Cherish The Day

I do not write to seek pity or sorrow, but to make a point. I am a forty-four year old father of four kids from 6 to 18, and have been married for twenty years. I currently battle cancer for the third time in my life, and the medical profession says I will not succeed in defeating it this time. I do not know if that is Gods will, that will prove out in time, but it has changed my perspective on life, and what is important. I cherish each day.

I sit on the street at times, or look around at various places where there are many people, all rushing by, somewhere to go in such a hurry. People talking on cell phones, telling kids to be quiet or dragging them around to run errands. I watch them and try to make sense of it all. I look at this little corner of the world, and try to imagine their thoughts, their dreams, their wishes. So many voices speaking at once. What madness would it be if you could hear them all. The think about not just the corner, but the city, the state, the country, the world. Billions of people running helter skelter, with ideas and thoughts and things to do. I just want to cream at them all in unison, "slow down, you are missing your life". Stop and cherish the day.

I watch and listen. I do a lot of that these days. I soak up the sun, listen to the wind blow in the trees, watch a sunrise. I wake each morning and cherish the day I am about to be given. Whether it be sunny, or rainy, cold and snowy or blustery, it does not matter. It is another glorious day given to me by God, for me to enjoy. I cherish the day.

I hug my children and never fail to tell them I love them. I try to freeze moments in my mind of them and remember them a t each stage of their life. I thank God for their gift and ask for his protection of the them.

I spent time this summer, trying to find myself - what was my purpose here on Earth. This was before I was diagnosed with cancer again. I was sick of my job, overworked, contemplating retiring from coaching after twenty-four years, and maybe even getting out of education. What good was I doing and it was so frustrating and seemed unrewarding. What was I here to do - there had to me more.

My oldest son graduated this year, so for only the second time in his life, we went on a family vacation. We drove to the beach in California from Montana, went to San Francisco, saw the sights, spent two weeks together as a family. It was an amazing time for me. I came to understand my purpose. It was right there, all the time; my loving wife and those four children. Why did need some grand purpose in life, I already had it. Through the miracle of birth and the grace of God I had a wonderful family. What more could a man hope to leave behind. I cherished those two weeks like none other. It was such a beautiful time. I made so many lasting moments to keep forever, and I believe they will as well. I cherished each day.

As I returned to be diagnosed with cancer, that trip became even more important. The subsequent days have been more of the same. When I get caught up in what I have to do today, I ask myself what would really happen if I did not get that done, and spent some time playing catch with my son, or teaching my daughter to drive, or taking time to hold hands with my wife and watch a sunset. How important it is to ask about everyone's day, to got  each child's activities, to spend that quality time with family. I cherish each day.

I became refocused at work, and realized I do make a difference. I am a high school counselor, and at times wondered why I worked so hard and seemingly no one listened. Then a student came in to speak to me, an wish me well. Then parents and other members of the community. Former students call and send cards, co-workers help with donations and prayers. So many people have rallied to me, and reaffirmed that I do have an impact, I do have a purpose. In this one school I help so many in any way I can, and receive their help in return. What a gift for me to cherish.

I also cherish God, and his son Jesus. Yes, the disease and its threat have changed me to see things differently. I wish I could pass this message on to others who are healthy and have no current health cares. I hope you always remain that way, but you should refocus your life, your goals, your moments. Cherish the day.

Slow down your life. You can want that promotion, and get that list of :thing to do: finished, but let it be interrupted by what is important. They are only little minute in the length of a day, take them. Be thankful for what you have and look at what you have - find your real meaning. And when you wake each morning, do think think of the burdens the day will bring, there are always those less fortunate, who must bear terrible burdens and perhaps this is their last day. Cherish the day.

The day will be what you make of it. God has granted it to you, now you must do the rest. Approach it with God, walking with Jesus, and it will affect your whole day. See the good as well as the bad, see the things that can be done. Look around and see if those around you "stop and smell the roses", or if they rush right by. Stop and cherish the day.

We never know when our life will end here on this journey. Life is short, the human body really quite frail. When it is our time, God will take us. We cannot dwell on when that will be, only that it will happen some day. In the mean time, live life, for the moment at hand with the blessings of the Lord. Cherish the day.

Ocober 9, 2004 ~ from Faith, Healing and God