昨天下午收到美國朋友CS的電子郵件講述他晚期淋巴癌複發的情況，我傷心難過得流淚了。CS是一所大學音樂指揮係的教授，他的妻子是學聲樂的。他們與我和我的先生是相知相識了18年的好朋友。二年半前，52歲的CS被診斷患晚期非哈金森氏淋巴癌。經過一年左右的治療，癌症得到有效的控製。沒想到，剛過了一年半，就被查出癌症複發。得知這個壞消息，我們全家都非常難過。作為一位醫學科研工作者，我明白複發的晚期非哈金森氏淋巴癌更加難以治療。CS的一位音樂專業的學生後來成了腫瘤專科醫生，現在是我的同事。這位朋友和我都邀請CS到我們工作的醫院接受治療。經過一番思考權衡後， CS選擇留在他工作和生活城市的醫學中心。
昨晚，我與先生分享了CS的近況，先生也非常難過。他請我代替全家給CS發一個電子郵件。今天早晨，我告訴CS，我們全家都非常愛他，想念他，也為他祈禱。CS很快回了一個郵件說，他也非常愛我們，想念我們。我們之間的郵件交流將我們帶回了一年多前在北卡州的重逢。2007年的聖誕節和新年，我和先生回到北卡參加杜克大學（Duke University)學生團體的重逢聚會（reunion）。我們順訪了許多老朋友，其中包括CS和他的家人並且與他們共進午餐。那時，CS剛結束最後一期化療，他的頭發尚未完全長出來。然而，他精神風貌依然那麽開朗樂觀，幽默風趣。知道我們全家都喜歡音樂，他和妻子送了音樂CD給我們作為聖誕禮物，其中有我非常喜歡的一個國際男生音樂組合IL Divo的作品。從CS生病後發給親人和朋友們的電子郵件中可以得知，雖然癌症肆略著他的身體，死亡的陰影籠罩著他，但這一切都無法擊垮他的精神和靈命，他在苦難中過著愛與喜樂的生活。每當我在為他傷心難過時，我會聽音樂，包括聽CS 介紹給我們的一些音樂組合和個人，如IL Divo 和Mr. Steve Green。這些音樂是在苦難中的信心和盼望。
Amazing Grace
【John Newton (1725-1807)】
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
Steve Green “What Wonderous Love is This”
What Wonderous Love is This
（American Folk Hymn）
What wondrous love is this O my soul O my soul
What wondrous love is this O my soul
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul for my soul
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul
When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down
When I was sinking down, sinking down
When I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous crown
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul for my soul
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul
To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing
To God and to the Lamb I will sing
To God and to the Lamb who is the great I Am
While millions join the theme I will sing
And when from death I’m free I’ll sing on I’ll sing on
And when from death I’m free I’ll sing on
And when from death I’m free I’ll sing and joyful be
And through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on
And through eternity I’ll sing on
