In a time where the world seems like a place full of let-downs, I was reminded last weekend that all is not bad. Wendy and I were invited to the Benny Cowgill benefit. They are a foundation that helps families in need during their fight with Cancer-especially with children. Ben's own son lost a battle with cancer while he was in high school. Tickets were $100 to the event, but Ben told us to "Just show up". When I got to the door, I told them who I was, and was invited inside at no cost. What a nice gesture. It gets better.

I had a few drinks and talked with some locals that I had not seen for some time. Kent is a strange town filled with strange people. We ate a fabulous dinner of tenderloin, chicken, and all sorts of sides. Then the raffle began. Wendy showed up just after dinner, but the servers fixed her a plate and she ate while they began to pull ping-pong balls out of the hopper. We were out fairly quickly, but Wendy bid on (and won) Browns tickets for Nov. 4th. I am excited for this game. It gets better.

After the raffle, Ben Cowgill made a short speech about the foundation (this is their 11th year). I thought he was finished...I mean everyone had already clapped and everything. Then he continued to mention that there was two special people in attendance that had been married for just over a year. He mentioned that one of them was fighting Cancer, and the struggles that they were going through. He then presented Wendy and I a check for $3,000. He wanted us to know that the check was from his son, Benny.

Wendy was in tears. She reached out from her seat and took my hand. The entire room stood and applauded. Ben came over and gave us both hugs. I was truly touched by the generosity that suddenly filled my heart. It was one of those few moments where you could feel the love of strangers. This was not about money. It was certainly a generous gift, and much appreciated, but was truly a gift of a kindness.

I will include a pic of the Kent rough rider, until I can get a picture of Benny.

Smile...today could be your last.

I took my buddy to court today. He got his second DUI. Man, you have got to be careful. Anyway-

I find myself really thinking about money these days. Found out (after trying for a while) that Wendy and I are going to have a kid(s). We go for an ultrasound Friday to find out if it's more than one. I have never been so excited about anything in my life. I am also very nervous, which is why I've been thinking about money so much. Wendy has been in school for so long, which has been a huge sacrifice for both of us. We have been living in her sister's basement for almost a year now, and still have saved very little money. As least we are finally getting some of our debt paid down.

It seems to me that so many people in the world fall into jobs that they are so unqualified for. I mean, I know way too many people my age that are making 5X what I am making. I guess that is partly my fault for becoming a teacher. It certainly has its days of making you "feel good", being rewarding work and all, but will never give you total financial security. I have been living paycheck to paycheck for 4 years now. Time for change.
...Smile, today could be your last.

Wow. I blinked and my life fast-forwarded for over a year. And what a year it has been. I'm not sure where to even start. In Feb. of 2005, my twin brother was diagnosed with Leukemia. He fought it relentlessly without many breaks for 8 months. In October of the same year he passed away. I'm sure I will come back to this from time to time, but wanted to tell why I haven't been around lately.

In Sept. of 2006, I was diagnosed with my own cancer. Did 6 weeks of continuous chemotherapy and radiation. That took me to about Thanksgiving. Then in Jan. 2007, I had surgery removing about 16 inches of my intestines. I spent 12 days in the hospital. I'll come back to this from time to time as well.

I was given about a month and a half to recover, and then they drilled me with more chemotherapy. This time 12 cycles. I did it every other week, for three days at a time. I finally, finished this up a few weeks ago, and go for more tests in 9 days, to see where we now stand.

Wow. Those three short paragraphs summarize my life over the last year. I can't put into words how not fun the last two years of my life have been. I experienced my brother's death, his girlfriend passing away, and my own cancer. I get tired of hearing everyone bitch and moan about how tough they have it. I am grateful for so much in my life. Did we as humans forget how great it is to take in a sunset, or walk barefoot in the grass. What happened to the simple moments in life that should make us smile? Get off your cell phone for a minute and breathe the air.

I will touch on all of these things in greater detail in the future, but for now...
Smile, today could be your last.