One man’s “to do” list

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One man’s “to do” list

Nine years ago, relocating to a new city – the owner of the company my daughter works for, took her under his wing and many times being more of a surrogate father in the difficulties of her life than just her boss. Over the last year plus of his life while battling cancer, she has watched how the treatment hurt him maybe more so than the disease. Going into a short - term remission and now he is faced with a short extension of life through treatment or a choice to work on his “to do” list with his family. Choosing, the quality of life in exchange for quantity with an outlook of being blessed - today I recognize him as a true cancer hero. 

Coming into the office this week to talk to her, he spoke of the blessing he felt in being able to tell people goodbye – noting many who pass are not able to do the goodbyes. Being a very religious man, he spoke of receiving his rewards of going home – but first he has a “to do” list of trips and events to share with his family for as long as he is able too. Touring the White House, a cruise and other smaller items on his list to accomplish before leaving, I believe he will complete his list that he has chosen. Creating memories for his family to last their lifetimes, someday stories that will be shared with the grandchildren who will not meet him in this world and as long as his lineage is alive, his days of the “to do” list will live as well. Final months of creating a legacy, which continues to live in hearts of those who love him. 

At some point, the end will come but for now living reigns in his heart and mind, from my own experience with those who chose life over living in treatment – choices of time become theirs outside of diagnosis, the desires of the to do empower the mind/body/spirit in a way foreign to medicine. Choosing to complete in a period of the heart, this is quality over quantity in life. He has lived with the cloud of disease, taken the steps recommended to him, feeling his suffering to live in this form is no longer his choice. Wish him well, wish him adventure, laughter and fun as he creates this legacy for his wife and children now, as he is for the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of his future who will know him for the choice of love he made. Wish him the time to complete his list in happiness and contentment with the fulfillment of doing so. And when the time comes when this hero leaves this world to return to another, may all that knew him look to the heavens and let him know he did a job well done – doing it his way! Cheers to the bold, the strong and too the love of knowing life is about living. 



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