Recently I have been reflecting upon all the twists and turns in my life that have brought me to where I am today. Twists and turns that I have intentionally created by my own decisions (good and bad) and the twists and turns that were thrust upon me by life itself (good and bad). I wonder where I would be today if I had chosen to go to a different college. What if I had not taken that particular job but rather the other? Should I have pursued this rather than that? What if I had not been diagnosed with cancer? What would I be doing right now and where would I be doing it? Man, as I think about all this my head begins to spin. There are countless possibilities of where we finally end up based upon all the decisions we make and the situations we encounter during our journey through life.
What I find to be amazing is that with all of the twists and turns in my life I have ended up right where I want to be. I couldn’t have planned it any better (except, of course, for the cancer). I have a beautiful and loving wife, a son I could not be prouder of, and an extended family who loves me and whom I love very much. So how did that happen? I mean, how did I end up where I want to be given the infinite possibilities of the twists and turns?
I would like to say that God has guided me from the beginning but I have to admit that during most of my life I sort of ignored God’s will and relied solely upon my own instincts which, as I look back, may not have been such a great idea. I drifted with no real sense of what I was doing other than attempting to find happiness and success. Oh, I was happy and successful, yet not “content”. Thinking about it now I believe what I lacked was a sense of purpose and, without purpose, I drifted through many twists and turns.
Jeremiah 17:5-11 -- Thus says the Lord: "Cursed are those who trust in mere mortals and make mere flesh their strength, whose hearts turn away from the Lord… Blessed are those who trust in the Lord…"
Once I began to build a relationship with God and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior I began to feel “settled”. The drifting stopped. I have a purpose, which is to work toward profiting God’s kingdom. I now consistently turn to God for advice and pray for His guidance and He has consistently provided it.
Proverbs 3:5-8 -- Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body.
Now here is the question that is tickling the back of my poor bruised brain – If I had not built my relationship with God or accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior would I still feel as though I ended up exactly where I want to be or would I still be drifting?
Romans 8:28 -- We know that all things work together for good* for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
I believe I would still be drifting.
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July 23, 2010
July 18, 2010
Medical Update – Dealing with Not So Good News
This past week I had an MRI of my brain and a follow-up visit with my neurologist in order to check the progress of my brain healing since surgery as well as to determine whether or not there are any signs of new tumors developing in my brain. The good news… the brain appears to be healing pretty well. The bad news… there is an indication that a new tumor might be developing. The neurologist says it is still too early to tell and we will do another MRI in September to see what is going on.
This is not the type of news we like to get. It is so much easier to hear good news. It is so much easier to thank God when we receive really good news. How in the heck do you thank Him for not so good news? Should we say, “Thank You Lord for warning me about another brain tumor?” That just doesn’t sound right. I guess that God does not expect to be thanked for bad news. After all, God does not make bad things happen to us so thanking Him would be mindless and horribly misplaced. But as I write this I believe that He does expect us to turn to Him for comfort and help. It is a time to reaffirm our knowledge that God is in control and, by putting our trust in God, we can free ourselves of bearing the burden of the bad news by ourselves.
Matthew 5:14-16 -- let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
From the beginning of our journey the Lord has commanded me to endure and let my light shine as an example for others to follow. I will continue to do this to the best of my ability. Does it frighten me to think that I may have another brain tumor? Of course it does. But I trust God and will follow Him wherever He leads.
Joshua 1:9 -- 'I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’
I will continue to pray that our merciful God will give me more time to finish the work He has given me of profiting His kingdom.
Matthew 26:39 -- ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’
Psalm 91 -- For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
Romans 8:28 -- We know that all things work together for good* for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
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This is not the type of news we like to get. It is so much easier to hear good news. It is so much easier to thank God when we receive really good news. How in the heck do you thank Him for not so good news? Should we say, “Thank You Lord for warning me about another brain tumor?” That just doesn’t sound right. I guess that God does not expect to be thanked for bad news. After all, God does not make bad things happen to us so thanking Him would be mindless and horribly misplaced. But as I write this I believe that He does expect us to turn to Him for comfort and help. It is a time to reaffirm our knowledge that God is in control and, by putting our trust in God, we can free ourselves of bearing the burden of the bad news by ourselves.
