“Memento Mori”

Hey My Friends, hope each of you are doing well. June means “summer time is here”. Hope you are enjoying this time of the year and have some plans or have started planning for summer activities. Natalie and I have a big event coming up later this month that is exciting and I will tell you more about that soon.

I want to share a couple of big events that have happened recently. I am still slow on getting items written and continue to work on some improvements in that area.

First is, a big check in last week with my Dr. The last several weeks have been a mixed bag of feeling much better and other days not feeling that much better. Part of that process is what makes me begin to question, “What is this check up going to show us”?

My blood work and MRI were wonderful. The blood work looked good and the MRI, basically shows no activity around the removal area on my brain!!! That has been the reality since that major surgery over 12 months ago.

Glioblastoma is the most lethal form of brain cancer. The norm is 6-18 months before is takes your life. June is month 19 for me and my health seems to be getting better. To be honest, I did not believe I would still be here. There is a very small percentage of people who survive 2-5 years!!! I am now believing I will be in that group. I am so grateful for that and grateful to be feeling better as my body cleans out the chemo.

That was all very special news!

The other part to this today is, “You are loved and of great value” and “Memento Mori”.

If you have been reading my post for awhile, you have noticed at the end of each post that term, “you are loved and of great value.” I believe it is important for you and I to believe and understand that truth. I believe the God of creation sees each of us that way. He wants us to know we are, loved and of great value. Once you truly begin to beleive that truth you can begin to see others that way.

The understanding of that truth also helps us understand the significance of, “memento mori”. That phrase was developed from a Latin phrase. Many would think the idea of “remembering that you will die” would be pointless and even scary at times. That is not how this phrase was meant to be used. The reality of the phrase is, each of us will die at some point, remember that and live your life well.

Natalie had that picture made, framed and it now is on the wall as you walk into our house. It was a special gift from my wife. I believe it is a great reminder of each day I am alive. How will I choose to live my life? It is my choice!!!

Having a terminal brain tumor can be discouraging and very frustrating some days. Discouraged and frustrated help me stay focused on what really matters and what I do have control of each day!!

Have you noticed the reality of your life. There are so many things that can and do impact your view of life. Things that can make you question, if you are loved, if any one see’s your values and treats you with respect and fairness.

Here is the reality! You and I don’t always get treated well or with what is true. That is simple because we live in a broken world and you and I are broken. I have messed up many times and still will. My “mess up” never changes, God’s love and his value of me. I believe that is true.

That truth gives me today to live well, to be an extension of God’s love and value to others that desperately need to know that truth.

So today please remember, “You are Loved and of Great Value.”