Quarterly Report

I guess I'm turning into a quarterly poster! I have to admit to a little distraction called Facebook these days. Plus I've been really focused on finishing up the degree, and we've had some serious health issues in my family that have been taking a significant amount of energy and time.

In January, my father was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. This brought good news and bad news. The good news was that it could be slow moving, and may have only been picked up because of a case of pneumonia that he had been battling. The bad news was that it could also be fast moving, in which case the prognosis was five years at most. He went for a battery of tests, and was scheduled to go back for the comparison tests on May 1st.

In March, my mother discovered a teensy infection in her right breast. She decided to go have it checked out, and thankfully, her doctor sent her for a mammogram. At 77, Mom has long ago given up having mammograms, paps, and the like. The mammogram showed some lumps in the left breast. The infection was nothing...well, actually it was a blessing. Anyhow, the doctor ordered an ultrasound, which showed more irregularities, so was followed up by a biopsy. By mid April she was diagnosed with invasive lobular breast cancer, and last week underwent a mastectomy. She came home from hospital on the day my father was headed into the specialist for his next round of tests.

Needless to say it was a stressful week - and oh yeah - I had to write an exam in the midst of it all.

I'm happy to report that Mom is recuperating well ... she has a great attitude about it all. Says she's 77, doesn't use 'em anymore and neither does Dad, so take 'em away!

And as for Dad....the doctor said he has seen 28 year olds who couldn't go as long on the treadmill as Dad did last week. Says it's definitely slow moving, if at all moving .... so that's great news!

And me? I got an A- on the exam I wrote, once again proving that I am able to pull useless bits of trivial information to the forefront in a crunch.

And how was your week???

One thing in common

Lately it seems that I am more aware of mortality. Last night, we attended the wake for a friend's mom, and in the last few months, both of my parents have begun to experience more serious health issues.

I have a friend who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last January, and although barely lucid, is still alive some twelve months later. His illness has given me lots of time to consider that we are all here for such a short time, and that no matter what, death is the one thing we all have in common.

And then just this week, a woman who I have only ever known through an online community lost her battle with cancer. I have been amazed by the outpouring of posts at several sites, and on her blog, about how she impacted people around the world through the internet! She was in constant contact with people by email, telephone, blog posts and message boards - sharing her struggle, her faith, her positive attitude. She was an amazing example of courage, hope and grace.

What mark will I have left on my world? I have never aspired to do big things, but I hope I have done many small things on a daily basis that have made people smile, or feel loved. Most importantly, I guess, is that I am alive today. What can I do with this one day I know I have to make a difference in my world?

Something to think about.

Obligatory End of Year Post #4

It's hard to believe that I have maintained this blog since August 30, 2004. I have ended each of those years with an obligatory end of year post. In 2004 I basically described our sad little plans for the evening (not very exciting, and I don't think we ever did get that lobster). In 2005 I was quite philosophical and decidingly committed to not bad mouthing Knothead who (surprise surprise) was into drama and shenaningens! In 2006 I actually did do a review of my year and people actually read and commented! How self centered am I?

So here we are, ending 2007. I have had a wonderful year actually. I don't know why I remain amazed at how incredible true love is when you have found the one with whom you are meant to live out your life. I fall a little more in love with HB each day, and this year has been another one of those years.

My job really settled out this year. I returned to my home position, and have been feeling fulfilled and challenged by it. I am very close to finishing the masters program I began in January 2006 - hard to believe!

We have been blessed this year with days of great joy, days of great sorrow, and days of great mediocrity. Every day has been treasured.

I have been reading a book on the Paradoxical Commandments, and at the risk of being completely philosophical here, am going to post these here as a reminder for myself when I reach the obligatory end of the year post in 2008. My hope is that I can remember that these commandments are indeed my calling for every day in 2008.

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.

Copyright Kent M. Keith 1968, 2001.

Happy New Year.