After being diagnosed with The Big C in 2011, I started making a list of things I wanted to do before I “kicked the bucket”. I knew that most cancer patients survive up to two years after their diagnosis so I listed some things I could accomplish within that span of time. One item on my list was to record a music CD. I want my grandchildren to hear my voice. This is the least I could do to introduce them to the old man when I’m gone, I thought. At that time my first grandson Camden was a year old and my second grandson Liam was only two months old. Within three months of my illness, and in between doctor’s visits “myTRIBUTE” was recorded. That’s one check on my bucket list!
I got very depressed when I received the news about the cancer. But I was determined not to allow depression take any moment of my remaining life away. I sang and sang and I sang…and I sang the depression away! Music proved to be therapeutic indeed.
The following is an excerpt of the essay I wrote on the back cover of my CD jacket:
“This music recording is an overflow of God’s blessings poured into my heart when the Lord touched me in a very special way while dealing with cancer. These songs bring comfort, peace, strength, assurance, hope and answers to my many questions. Singing has become a healing balm to me. I sing all the time. I sing the moment I wake up. I sing when I’m glad as well as when I’m sad. I sing when I’m mad. I sing when I get frustrated. I sing in the kitchen, I sing in the shower. I sing in the car. I sing when I pray. I sing when I’m in pain. I sing aloud. I sing in silence. I burst into singing when I teach and preach. Indeed:
I have a song that Jesus gave me. It was sent from heaven above;
There never was a sweeter melody. ‘Tis a melody of love;
In my heart there rings a melody, there rings melody with heaven’s harmony;
In my heart there rings a melody; There rings a melody of love.”
The next thing I wanted to do was write my life story. I started working on it after my cancer surgery.
That was almost five years ago and I have been writing my story in a spiral notebook since.
Yes, I beat cancer! I am healed! I am a survivor!
God has been gracious in extending my life and I have more stories to write in my thick spiral notebook.
However, I discovered this paperless pad they call the notebook computer, and its power to share my story not only to my family but to the whole world. And so, on these virtual pages, I will share my life’s journey: my sorrows and joys, my challenges and victories, my pains and comforts, my failures and successes, my confessions and revelations.
Thank you for following this blog and welcome to “myJOURNEY“.
No! My goal in writing is not simply to check an item on my bucket list. I have a bigger purpose than that. If my story can encourage and inspire one soul, I will have met my goal.
myJOURNEY 