Never take life for granted. I always knew that in my head. When I had prostate cancer in 1996, I realized that emotionally, and everyday since then I give thanks for the gift I have been given.
Now that our daughter Shanon has been diagnosed with breast cancer, the tentativeness of life is magnified and gratitude is multiplied.
The journey started the night she felt the lump. Today the next phase commences. She had a port implanted last Friday. Because of her small veins it was difficult. As I sit and write she is in Chapel Hill preparing for and enduring the first of four infusions. She will have four in all, three weeks apart if blood work goes well. That will be followed by six weeks of radiation. This time next year it should all be a bad dream. We are optimistic and hopeful.
Now life. We do not choose who, where, when we are born. Shouldn't that humble us? Why such anger and hostility in the world? Our differences should unite us and encourage compassion.
What could we have accomplished with all the energy and resources squandered on war and violence? Hope, our daughter's middle name, that leads to love and service to others is our only alternative for life.
As the rabbi said, a life of gratitude and joy is our "calling."
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