The world is a better place because of you two and what and how you have lived your life with dedication to humanity. You are in our prayers nightly and we too believe in miracles. Creation continues and with it remedies for illnesses...I just hope it hurries up. Blessings to both of you.
John, Thank you for sharing your thoughts and bravery. When I was 15 at Miege, I was diagnosed with cancer in the intestinal area. Was given 1 year to live, but was later discovered that my cancer was a very rare tumor and was treatable. Here I am 45 years later and still doing well. So you never know where God will lead you in this Road of Life. Have Faith and Appreciate what God has given you.
John, I think your blogs and thoughts are subject to a book not yet written.
All your joys and fears you have shared have touched my heart and soul and given me hope when I have needed it.
Julie and you have the gift of the written word. AND people are hungary for it. What agift you have to give the world, as you continue this journey.
love you both a lot.
I've never liked the "fight" or "beat this thing" language, as I've had friends with fast moving cancers who didn't need the added emotional burden of feeling that they weren't "fighting" hard enough to turn back the disease, or even to gain a remission. As you wisely point out, each treatment has given you something in terms of months or years more of life, and taken something away due to side effects. This is such a complicated thing. Cancer cells are rapacious. They don't care about the goodness of the person they afflict, or the desire to live and love and create a better world. Cancer cells simply do what they do, which is multiply and cause all sorts of havoc. They wriggle around attempts to contain them. We fight; they grow. Very up-ending to our sense of control. That you've mastered the disruption in our illusion that we're in charge of our lives is a big thing, and one that I admire very much. Sending you both good energy and love, that you continue to hold in balance a sense of reality and a sense of hope and ability to enjoy the moment. Glad you have Arlo. He's too little to know the ups and downs of all of this, and can simply and purely be the recipient of Grandpa and Grandma's love. Much better focus.... Pam
John, Thank you for this profound reflection. Though we've never met, I feel that I know you and your family through Julie. I agree with your decision not to include wording in an obituary about your "courageous fight with cancer." That is always a turn off for me and I would make the same decision as you. Thanks for being a role model. I'm thrilled to read of the life you are creating on Bainbridge, close to children and your grandchild with opportunities to garden and be close to people you love and things you love doing. The richness you are inviting into your life will make your remaining years and blessing . Congratulations for stepping fully and thoughtfully into these decisions. I know they are complex and not always easy.