Mike is a man I've never met, and until a few hours ago I had never heard of him.
My dad sent me an email sharing his blog.
I hope Mike doesn't mind me sharing his story on mine.
Mike has terminal brain cancer.
I don't know how long ago he was diagnosed; truthfully, I don't know much about him at all.
I do know that scrolling through his last 4 posts, tears streaming from my eyes, that the perspective I've had for the last week of my life changed drastically.
Mike's mantra is, "Never Give Up."
Coming from someone with a terminal disease, it sounds different.
It would be easy for him to give up; everyone would understand if he did, if he wanted too, and yet throughout his posts he remains optimistic and lighthearted. Something that is often difficult when struggling with anything, much less when what you're fighting for is your life.
In the last year of my 20 year old life, my most recent struggles have included, but are not limited to:
Having my identity stolen.
Giving up school for a semester.
That stupid silly thing they call love and trying to find it.
Losing my job, a job that I loved.
Learning to trust people and what that really means.
Moving. SEVEN times.
The ever-changing color and length of my hair.
My geographical location and what it means to my relationships.
My sometimes not so great health.
And well the list goes on, and while these are all huge and scary things in my life, they sure are small potatoes compared to that of the things and emotions Mike is dealing with in his life.
If Mike, a man with a beautiful wife, three kids and a terminal disease, is LIVING with all of that change, emotion and uncertainty; with a smile on his face and an attitude to inspire and fight; I sure as hell can live with my problems too.
I HATE not having a plan.
I HATE not knowing what will come next.
I HATE that I came to California and in just two weeks I'll be leaving without doing what I came here to do.
I HATE that I feel like I have failed.
But I am so humbled and truly blessed for MY life, and this absolutely wonderful opportunity to LIVE it.
When I graduated my Aunt shared this story with me,
There's an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away.
Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit. "Such bad luck," they said sympathetically.
"Maybe," the farmer replied.
The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses.
"How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed!
"Maybe," answered the farmer.
The following day, his son tried to ride one of the wild horses, was thrown, and broke his leg.
Again, the neighbors came and offered sympathy on his misfortune.
"Maybe," answered the farmer.
The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army.
Seeing that the son's leg was broken, they passed him by.
The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out.
"Maybe," said the farmer.
The truth is we never know what's next, even when we have a plan.
We never know if Mike's story may just become our story.
In some way we all have those moments.
Those moments that feel big enough to swallow us whole; that turn our insides in knots and our legs to jelly.
Those moments where we are reminded that we are only human and that tomorrow isn't a promise.
A scary diagnosis, the loss of your job, an exciting announcement, a big move;
these are all pieces that play into our constantly changing lives.
But Mike's right; never give up,
because life will always leave you with maybe.
(Thanks Mike)
Kelci.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
"For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future, to give you hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."
