It was only a matter of time before she approached me. I caught her looking at my painting when I was at the framing counter picking it up. You could tell that she wanted to ask about it, she walked up to me with a quivering lip that would have most likely produced a studdering question, but her Mom pulled her away before it could come to fruition.

As I made my way to the line, and there's always a line. It's A.C.Moore, it could be midnight, the store could be closed and I am convinced that there would still be a line. I'm telling you! Drive past this mother at midnight and you'll see Grandma Gezabel arguing about an expired coupon! I saw a woman bring in a coupon one time that so old it was written on stone!

Which is where the line comes in. As I stood there with my headphones on listening to "The Hills" trying to avoid an anxiety attack, I could not help but notice her walking my way from the back of the line. The people seemed to part like an ocean around her, most looking away from her as she looked up at them. They didn't want to carry the burden of sadness that came with making eye contact with her, but I did, and to this day I don't regret it. If they had took the time to look at her they would have saw past the dark circles and found two glowing green orbs that seemed to emanate an optimism the likes I have never encountered. If they could see past her pale skin they would have found a smile that projected positivity right into your very being. They would have had that experience and cherished it. They don't know what they missed.

"Is he a superhero?" she asked vibrantly pointing at the figure in my painting.

"Maybe, he could be," I said kneeling down in front of her.

"He looks like a superhero," she said "Are you a superhero?"

"If I am I'm in trouble," I replied laughing "No I'm Seph, and you are?"

"Emily, and that's my Mom" she said pointing to the back of the line.

"Why don't you be her superhero and call her up here? You can cut in front of me."

She shouted "HEY MA!" waving her Mom over, guiding her to her new position in line smiling. Her Mom said "Thank you" aloud while laughing at her daughter. I laughed too with watery eyes, fighting back tears. What a sweet kid.

"Why do you look so sad?" Emily asked softly looking at me.

"Are you in pain?" I asked cautiously.

She replied "No, not now, it only hurts if you fight it."

Wisdom from the mouths of babes. It's true, and if it's true for this terrible disease that is trying to rob her life from her, couldn't it also be true for life itself? That we all have a predestined destination, and we should just buckle up and ride the wave to wherever it's taking us like I'm doing now. Nothing I could ever imagine could compare to where God is taking me now.

"So you are hurting?" I asked, coming back to reality, with even more concern. Her Mom said, "No, she's in remission" while placing her hand on my arm gently to comfort me "Things are finally looking up."

"Everyone is." By the time Emily and her Mom made it to the register I was wishing the line was longer, just a hundred more customers with expired coupons would have been enough. They waited for me to checkout. I gave them both a hug and wished them the best.

"Goodbye Emily," I said finding my way to my feet.

"Goodbye Seph," Emily said grabbing her Mom's hand "And remember, it only hurts if you fight it."

"Yes it does, and therein lies the message…"