Matthew 5:14-16 -- let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
From the beginning of our journey the Lord has commanded me to endure and let my light shine as an example for others to follow. I will continue to do this to the best of my ability. Does it frighten me to think that I may have another brain tumor? Of course it does. But I trust God and will follow Him wherever He leads.
Joshua 1:9 -- 'I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’
I will continue to pray that our merciful God will give me more time to finish the work He has given me of profiting His kingdom.
Matthew 26:39 -- ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’
Psalm 91 -- For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence; he will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
Romans 8:28 -- We know that all things work together for good* for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
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July 13, 2010
A Visit to the Office
It has been seven months since I left work on medical leave. When I left on leave I hoped beyond hope that I would be able to return to work before long. This wasn’t in God’s plan for me. Because of my illness I took an early retirement in May of this year and have since been working toward adapting to my new lifestyle.
I worked at the hospital for ten years and I must say that it had been the most rewarding ten years of my nearly 40 year career. The hospital is a great environment to work in and the professionalism of the people made going to work everyday a joy. I felt as though I was able to contribute, just a little, to the overall success of the hospital and I thank God for providing me that experience. My coworkers are wonderful people whose friendships I will always cherish.
I had a head MRI scheduled for this morning as a follow-up to my brain surgery a couple of months ago and decided that, as long as I was going to be at the hospital anyway for the test, I would drop by the office and see the folks.
I had not returned to visit my old office since I left seven months ago and I must admit that I had been intentionally putting the visit off until today. I’m not exactly sure why I resisted the visit but I believe that I feared an emotional backlash. I have tried very hard over the past months to put my old life behind me and push forward with the new and I believe that I have just about completed the transition. My fear was that by visiting my office and seeing the “gang” I would slip back and loose some of the ground I had gained. But I put my faith in God knowing that He would be with me and I went to the office.
Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
It was a wonderful visit. It was great to see the folks and catch-up a bit on what’s going on in their lives. In many respects it was as though I had never left (of course with the exception that I didn’t have to worry about getting work done). Yes, the visit was emotional. I really miss not only the work but also the daily fellowship with my coworkers. Will the visit make my transition harder? No. My fear was unfounded. I believe reconnecting with my coworkers and seeing the work environment was exactly what I needed to remind me that, even though my work-a-day life is behind me, that part of my life played a role in shaping who I am today. Ignoring it or resisting it would be like denying part of who I am.
1 Corinthians 10:13 -- No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.
Dear Lord, thank you for the ten years I worked at the hospital. It provided a great way to end my career and allowed me to make lasting friendships. I pray that the time I spent working there contributed to the success of the hospital and, as such, helped to profit Your kingdom.
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I worked at the hospital for ten years and I must say that it had been the most rewarding ten years of my nearly 40 year career. The hospital is a great environment to work in and the professionalism of the people made going to work everyday a joy. I felt as though I was able to contribute, just a little, to the overall success of the hospital and I thank God for providing me that experience. My coworkers are wonderful people whose friendships I will always cherish.
I had a head MRI scheduled for this morning as a follow-up to my brain surgery a couple of months ago and decided that, as long as I was going to be at the hospital anyway for the test, I would drop by the office and see the folks.
I had not returned to visit my old office since I left seven months ago and I must admit that I had been intentionally putting the visit off until today. I’m not exactly sure why I resisted the visit but I believe that I feared an emotional backlash. I have tried very hard over the past months to put my old life behind me and push forward with the new and I believe that I have just about completed the transition. My fear was that by visiting my office and seeing the “gang” I would slip back and loose some of the ground I had gained. But I put my faith in God knowing that He would be with me and I went to the office.
Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
It was a wonderful visit. It was great to see the folks and catch-up a bit on what’s going on in their lives. In many respects it was as though I had never left (of course with the exception that I didn’t have to worry about getting work done). Yes, the visit was emotional. I really miss not only the work but also the daily fellowship with my coworkers. Will the visit make my transition harder? No. My fear was unfounded. I believe reconnecting with my coworkers and seeing the work environment was exactly what I needed to remind me that, even though my work-a-day life is behind me, that part of my life played a role in shaping who I am today. Ignoring it or resisting it would be like denying part of who I am.
