Seven

Seven

Seven months ago today a DR. yanked a catheter from my body and told me to sit down.  I was three days away from my 51st birthday and with one word my life was changed forever, some say my world was turned upside down. That word was cancer. 

As I sit here thinking about what to write I'm not focused on cancer but on the statement "my life was changed forever."   If an event occurs, such as cancer, that "changes my life forever" does that mean previous events that "changed my life forever" no longer have an impact on my life? I don't think so. 

Nearly 27 years ago I became a member of what I consider to be the oldest fraternity known to man.  I enlisted in the Air Force and became a Veteran, "my life was changed forever."  I served for roughly 6 years, 7 months and 14 days and will tell you as I have told many it was the best time of my life. I got to work ground support for Air Force One under Presidents Reagan and Bush Sr, ate bologna sandwiches with Barbra Bush and was sent TDY to provide ground support for Mike Dukakis who was running against George Sr.

Over 40 years ago I met a man named Paul Fox, he taught me to ride a unicycle and was like a father to me. He taught me things such as "catch your seat, attention is an impulse not an order"  and to "always keep two fingers together." Did this change my life forever? In a sense it did, whenever I watch olympic figure skating, gymnastics or the like I always find myself watching to see if the person is holding 2 fingers together.

Nearly 35 years ago "my life was changed forever," and it has stuck more than any other life changing event. On Feb. 18th, 1978 I accepted Jesus as my savior. It wasn't about attending a class, joining a church or what religion my parents were. It was a simple process of confessing to God I was a sinner, asking Him too forgive me and surrendering my life to Him. This was an event that truly "changed my life forever." Have I lived a perfect life since? No. This event not only changed my life, but gave me the assurance of eternal life.  

Has cancer "my life was changed forever" or "turned my world upside down?"  Maybe for now but as far as forever only time will tell.  

Some may wonder about the picture, it is a patch from my dads unit, he served with the 7th Army in Germany during WWll.  He was also a Marine during the Korean War. Since it was seven months ago I was diagnosed I thought "why not"