From the Heart – Ronny Keller Michel

I am so happy that Elise my daughter spoke at the American Cancer Soc-iety’s Relay for Life. Several weeks ago, when I informed her that Mrs. Bobbie Zaidain had asked her to speak, Elise was less than enthusiastic. Elise doesn’t enjoy the spotlight and is much more comfortable serving others in the shadows. I didn’t push Elise, but prayed that she would agree to speak.

Two weeks before the event, Elise still refused to speak. I told her that it was her decision and dropped the matter. Only five days before the Relay, Elise found me in the living room, sat by me on the sofa, and asked, “So, how long would my speech have to be?” I assured her that it could be as short as a minute. “OK,” she said, “I’ll do it. ” And she did. Following is a copy of the speech that she delivered.

Hello. My name is Elise Michel and last year I was diagnosed with cancer. It was so weird to think that cancer was in my body, but I trusted my parents to know what to do, and I trusted my doctors to know what to do, and I trusted that God would heal me like He healed my Mom when she had cancer.

While I was in the hospital, I received many cards, gifts, visits and phone calls and I enjoyed almost all of them. One of my friends called and said, “Well, at least if you die, you get to go to Heaven.” I suggest that you never say that to a person in the hospital. I was only 11 years old and didn’t want to die. I’m so grateful that the rest of my family and friends were more encouraging.

I’m just here to tell you that you can have cancer, get well, and live. I did. I still have a scar from my surgery, but it doesn’t bother me. When I see it, it reminds me of the kindness and diligence of my doctors, the support of my friends, and the faithfulness of my God.”