A high school English teacher once warned me and my class that we may find the existential angst in The Stranger by Albert Camus upsetting. I was intrigued. I had never received a warning about reading a book before.
I still clearly remember coming to the last line (spoiler alert!):
“I laid my heart open to the benign indifference of the universe.”
At the time, I didn’t know what “benign” meant and had to search for a dictionary.
be·nign
adj \bi-ˈnīn\
1: of a gentle disposition : gracious
2a: showing kindness and gentleness
2b: favorable, wholesome
3a: of a mild type or character that does not threaten health or life; especially: not becoming cancerous
3b: having no significant effect : harmless
Far from being upset, I was oddly comforted.
The universe wasn’t out to get me.
I’ll take benign indifference.
So yesterday’s phone call with the lab results of a biopsy I had to have on Tuesday was very welcome and something I am thankful for this Thanksgiving: “Benign.”
I’ll take a friendly tumor.
Thanksgiving Day, 2000 – 2011
I am so grateful for family, friends, and health on this day and every day.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Weekend Rewind @ And then there were four
{Celebrate your courage. Send me a postcard.}
And I laughed at the "American Fried Rice." } – 
This is so far my favorite Thanksgiving post I’ve read today. No offense, other Thanksgiving posts.
Erica M recently posted..I was waiting until I had gathering photos to post, then said aw, forget it
Happy Thanksgiving! Thanks for visiting.
A blessing to be thankful for indeed! Enjoy your family!
Jennifer recently posted..Homeschooling and pie making
Thank you. You too!
Benign is such a wonderful word! I’m so pleased your results were good. This is a lovely post – great pictures too. Thank you so much for sharing with the Gallery of Favorites.
April @ The 21st Century Housewife recently posted..The Gallery of Favorites
So happy it was nothing serious! Love all the pics of your boys. They are so handsome
Shannon ~ My Place In The Race recently posted..Turkey Day
Aww, thank you. I love seeing how they changed from year to year, and then suddenly they’re grown up!
Benign is a beautiful word! Thank you for sharing your good news and wonderful perspective with the Gallery!
Alea Milham recently posted..Gallery of Favorites 11/25
Thank you. I saw a lot of great posts in the Gallery.
Marcy that is great news — yes benign is such a good word. Your boys are gorgeous – I really like the montage.
sammy recently posted..Drugs or a body ….
Tumors are usually real jerks. But the benign ones? They’re the best of the bunch.
Congrats on getting a clean bill of health. What a wonderful thing to be thankful about this week.
Came from Write on Edge.
Kim at Let Me Start By Saying recently posted..I’ll Take Peace & Quiet (and wine) Over Pie, Any Day
Yes, such a relief. Thank you.
Popping in from Write On Edge weekend linky.
After your experience, I’d agree with you that a “friendly tumour” is more than welcome! A great thanksgiving moment…
Nice to meet you *waves*
Excellent post for Thankgiving, love it!!
Thanks! And thanks for making our Thanksgiving weekend so great.
GREAT news! Who would think the word “benign” could be music to one’s ears? (And it has been in my family’s life a number of times.) Happy belated Thanksgiving.
Shannon recently posted..CHRISTMAS CHARITY CRAFTING
Harmless is good news!
Cranky Old Man
cranky old man recently posted..MORE SUPER POWERS I WANT
Benign is very good. I will have to check out that book now. Intrigued. Thanks for Rewinding x
MultipleMum recently posted..Weekend Rewind – The Zen edition
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