1 Corinthians 10:13 -- No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.
Dear Lord, thank you for the ten years I worked at the hospital. It provided a great way to end my career and allowed me to make lasting friendships. I pray that the time I spent working there contributed to the success of the hospital and, as such, helped to profit Your kingdom.
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July 10, 2010
Ramblings
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Medical Update
Over the past several weeks my Oncologist has been weaning me from the high level of steroids I have been taking. I have been very excited about reducing the amount of steroids in hopes of reducing their side effects. Unfortunately, with the now lower doses of steroids I have been bothered by nausea that is likely caused by swelling in the brain, liver, or something. This week my Oncologist instructed me to once again increase the daily dose of steroids in an effort to reduce the swelling and the resulting nausea. We’ll see what happens.
Next week I have a follow-up visit with my Neurologist. I have an MRI of the brain early in the week than the follow-up visit later in the week. The intent is to check the progress of my brain’s healing since the tumor was removed as well as to determine whether or not a new tumor is developing. Ever since I was first diagnosed I have had routine scans in order to keep tabs on the cancer’s progress and each time I become a little nervous of what will (or will not) be discovered. Nervous? Yes. Afraid? No. I know that God is in control and I have put all of my trust in Him. I will follow Him wherever He leads me.
Romans 8:28 -- We know that all things work together for good* for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Matthew 26:39 -- ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’
Doing God’s Work
If you have been reading my postings you know by now that the reason I post to this collection is in hopes of helping at least one person take at least one step closer to God. This is the work that God has asked me to do in order to profit His kingdom with the time I have left. This Blog is one of the ways I am trying to fulfill His command. This week I have had several people tell me that they have been inspired by my writings and have passed it on to others who they believe would benefit from it. Words cannot express how much that means to me.
Matthew 5:14-16 -- let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Dear Lord, thank you for providing me with the opportunity to do Your work by touching others in such a way as to inspire them to move closer to You. You are a mighty and merciful God.
Preparing
I mentioned in the previous posting that the last piece to our financial puzzle fell into place this week. Pat and I met with our financial councilor yesterday who is very optimistic about being able to secure Pat and Chris’s financial future. God is great. God is good.
Luke 11:9-10 -- ‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.'
Thank you Lord for the loving kindness you continue to provide to my family.
Fellowship
Today I had the opportunity to spend time with a friend over a cup of coffee. We spent a couple of uninterrupted hours talking about “stuff” that is going on in our lives. I believe we both benefited from “unloading” on each other. In just two hours my close friend became a closer friend. Priceless.
Family
God has blessed me with the best wife and son a man could ever hope for. Words cannot express how much I love both of them. Pat is always there to help me and care for me while at the same time working tirelessly maintaining the household. Chris continues to jump-in and do tasks that Dad would normally do. I pray that as time goes on I do not become a burden to them.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 -- Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
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Medical Update
Over the past several weeks my Oncologist has been weaning me from the high level of steroids I have been taking. I have been very excited about reducing the amount of steroids in hopes of reducing their side effects. Unfortunately, with the now lower doses of steroids I have been bothered by nausea that is likely caused by swelling in the brain, liver, or something. This week my Oncologist instructed me to once again increase the daily dose of steroids in an effort to reduce the swelling and the resulting nausea. We’ll see what happens.
Next week I have a follow-up visit with my Neurologist. I have an MRI of the brain early in the week than the follow-up visit later in the week. The intent is to check the progress of my brain’s healing since the tumor was removed as well as to determine whether or not a new tumor is developing. Ever since I was first diagnosed I have had routine scans in order to keep tabs on the cancer’s progress and each time I become a little nervous of what will (or will not) be discovered. Nervous? Yes. Afraid? No. I know that God is in control and I have put all of my trust in Him. I will follow Him wherever He leads me.
Romans 8:28 -- We know that all things work together for good* for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Matthew 26:39 -- ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’
Doing God’s Work
If you have been reading my postings you know by now that the reason I post to this collection is in hopes of helping at least one person take at least one step closer to God. This is the work that God has asked me to do in order to profit His kingdom with the time I have left. This Blog is one of the ways I am trying to fulfill His command. This week I have had several people tell me that they have been inspired by my writings and have passed it on to others who they believe would benefit from it. Words cannot express how much that means to me.
