Lucky

Last week Tuesday, my good friend Scott and I had arranged to meet and review our goals for 2012.  It's a practice we do each year and we do it to keep ourselves honest and, frankly, if you tell someone what you intend to do, there's a higher likelihood you'll actually do it.  It's a good and effective practice.

I came with my list of goals and was prepared to start, when Scott told me that his friend Drew would be joining us for dinner.  I didn't expect what he said next.  He said, "When Drew arrives, don't say 'Hey, how's it going because he's likely to tell you.'"  We talked about it further and I said I would come up with another greeting.

Drew arrived and I greeted him with, "Hey, I'm glad to see you."

Beer arrived.  We talked about cycling and how riding up Mt. Diablo just kicks our overweight butts.  We talked about MMA bouts and how they are kind of homo-erotic.  We talked about work.  Everything was pretty casual.

Then Drew talked about watching a TV show with his 21 year old son and how his son hits his self-medication button and will sometimes just blank out during the show and come back to consciousness a while later.  You know, the self medication button that gives you a dose of morphine to ease the pain.  As he talked, I could see his eyes get wet.  You know, guys don't want to cry in front of other guys and certainly not in front of women waitresses.  Nonetheless, I could see the emotion in his eyes.

He talked about how his son is home now and how they had to post the DNR on the front door.  He talked about the mundane things you do when your going through life - paying bills for his son, making deposits in his bank accounts and wondering if this was really going to be necessary.  As terrible as it is, he knew his son was going to die from a blood cancer.

All I could say to him was, "I'm sorry, I can't even imagine what you're going through."

I couldn't imagine.  But also, I couldn't stop thinking about him.  I couldn't stop thinking about my own kids.  I couldn't stop thinking about every parent I know.  I couldn't stop thinking about those who are close to me.  My heart goes out to him.  He and his wife have to watch their son, who should be having the time of his life, slip into that long night.  I can't imagine.  But I know, I could feel his emotion.

I hope you all realize the simple facts - we're just lucky.

I still think a lot about Drew and his son.  I think about all the stories and friends who've suffered.   I know that someday, we'll beat these diseases.

It's my goal.

You can help. Please.  Simply go to my fundraising page and make a donation to help

The Offer Still Stands
Make a donation of at least $50 and you will get a special item of apparel at Pork-a-Palooza III.  That's right, donors will get special treatment.  Hell, getting invited to Pork-a-Palooza is special treatment.   Mark your calendars, June 24th.  (I realize that I said the 28th in the last email.  The 24th is the Sunday after Father's Day)

Please make donation if you can http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/solvang12/sasche

Follow my blog at http://notabouttheback.blogspot.com/

Be lucky
Steve

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