Capitalism

It's never an ideal situation when you're handed the cancer card. I don't think it's tops on anyone's list of "things I'd like to try". Nevertheless, it gets dealt to just about everyone at some point in their life or in the life of someone they love. One of the greatest lessons that I've learned along the way is that you can do something about it. In fact, you can do everything about it. We are in control of our own destiny, and whether we have 5 months, 5 years or 5 decades, we can take action and change the status quo. Never settle in this world folks, do something, push the limits, turn over the rocks and boulders that are in your way. Better yet, learn to climb them so you can use them to gather a better vantage point for all that's left in front of you. I may have a giant question mark hanging over me, held in place by times sickle, but I'm not running away from it. If it's going to be there, I might as well see how I can capitalize on it. Maybe that punctuation mark will be placed after following sentence: When will we all come together to eradicate cancer.....?

For Marie

We met through the whipping post, both eager to find an outlet to express our common hatred for cancer. You've been at the heart of one of my life's great lessons. I don't need to know the sound of your voice, the expressions on your face, the idiosynchracies that define you to others in order to know who you are. We know each other well, we feel each other in this world without the use of any of our senses. When I read of Rachael's passing just now I became steeped in sorrow thinking of all that you've been through and all that you have left to endure. I wish there was a way to ease your pain, I wish the universe were more kind to you. There's only one thing left to say, and only you know what those three words are.