Choose Life

Life is a precious gift. I always knew it was a gift, one to which I was not entitled, in an intellectual sort of way. When Babe died after being diagnosed with stage IV glioblastoma my view of life as a gift moved from my head to my heart. I began to see each moment as a gift. I came to a crossroad where I could choose to embrace this gift or to wallow in self-pity, angry Babe’s gift was taken away.
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px ‘Helvetica Neue’; color: #454545}

We must be willing to let go of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. – Joseph Campbell

It’s not easy to embrace the gift when love was snatched away.
It’s not easy to hit a new, steep learning curve.
It’s not easy to wrestle with memories cause by a song, smell, sight, or word.
It’s not easy to live in a beautiful city when your five daughters are spread throughout the country, but none close by.
It’s not easy to choose to live life as an incredible gift, but it is my only choice.

So, I am going to smile and say, “it’s a great day to be alive” – because it is. I am going to extend my hand and introduce myself and say, “Hi, my name is Ray, what’s yours?” I am going to give thanks to God for Babe’s life for each moment we shared. I am going to be grateful for each drop of love that falls upon me (I am drenched by the outpouring of love from neighbors, strangers, parishioners, and baristas at Starbucks).

Yes, life is good. Life is a gift. I am grateful. CHEERS TO YOU!

CHEERS!!