Matthew 5:14-16 -- let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Dear Lord, thank you for providing me with the opportunity to do Your work by touching others in such a way as to inspire them to move closer to You. You are a mighty and merciful God.
Preparing
I mentioned in the previous posting that the last piece to our financial puzzle fell into place this week. Pat and I met with our financial councilor yesterday who is very optimistic about being able to secure Pat and Chris’s financial future. God is great. God is good.
Luke 11:9-10 -- ‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.'
Thank you Lord for the loving kindness you continue to provide to my family.
Fellowship
Today I had the opportunity to spend time with a friend over a cup of coffee. We spent a couple of uninterrupted hours talking about “stuff” that is going on in our lives. I believe we both benefited from “unloading” on each other. In just two hours my close friend became a closer friend. Priceless.
Family
God has blessed me with the best wife and son a man could ever hope for. Words cannot express how much I love both of them. Pat is always there to help me and care for me while at the same time working tirelessly maintaining the household. Chris continues to jump-in and do tasks that Dad would normally do. I pray that as time goes on I do not become a burden to them.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 -- Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
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July 6, 2010
God Provides
When I was first diagnosed four years ago with this rare and likely terminal cancer and it became apparent that I would spend a lot of time out of work receiving treatment one of my first concerns was my family’s financial situation. I told God at that time that I was worried about the financial stability of my family and was afraid that my illness and possible death would leave my family in a desperate financial situation. God responded to me immediately and quite simply with “Don’t worry.”
Matthew 6:25-34 -- ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ...But strive first for the kingdom of God* and his* righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
So, I put my trust in God.
Once I went on medical leave a second time in December 2009 Pat and I began to seriously plan for my upcoming retirement in the spring of 2010. We surrounded ourselves with a team of wonderful professionals who, I truly believe because of the Holy Spirit in them (God, bless these people), have come to our aid. We have an Accountant, a Lawyer, and a Financial Councilor who have been working with us. There have been many hoops to jump through with the insurance companies, my previous employers, and the Social Security Administration in order to put all the pieces in place that will secure my family’s financial future. All along I trusted God and knew that he would provide although, I must admit, I still worried a bit.
Today we received wonderful news. The last piece to the financial puzzle fell into place. I received confirmation from the insurance company that a major claim has been approved, which will secure the family’s financial future.
Through the entire journey with my cancer, which began over four years ago, I have been amazed how God has provided for us. The examples seem countless. I have had easy access to high quality health care. We have had an outpouring of support from family, friends, and the Christian community. God continues to provide me with the gift of life. And now the financial security of my family is assured. I can see God’s grace at every turn during our journey and the work of the Holy Spirit constantly surrounds us.
Psalm 18 -- The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Dear Lord, thank you for providing for my family during our times of trouble. Thank you for the ongoing gift of life. Thank you for guiding us through this journey and for the work of the Holy Spirit throughout the Christian community. You are a mighty and loving God.
God is great. God is good.
.
Matthew 6:25-34 -- ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ...But strive first for the kingdom of God* and his* righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
So, I put my trust in God.
Once I went on medical leave a second time in December 2009 Pat and I began to seriously plan for my upcoming retirement in the spring of 2010. We surrounded ourselves with a team of wonderful professionals who, I truly believe because of the Holy Spirit in them (God, bless these people), have come to our aid. We have an Accountant, a Lawyer, and a Financial Councilor who have been working with us. There have been many hoops to jump through with the insurance companies, my previous employers, and the Social Security Administration in order to put all the pieces in place that will secure my family’s financial future. All along I trusted God and knew that he would provide although, I must admit, I still worried a bit.
Today we received wonderful news. The last piece to the financial puzzle fell into place. I received confirmation from the insurance company that a major claim has been approved, which will secure the family’s financial future.
Through the entire journey with my cancer, which began over four years ago, I have been amazed how God has provided for us. The examples seem countless. I have had easy access to high quality health care. We have had an outpouring of support from family, friends, and the Christian community. God continues to provide me with the gift of life. And now the financial security of my family is assured. I can see God’s grace at every turn during our journey and the work of the Holy Spirit constantly surrounds us.
