Saturday, July 10, 2010

The other side of sacrifice

If I were to guess my health score today it would be... Wait, I don't have to guess, it is whatever I say it is. Today I am a 92. This is the 4th day in a row that I have been a 92. I find that quite nice.  As recent as Monday the 21st of June I was a paltry 62. They was a rough day in the operating room. When I am above 90 I wouldn't even know that I was ever sick without referring to my medical records (although twice daily my medicine holders indicate something is amiss) This is life off chemo.
When I was young, I was taught that sacrifice means giving up something you really want today for a reward of great value later. I have personally practiced this principle since I was eight and became a Christian. My teachers were right.
I can imagine someone out there contemplating whether they should have a heart transplant, or maybe even considering a bone marrow transplant. Others might recoil at the idea of what they would have to give up by getting chemotherapy. In each situation you give up something today (feeling well, not feeling pain) with the hope of something better, i.e - a future. Well, today is the other side of sacrifice. Is it worth it? Absolutely! Yes, I know that next month when I get my chemo again, I'll be sick. But, if that means more days like today, bring it on.
For those of you who are generally healthy, this is what you feel like every day. PPPLLLEASE enjoy it!
Let go and soak it all in. Smile at everyone and have fun. Just because you are sixty doesn't mean you can't still run through the sprinkler.
Can you let go of something you really want for the hope of something greater?

Kevin

4 comments:

carolyn said...

love it!!!!!!!!!

Aunt Renie said...

I'm in total agreement, Kevin!
We walked down to the neighborhood playground last night. My grandchildren declared a competition on the swings, and I went the highest. Michaela asked, "Do you feel young again?" I had to think a minute - I always feel young!

Emma and Dan said...

I love this message. I'm going to share it with the Young Women this Sunday. We have been talking a lot about sacrifice lately.
I hope that you are still feeling fantastic! We pray for you and think about you every day!

Aunt Renie said...

Wow - I guess NO news must be GOOD news. I hope you & Barbie are so busy enjoying life and that it's been SO BORING that you haven't had anything to write about. Or TOO MANY good events to cover!