A nurse stood by the bed of her critically ill patient and said, “You fight so hard to beat this.”

He motioned her close, and with labored gasps whispered, “I fight because tomorrow could be my best day yet.”

A beautiful two sentence story. I blinked tears.

I didn’t know the older man’s diagnosis, how long he suffered, or his family history, but I envied him. Either his life rained diamonds and daffodils, or he believed it could.

How does one not give up—hope for more? Is it faith, family influence, gratitude, or a decision? All of the above.

How would I respond if given a terminal diagnosis? Would I fight and follow doctors advice, or say no to chemical treatment? Ideally, I would book an extended vacation through Sterling Travel, invite my favorite people, and buy each a Murano Glass bird. I would die in Venice after
floating in a Gondola under the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal. I would wear my rainbow gypsy skirt, wide-brimmed straw hat with the pink peony, and sport an eternal smile for a life well experienced. I talk big, but until I face those hard conversations, I don’t know. Like you, I
am unique, and with mental capacity, I have the right to choose. So do you.

One of the rural women stories on my website titled, “A wonderful, wonderful childhood,” is about Marti who, at 80, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. As a nurse, she guessed her future and chose no treatment. She lived for six months. I’m sure Marti treasured family, friends, and God, and made each day the best one yet.

Illness and death are realities. Even if we don’t get sick, we die. One of my favorite movies this year was “The Mule” with Clint Eastwood. Toby Keith wrote the lead song based on Eastwood’s answer to, “What keeps you going?”

Eastwood said, “I get up every day and don’t let the old man in.” The song lyrics include: “Get up and go outside; try to love on your wife; stay close to your friends; look out the window and smile; don’t let the old man in.”

“The Prayer Box,” a novel by Lisa Wingate reads, “We do not choose the vessel we’re given, but we choose how much we pour out and  how much we keep inside.”

What do YOU think?

Closing with a toast, “May the rest of your life be the best of your life. Tomorrow could be your best day yet.”

Until the next time: Live while you live.

Powered by WPeMatico