I’ve been to Long John Silvers when someone who walks out the door rings the bell to say they had good service. Raising our kids, we had an old schoolhouse bell that we would ring to announce mealtime. Every Sunday, as church begins, someone rings the bell announcing to the town that it’s time to bow our heads in worship.

Now there’s a new bell in my life. This bell hangs in the hallway just outside the waiting area where Suzanne’s Radiation Treatments occur. On the day patients complete their last treatment, on their way out the door, they get the chance to ring the bell and announce to the world they’ve completed their treatments.

Today, I could tell that something was about to happen. The hallway was filling up with a gathering of doctors, nurses, staff, family members, and passers-by. There were smiles on everyone’s face in anticipation of what was to happen next. A man, about my age, rang the bell.

At that instant, I was surprised by how overwhelmed with emotions I became; joy for the man who has endured the treatments, elation for his wife who was moved to tears by the moment, the expectation that someday Suzanne will be in that special place, and ring that bell. As I pushed down a lump in my throat, I jumped up and hurried to the hallway with a tear in my eye, clapping my hands in celebration with everyone else.

On the bell, the inscription reads:

END OF TREATMENT
Let your strength and courage
be felt by all,
as this bell's song fills this hall.
Celebration Bell

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
James 5:13