Esau is the fifth of my Shades of Gray Men.
Hoodie, torn jeans, chain,
he still has a heart of gold.
First appearances sometimes cloud our perceptions
and prevent us from interacting with others on a meaningful level.
Let's recognise the dignity of every human being we encounter.

Duvall is a confident Shade of Gray!
Many things give us this confidence -
friends and family,
encouragement and empowerment,
trust in those who advise us,
knowing we are loved and treasured.

Beau is the second of my Shades of Gray men.

Suffering is an integral part of being human.
What differs from person to person is how we deal with suffering.
Some accept it as simply a way of being - not good or bad.
Others fight to alleviate any pain or suffering in their lives -
a continual search for happiness.
Some suffer alone.
But there are many who companion us during times of suffering:
our family, our friends,
medical practitioners,
the person who gives us a smile as we walk the dog,
the prayer communities who pray for us,
artists, such as film makers, writers, poets, musicians, bloggers,
who speak to our condition -
and speak of hope.

Chad is one of my Shades of Gray men.
He carries a back pack,
filled with things he may need to accompany someone living with cancer:
a listening ear,
companionable silence,
empathy,
an attentive heart,
an ability to set one's own life aside,
an attitude of gratitude.

Abe is the first of my Shades of Gray men.
Cancer is both an individual and a shared journey.
Men live and die with cancer;
they support family and friends with cancer;
they diagnose and treat cancer patients;
they bury those who succumb to the disease.