The last few weeks have given me too many reasons to reflect on how we each deal with sickness and health and life and death.
When I was diagnosed with the brain tumor and cancer, I opted to share the situation via Facebook. My work has afforded me the opportunity to work all over the world, consequently, I have friends in every corner of the planet. The positive energy that was sent my way was tremendous. Whether you call it prayer or good vibes – it all comes down to positive energy. I’m sure this positive energy has contributed to my healing over the last few years.
I’ve had other friends call out the prayer warriors as they’ve dealt with cancer or other medical challenges; everyone relying on that positive energy to help them through.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve had a number of friends opt not to share their medical challenges. This is their business and each of us has the right to choose. I’ve been feeling at a bit of a loss since in some of these instances I didn’t know the person was sick. With my own stuff going on, other than pray there isn’t much I could have done. I need to keep reminding myself – I can only choose what is best for me and cannot expect others to live their lives my way.
When my granddad (Pa) was diagnosed with cancer he asked the grandkids not to visit, as he wanted us to remember him as he was. I distinctly remember the night he died. I was in college, living in the dormitory. I’d gotten this tremendous urge to go sit by the water. I sat for quite some time thinking about Pa and his love of the water. When I returned to my dorm room, there was a note on my door to call home. I didn’t really need to call – I knew what the call was about.
These reflections tend to bring me to reflecting on others that have passed long ago that had strong wishes for when their time came.
My other grandad had a bad heart, as I recall the story, his only desire was that he not die at home – he didn’t want his wife or kids finding him dead. A friend of his had gotten a new piano, and he went to try it out. There’s a song called ‘The Lost Chord’. It’s about a man that finds this perfectly beautiful chord, and try as he may, he is unable to recreate it. Ultimately, he realizes he won’t hear it again until he hears it in heaven. When he finished playing the song, he joined his friend for a cup of tea. When he got up to leave, he keeled over – dead from a heart attack. His wish was granted – he did not die at home. I’m aware of a number of people that have had strong wishes surrounding their deaths. I’m not talking the flippant – I never want to die, but rather sincere desires in how it would impact others or their quality of living.
For me, support from around the world has been amazing. This is what legacy moments are about.