Wednesday, November 17, 2010

I'm Still Here

That's kinda been my stock answer lately when people ask how I'm doing. "I'm still here" or "They haven't killed me yet" or some other much over-used cliche' spoken with disgust, indicating that I'm just barely managing to eek out an existence. WTF?! Six months ago, in my last blog entry I was patting myself on the back for my optimism. Then, poof! Suddenly everything sucks. What the Hell happened?! Well, a lot actually, all at once. Business and personal stumbling blocks, financial woes, health issues with my family and staff. No vacation, no bike trips. All in all a genuinely shitty summer.

And I let it get to me.

Then yesterday, I got a call from someone I've known and loved nearly my whole life with some amazing news. "I'm still here..." she said, with a huge smile in her voice..."and I'm sticking around for a while" her voice now quivering with emotion. I could almost see the tears of elation on her face as I wiped mine away. "All the numbers are perfect, I'm cancer-free. No more chemo, my hair is gonna grow back, I'm gonna live!" She was beaming, literally jumping up and down. The power of prayer, the power of a positive attitude, she is a perfect example of how important those things are.

I am not. I am a whiner. I should be slapped. Bitch-slapped.

I have another friend who, no matter what the situation , when asked how he is always finds a way to answer in the positive. "I couldn't be better"," I am awesome!" "Excellent my friend". Even if people are driving him to drink, he always has something positive to say. He lifts everyone around him up. These two people are is my heros and if I ever grow up I want to be just like them.

Every moment is a gift. Even when life sucks, life is pretty good. I think we all forget that sometimes but let's help each other remember. I still plan to answer the "how ya doin?" question "I'm still here" But I hope to do it now with much more enthusiasm.