Cancer is a bitch

I’m pictured here with my nephew and step-dad, both lost to cancer.

My nephew died in the early morning of Jan 4th, 2005, at the very young age of 6. My step-dad just a few years earlier.

This past 4th of January marks 20 years since my sweet nephew Griffins passing, after years in and out of the hospital battling neuroblastoma.

We spent the 4th of Jan visiting with family, remembering Griffin, playing games, eating his favorite foods, wearing his favorite color (red). It was a day of both sadness and joy.

It was also a day I could not write. I just didn’t have it in me. Words failed me.

And then the very next day I heard of the passing of Mike Rinder, who had also been battling cancer.

It was a shock and it has been several days of sadness and remembering for so many people.

Oddly, I did not have any direct contact with Rinder either before or after the Sea Org. We just never crossed paths.

There was just the one time, the day of 9/11, when I was at the HGB, Scientology Management building in Hollywood, when we all had to go to the 6th floor dining room for a briefing. This was where Rinder told us what they knew about the attacks, and also assured us that we were safe, Afghanistan was far, far away. Rinder showed us how far on a map, to make us a little more calm, I think.

But anyway, to the point of this article.

It’s truly lovely to see the outpouring of wonderful and sweet comments for Rinder, who spent the “second” part of his life (as we have all been calling it…. His time since leaving the Sea Org) helping everyone he could.

It’s like people coming out of the woodwork everywhere with stories about him and how he helped.

It sends my mind, oddly, to the Sea Org. And I imagine those who have battled cancer in the Sea Org, only to pass away still and barely be remembered by Sea Org members.

I guess I remember a Scientology issue would come out, listing some accomplishments and noting that the deceased has 21 years to return to the Sea Org in their new body.

Anyone who felt upset about a death in the Sea Org was expected to get an auditing session for it. We are not sad when we are on post, we don’t mourn the dead.

We get a session and then we all carry on.

That’s just how it is.

No . It’s not ok with me. People deserve to be remembered, not forgotten.

And so, Mr. Rinder, you will be remembered for so many things over the next few days, weeks and years.

As it should be.

Your good will not be forgotten.