The Circle Around You

Week 5: The Story Behind The Diagnosis

Cancer doesn’t just happen to one person—it ripples outward. Friends, family, coworkers, even the neighbor who waves a little too enthusiastically—all become part of the circle around you. Some show up with casseroles and color-coded calendars. Others disappear into the fog of awkward silence, unsure what to say or do.

And then there are the surprises:

The distant cousin who texts every week.

The coworker who quietly leaves a gift card on your desk.

The nurse who remembers your dog’s name.

Support looks different for everyone. Sometimes it’s loud and organized. Sometimes it’s quiet and clumsy. Sometimes it’s just someone sitting beside you, saying nothing, but being there.

This week, we honor the circle—messy, imperfect, and full of grace. Whether you’re the one in the center or standing just outside it, your presence matters. Your awkward hug, your “thinking of you” text, your offer to walk the dog—it all counts.

Let’s keep showing up, even when we don’t know how. That’s where the magic lives.

Beryl