Psalm 18 -- The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Dear Lord, thank you for providing for my family during our times of trouble. Thank you for the ongoing gift of life. Thank you for guiding us through this journey and for the work of the Holy Spirit throughout the Christian community. You are a mighty and loving God.
God is great. God is good.
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July 4, 2010
Understanding God
For whatever reason I feel compelled lately to spend more time learning more about God. I believe I already know what God wants for me and from me and I feel very comfortable talking with God, thanking Him, asking of Him, and just sort of, well, being with him. What I believe I am searching for is an understanding of how God thinks. Now this may be an understanding that is way beyond my abilities but I can’t help but think that this is what God would like us all to pursue. Through the prophet Jeremiah God tells us that we should not only know Him but also “understand” Him for in this He delights.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 -- ...but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight.
Now, of course, the best source for understanding God is the Bible and I believe that the Old Testament contains countless insights into how God thinks. So, I have begun to once again read the Old Testament. (As of this writing I am about half way through Exodus.) As I re-read the Old Testament I am consciously seeking to understand why God is doing what He does when He does it. I am finding that in many cases God reveals to us in the Bible why He does what He does but unless I am looking for the “why” this can be easily missed.
Now I am not so sure that we as mere mortals can truly understand how God thinks. Through the Prophet Isaiah God tells us that His ways are higher than our ways.
Isaiah 55:8-9 -- For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Yet in Proverbs we learn that God expects us to seek His “higher ways”.
Proverbs 25:2 -- It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.
And in James we learn that, if we ask in faith, God will reveal wisdom and understanding.
James 1:5-8 -- If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
So, I will push forward, trying to better understand how God thinks and why He does what He does when He does it.
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Jeremiah 9:23-24 -- ...but let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight.
Now, of course, the best source for understanding God is the Bible and I believe that the Old Testament contains countless insights into how God thinks. So, I have begun to once again read the Old Testament. (As of this writing I am about half way through Exodus.) As I re-read the Old Testament I am consciously seeking to understand why God is doing what He does when He does it. I am finding that in many cases God reveals to us in the Bible why He does what He does but unless I am looking for the “why” this can be easily missed.
Now I am not so sure that we as mere mortals can truly understand how God thinks. Through the Prophet Isaiah God tells us that His ways are higher than our ways.
Isaiah 55:8-9 -- For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Yet in Proverbs we learn that God expects us to seek His “higher ways”.
Proverbs 25:2 -- It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.
And in James we learn that, if we ask in faith, God will reveal wisdom and understanding.
James 1:5-8 -- If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. But ask in faith, never doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind; for the doubter, being double-minded and unstable in every way, must not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
So, I will push forward, trying to better understand how God thinks and why He does what He does when He does it.
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July 1, 2010
Going Home – Back to Our Roots
I had a very blessed childhood. I grew up in Ohio, in a neighborhood that included a huge extended family made up of my mother’s immediate family. Within two city blocks lived several sets of aunts, uncles and cousins as well as my grandmother. My cousins were more like brothers and sisters than cousins to me and they were all within a couple of years of my own age. My aunts and uncles were like my own parents whom I treated with the respect due my parents and they returned the favor by treating me as their own child, helping to raise me. We cousins traveled freely between each other’s houses and made ourselves at home in each other’s houses as if we were in our own homes. For all practical purposes, we were in our own homes. It was a wonderful childhood full of love and companionship tempered by the ongoing correction and discipline that is unavoidable when raising children.
And then life changed.
When I graduated from high school way back in 1970 and headed off to college in Cleveland I made a huge mistake. I just sort of dropped out of sight. Well, not really dropped out of sight. My extended family knew where I was and what I was doing but I no longer intentionally communicated with them or really went out of my way to spend time with them. I guess I became pretty focused upon me and just couldn’t find the time to stay “connected” with my extended family. Once I graduated from college I found a job in Cleveland and never returned to live in my hometown where most of my cousins established themselves and began raising families. Ever since I never attempted to “reconnect” with my aunts, uncles or cousins. Looking back on it I almost feel like the Prodigal Son who left home to find his fortune.
