What Really Matters in Life – Wake Up Call

As many of you know back in March of this year my Dad was diagnosed with Lung Cancer.  Dad had stopped smoking 23 years ago but 2 packs a day for 30 years had taken its toll. 

Initially I was in denial, no way can’t be cancer.  I really did not recognize that I was in denial until I went there to visit Mom and Dad in Florida.  My first visit was during his first Chemo session.  Typically the first Chemo does not hit for many days after the treatment.  I then re-visited my Dad about 5 weeks later.  My denial went away when Dad greeted me at the door of his home; he had lost most of his hair on his head as well as his eyebrow hair.  Reality almost knocked me down.  It took all I had not to break down in tears.

 My Dad has always been my greatest cheerleader in my life as well as my biggest devils advocate.  I don’t remember Dad even missing any of my sporting event or school events.  Mom and Dad used to drive 9 plus hours to watch me play college soccer and basketball.  My team mates were very jealous of my parent’s commitment to watching me sit on bench some of the time and play a lot of the time. 

 I’ll will never forget when I asked my Dad to be my Best Man when I married Susan.  I had both my parents on the home when I asked; my Mom cried and after my dad said yes he also told me that was the greatest gift he had ever received.  I never thought asking him to be my best man would have so much impact. 

 My Dad’s announcement of cancer was added to my already burdened felt heart.  We have been having real challenges with our three development projects that have all hit very had times.  I was not sure how I could take on any more stress in my life.  The thought of loosing my dad, my best friend was really had to digest.  Perhaps God placed this burden in my heart to show me what is really important in my life. 

 Chemo #2 did not go well.  The doctor used a different chemical mix which put my Dad in the hospital for 6 days.  His white blood cell count fell from 100% to 5%, his body stopped fighting infection.  I got the call from my sister to be ready to fly down because things were not looking good.  He got through this and was home and back on track.

Dad’s last scheduled Chemo was last Monday June 29^th on Wednesday July 1^st he had his first CAT scan to see how the chemo had attacked the cancer.  This past Monday he got the results.  Instead of me telling you this was the e mail I received right after his appointment.

 “Today your mother and I met with my cancer doctor to go over the findings of my recent CAT scan of last week. Coming to the point, there was no sign of any cancer anywhere in my body!  This is of course good news but must be taken with some suspicion because it is known that some cancer cells may simply go into remission and may return someday.

 For this reason, I will have a CAT scan every two months for the rest of my life as a precautionary process.

Love to you all and Thank You---with all my heart for all your prayers. God has been listening!”

Always, Dad”

 I thank God today for the blessing of Dad’s health and new lease on life.  A wonderful friend of mine tells me all the time “if you don’t count you blessings your blessings don’t count”.   How are you counting your blessing?

 The past 24 months have God has truly revealed to me what is really important in my life.  I can see how my priorities got totally out of whack; I was chasing what the world see’s as important. 

 My priorities are now back in alignment, Faith, Family and Friends, everything else is replaceable.  What a great place to get to.

 Question for you, is there anyone in you life today that you have lost connection to that you need to mend a bad past situation?  If so consider fixing it, you will not regret it.

There will be certain trials and low spots in life, I believe they are there to test our character and resolve. 

 I need to tell you all that I have been truly overwhelmed over the past 6 months with all thee mails and calls telling me you are praying for my Dad.  God heard those prayers and answered mine………..Thank you all

 Stephen.