Perspective.

Make that PERSPECTIVE. All caps. And this week, I got some.

A few weeks ago, I heard of an old friend from my hometown being diagnosed with cancer. He's a year younger than me......I'll go ahead and admit that I haven't talked to him in ages, but he was (ahem!) my first "boyfriend" I think I remember having......many, many moons ago. I was shocked when I heard the news. It's too early for that. Too early for news like that.

However, thanks to Caringbridge.net, he has started journaling his experience at MD Anderson (where my mom took her treatment), and wow....if his first few journal entries didn't give me a whole new lease on my own life, then I think I might have my own disease to worry about - coldheartedness!

He journaled about having the "Why Me, God?" thoughts at first. But then, quickly realized that "he has a wonderful wife who will be there with him everyday, a healthy body to fight off this disease, and great family & friends to help him through it....so why NOT him?"

I could barely read it. I've always told Boog that if the dreaded C ever came my way, then to go ahead and make plans to re-marry because I just am not a fighter. But this......this attitude of what even sounds a bit thankful, or grateful, for the opportunity to show what God can do in a situation that sucks (for lack of a better word!) .......it floored me. Of course, the shame came over me because for so many reasons, I feel I would be having the "Why me's?" in that situation. At least I think I would.

However, I look forward to reading his & his wife's posts each day because, not only am I ready & hopeful to seeing his recovery journaled, but I feel my spirit of thankfulness for my own blessings grow ten-fold each time.

Gosh......God ALREADY has gotten the glory. Cancer, you lost that one.