Now, forty years later, I really regret having lost touch with my extended family. I know that this regret is a result of my cancer having returned and my feeling like I have run out of time to reconnect with them. I only wish I had done something about it sooner.
Pat, Chris and I spent all of last week in Ohio. It had been a couple of years since we visited my hometown and we were due for a trip there. In the past, our trips to Ohio were focused upon having quality time with my sister and her family as well as my mother. We would squeeze in a quick visit to one or two aunts and uncles but that was about it. This visit was different thanks to my sister who organized a “Cousins Party”. Of course, the party was not restricted to cousins but included four generations of the family – all the aunts and uncles, most of the cousins, most of the cousins’ children and their grandchildren. There was a bunch of people there, some of whom I had not seen in forty years and some of whom I had never seen.
We had a wonderful time talking about growing up together, learning what each other is now doing and simply reestablishing old and cherished relationships with each other. It gave me the opportunity to remember where I came from and how it shaped who I am today. It also gave me the opportunity to reaffirm my love with those people who love me most. It was a very special time and I cannot thank my sister Ann enough for organizing the event. My only regret is that it took forty years and a terminal illness to make me understand the true value of my extended family.
I also have an extended family here in South Carolina. Pat’s mom and dad and her sister and brother all live here. Between the three sets of families are six cousins. I have begun to encourage the cousins to “stay connected” regardless of where life leads them. I am attempting to gently impress upon them the importance of having close relationships with those we love and to always be there for each other for support, guidance and love. I pray they take my advice.
Dear Lord, thank you for the opportunity to reconnect with my extended family in Ohio. I know that I neglected my relationships with them over the years and I pray that they can forgive me for having done that. Thank You also Lord for all of the blessings You have given these wonderful people and I ask that You continue to bless the generations that follow them.
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And then life changed.
When I graduated from high school way back in 1970 and headed off to college in Cleveland I made a huge mistake. I just sort of dropped out of sight. Well, not really dropped out of sight. My extended family knew where I was and what I was doing but I no longer intentionally communicated with them or really went out of my way to spend time with them. I guess I became pretty focused upon me and just couldn’t find the time to stay “connected” with my extended family. Once I graduated from college I found a job in Cleveland and never returned to live in my hometown where most of my cousins established themselves and began raising families. Ever since I never attempted to “reconnect” with my aunts, uncles or cousins. Looking back on it I almost feel like the Prodigal Son who left home to find his fortune.
Now, forty years later, I really regret having lost touch with my extended family. I know that this regret is a result of my cancer having returned and my feeling like I have run out of time to reconnect with them. I only wish I had done something about it sooner.
Pat, Chris and I spent all of last week in Ohio. It had been a couple of years since we visited my hometown and we were due for a trip there. In the past, our trips to Ohio were focused upon having quality time with my sister and her family as well as my mother. We would squeeze in a quick visit to one or two aunts and uncles but that was about it. This visit was different thanks to my sister who organized a “Cousins Party”. Of course, the party was not restricted to cousins but included four generations of the family – all the aunts and uncles, most of the cousins, most of the cousins’ children and their grandchildren. There was a bunch of people there, some of whom I had not seen in forty years and some of whom I had never seen.
We had a wonderful time talking about growing up together, learning what each other is now doing and simply reestablishing old and cherished relationships with each other. It gave me the opportunity to remember where I came from and how it shaped who I am today. It also gave me the opportunity to reaffirm my love with those people who love me most. It was a very special time and I cannot thank my sister Ann enough for organizing the event. My only regret is that it took forty years and a terminal illness to make me understand the true value of my extended family.
I also have an extended family here in South Carolina. Pat’s mom and dad and her sister and brother all live here. Between the three sets of families are six cousins. I have begun to encourage the cousins to “stay connected” regardless of where life leads them. I am attempting to gently impress upon them the importance of having close relationships with those we love and to always be there for each other for support, guidance and love. I pray they take my advice.
Dear Lord, thank you for the opportunity to reconnect with my extended family in Ohio. I know that I neglected my relationships with them over the years and I pray that they can forgive me for having done that. Thank You also Lord for all of the blessings You have given these wonderful people and I ask that You continue to bless the generations that follow them.
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