Kristin and I were informed today that my cancer is terminal. It's not a matter of "if" but "when". It could be the "six to eight months" I was originally given, or it could be five years. People with my scenario just don't survive.
And that's the key really. I have no interest in surviving. That's not the point of this gift of life God's given us. The point of life is to live. I plan to live every moment I can. I plan to celebrate each remaining moment as a gift from God and an opportunity. I plan to kiss my wife whenever and wherever I can. Most importantly, I plan to worship and praise the God who's given me each of these moments.
I plan to live with cancer. This is, I believe, the only life I get. I have no intentions on waisting any second of it with bitterness, anger or dwelling on what might have happened. I'm sure I'll have my self-pity moments... why would I stop now? But I plan to laugh at myself and, occasionally, at you.
Can you do me a favor? Try to accept this with all the grace you can muster. It doesn't help me to hear, "I don't accept that diagnosis." Sometimes God's plan doesn't make sense to us. Just support Kristin and I in whatever way you can and pray that God gives us joy and peace. Don't forget my parents. They're the ones who taught me to choose joy.
I'm, once again, choosing joy.
God bless you all. I hope to enjoy your friendships and laughter for many years to come.
privileged to be under His mercy,
aaron
I don't think the way you think.
The way you work isn't the way I work."
God's Decree.
"For as the sky soars high above earth,
so the way I work surpasses the way you work,
and the way I think is beyond the way you think.
Just as rain and snow descend from the skies
and don't go back until they've watered the earth,
Doing their work of making things grow and blossom,
producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry,
So will the words that come out of my mouth
not come back empty-handed.
They'll do the work I sent them to do,
they'll complete the assignment I gave them.
Isaiah 55:8-11 (The Message)
6 comments:
Aaron.. YOU Are an AMAZING Person. I am now believing you have been put in our lives to wake us up. I hope that you can cram everything you want to complete in what ever time there is. And I hope you tell us what those dreams are. Its amazing what people can do for one another when we pull together. Will you post a dream list for us? Even if it's something you don't want for you but for someone else, a cause, etc. Or even if it sounds really silly (especially that). You've made me look at things so differently. You've already changed my life! I wish you all the best and look forward to reading your posts.
Oh oh me!!! Me!!! Make fun of my first!!! Pleeeeease?????
Love you. *smile*
Aaron, I realized when I first met you, that you have a depth of soul and wisdom that far surpasses mine, I revel in your choices and delight in our interactions, as I always have. Continued joy! Jon
What can be said.. You are a better man than I. I'm thankfull for who you are and for your influence. Stay strong.
-jonathan judd
well, Baby Bro, I take my Dairy Queen hat off to you! That's the only hat I wear, because, let's face it, my head with hats just doesn't do well, and being a hairstylist, hats are not my thing. There's nothing more upsetting than to cut a guys hair, style him in the latest fashion, and watch him place a cap on his 'do' and walk out! How Rude! Anyway, I agree that we need a face to face. But in our predicament, it's not always easy to accomplish. But I'm always available to you by phone, by internet and most definately by heart. Maybe also by jet? Let's take this one day at a time, see how the $'s add up. Maybe God can help us to meet up on one side of this beautiful country, yet. I love you...
Hi Aaron,
I have never met you, but I am a friend of Corey's and the kids. I used to work for her and sometimes still do..she mentioned your blog to me. You are an amazing person. You have given me a different perspective on things, and I am not going through half of what you and your wife are. Financially, I am not in a position right now to help out, I have been laid off from my job and am working on fixing that, but you are in my prayers. I wish you continued strength and courage and much much happiness in this grand story of life. Live it! We all need to do that more. Many hugs to you both.
~ Michelle
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