昨天下午收到美国朋友CS的电子邮件讲述他晚期淋巴癌复发的情况，我伤心难过得流泪了。CS是一所大学音乐指挥系的教授，他的妻子是学声乐的。他们与我和我的先生是相知相识了18年的好朋友。二年半前，52岁的CS被诊断患晚期非哈金森氏淋巴癌。经过一年左右的治疗，癌症得到有效的控制。没想到，刚过了一年半，就被查出癌症复发。得知这个坏消息，我们全家都非常难过。作为一位医学科研工作者，我明白复发的晚期非哈金森氏淋巴癌更加难以治疗。CS的一位音乐专业的学生后来成了肿瘤专科医生，现在是我的同事。这位朋友和我都邀请CS到我们工作的医院接受治疗。经过一番思考权衡后， CS选择留在他工作和生活城市的医学中心。
昨晚，我与先生分享了CS的近况，先生也非常难过。他请我代替全家给CS发一个电子邮件。今天早晨，我告诉CS，我们全家都非常爱他，想念他，也为他祈祷。CS很快回了一个邮件说，他也非常爱我们，想念我们。我们之间的邮件交流将我们带回了一年多前在北卡州的重逢。2007年的圣诞节和新年，我和先生回到北卡参加杜克大学（Duke University)学生团体的重逢聚会（reunion）。我们顺访了许多老朋友，其中包括CS和他的家人并且与他们共进午餐。那时，CS刚结束最后一期化疗，他的头发尚未完全长出来。然而，他精神风貌依然那么开朗乐观，幽默风趣。知道我们全家都喜欢音乐，他和妻子送了音乐CD给我们作为圣诞礼物，其中有我非常喜欢的一个国际男生音乐组合IL Divo的作品。从CS生病后发给亲人和朋友们的电子邮件中可以得知，虽然癌症肆略着他的身体，死亡的阴影笼罩着他，但这一切都无法击垮他的精神和灵命，他在苦难中过着爱与喜乐的生活。每当我在为他伤心难过时，我会听音乐，包括听CS 介绍给我们的一些音乐组合和个人，如IL Divo 和Mr. Steve Green。这些音乐是在苦难中的信心和盼望。
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
