughts and prayers to Buff and the surgeons for a successful surgery and great outcome. And sending thoughts and prayers to you as well as you hold space! <3 <3 <3
Thank you, Wynne 💕 It’s going to be a long day. That poem especially touched me, not only is it beautiful, but those eyes she’s looking into are my son’s. I asked Buff if I could post this and she said the more prayers the better.
I wondered that about the eyes. My goodness, I feel chills all over. Beautiful, strong and loving. Big prayers to you all!!
Buff’s poem was written in 2013 when they first got together. I so appreciate your prayers. My son had a 3 to 5 a.m. radio program on the UC Santa Barbara campus. It was a blend of poetry and music and he’d invite Buff to read her poetry to complement the music he’d select. I’m sure my husband and I were the only ones who set our alarms to listen. 😊
Oh my. Yes. How Buff described his eyes. So much goodness and love. Sending prayers and love to all of you…please let Buff know how much we appreciate the generous sharing of her artistry. A privilege. 💕💕💕
Thank you, Vicki. She is such a talented and and amazing person. She is the oldest of seven accomplished musicians, athletes and altogether wonderful people. 💕
Sending love to all. Don’t forget to take extra good care of yourself, too. 💕
Thank you, Vicki. I appreciate all your hugs and prayers.
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I was awake for a few
minutes in the middle of the night and I prayed for your two girls and their health issues. That God woke me up and brought them to mind, even though I didn’t know the surgery was today, reminds me that God is always timely and He is already working in this situation. I wonder how many other warriors He called to prayer on her behalf?
Wow! That’s a miracle in itself. I’m so grateful for your prayers. We have a friend who is visiting Jerusalem and placed a prayer in the Wailing Wall yesterday and texted my husband afterwards. 🙏
I know God is holding you all close. Praying for the best outcome!
Thank you!
Poetry set to music. How very lovely. Buff is in my thoughts and prayers as are all of her friends and loved ones
Thank you, Julia for your prayers. We loved that college radio show because it showed their newfound love for each other.
Sending my prayers and best wishes for you daughter in law Elizabeth. May she recovers quickly and the procedure goes smoothly. Amen
A beautiful poem by her.
Thank you for your prayer. I’m glad you enjoyed her poetry. It is beautiful.
It is! You’re most welcome. Please keep us updated
I will! They said if it’s a long procedure it’s good news. If it’s short, she’ll need radiation before removing the tumor.
Praying for her
♥️
Thank you for sharing the beautiful artwork, E.A. I’m keeping you, Buff, and your family in my prayers and hoping for the best possible outcome. ❤️
Thank you, Erin. I appreciate your prayers. Plus, I’ll try to remember to breathe.
Sending all my love your way. ❤️❤️❤️
Sending prayers for health and peace
Thank you! Much appreciated 💕
EA- my sincere hope is that the surgery goes well, follow up treatment does what it must and that Buff, your son and all family can see a future full of hope, lightness, love and peace. My thoughts will remain with you as you all navigate this journey.
Thank you for all your warm and supportive thoughts. We’ve been in shock for the past two weeks. It’s a relief to finally be here in the process.
I can only imagine how hard the news was to hear EA. I know that there is a rise in colon cancer diagnoses among much younger people and no one really knows why. Please take care- you know we are all pulling for your whole family and sending hugs.
It’s so strange to have someone in their 30s be diagnosed with this cancer. Thank you for the hugs!
All the positive vibes coming your/her way!
I appreciate it! She’s at UCSF which is supposed to be one of the best.
Prayers said. God bless and keep you all.
Thank you! 💕
Sending good thoughts and hopeful prayers and positive vibes to ensure that all goes well.
Thank you! All good thoughts, prayers and positive vibes are appreciated. It’s a relief to finally have surgery day here. I’ve been operating in frozen and shock mode up until now.
Thinking of you all!💗💗
Thank you! She’s two hours into surgery, and they said the longer the surgery takes the better the news. I’m praying for more hours before we hear anything….
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This is not easy. Praying and sending hugs your way!! 🙏💕🙏
Thank you! I do appreciate them as we wait and wait.
Oh, Elizabeth, I am thinking of all of you today. Please keep us updated on how the surgery went. Sending you all love.
Thank you 💕. It’s been more than two hours and we haven’t heard anything. Our son said the longer the surgery, the better. I will post an update.
Okay, good. 😘
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Prayers that all would go well and that she can beat cancer! Sorry she has to go through it. Glad you can feel so close to her, that is a gift. I am close to my MIL and feel bad for the ones who have troubled relationships with in-laws.
Thanks for sharing her poem, it is very good.
Thank you for your prayers! It is a blessing to be close to our in laws 💕 She is a wonderful poet and person.
Definite prayers from Nevada. Keep us updated.
Thank you! Much appreciated!
I’m still hold Buff in prayer, on to healing. Hugs, C
Thank you! I’m amazed at how people were praying for her around the world and how well her surgery turned out. They will get pathology results in one to two weeks.