We’ve all seen the signs of club membership, the two motorcycle riders passing each other with that cool hands down wave, or the VW Westfalia or Bug earnest peace sign. They are a collective, sharing a knowledge and insight that only one in the club can understand.
That’s what the cancer club is like. It’s a whole new appreciation for all the gifts cancer brings to your life. If you were to ask me if I’d rather I didn’t get cancer I would of course say yes, who wouldn’t. But if you ask present day me that has experienced six birthdays with cancer if I would give up the knowledge, the lessons, the ups and downs, I would give an emphatic no.
Being in this club means you are given a chance to really respect time, you appreciate the present so much more, but you respect the future just as much, and in doing so you appreciate so much a day can offer,
Today is my birthday, I turned 57 years young. Each one is a blessing and each one is a gift.
Cancer has given me the gift of paying attention.
My birthday wish is for all of you to join the same club. Not the cancer club, it’s exclusive, I’m talking about the club that appreciates the importance of paying attention. Paying attention to time, to family, to others in the community. Pay attention to the sounds you hear every day, pay attention to others feelings, listen with intent. Pay attention to yourself, your happiness and your health.
My birthday wish is that you join that club.
Photo: Neil Zeller