Lesson by Bam, Inspiration by Fred ....

If you've been dropping around these parts for any amount of time at all, you'll know that my glass is just about always half full. Life's too short to get all Jammed up™ over any of the small stuff. So I try to remain as Benevolent™ as I can, whenever it comes to fighting for what's really important in life.

Well this past weekend my friends, I was truly humbled at my own game! I saw everything I believe in my heart of hearts, come to fruition in another.

Back in August last year, Fred was in a pretty bad way. When we found out that it was probably Cancer, I knew I had to be as strong as I could for Peb's and the whole family. It was going to take some pretty serious support to keep this glass half full and to be honest, it really wasn't looking too good.

Together as a family and with the great support of Doctors, Hospital Staff and so many wonderful friends and family, we took it to Cancer in the only way we know how. We attacked and attacked and when we were totally exhausted from the battle, we attacked it some more. I promised my family one thing right from the start. I would NOT be the one giving up and I'd bite the head off of the first one in our group that did. That included Fred, although I know I didn't have to tell him anything. Peb's stubborn streak is come by quite honestly, as anyone could have felt Fred dig in for the battle ahead. There was no way he was ever going to show his girls any sign of weakness. He'd even go as far as to practically knock himself out while trying to get around with them, only to become so weak and exhausted by the time they'd leave, that medical treatment was often required. But he wouldn't let them know that. He'd be their strong father figure, ready to support their needs at any time. In a nutshell, he'd be Fred!

Saturday and just a couple of short weeks after completing a long and draining schedule of Chemotherapy treatments, Peb's and I took Fred and Wilma out for a game of Golf. That in and of itself, seems like a miracle to me all things considered. From where we were last August to just another game of golf, it just boggles the mind and warms the heart.

During this entire process, I got a little down on myself when I found out I was the last one standing. Something that after seeing how Fred handled this past weekend, I feel a little ashamed of myself for.

With an apparently new lease on life, Fred inspired me in a way that I could never possibly express the correct gratitude for. When you see a man who knew he was quite probably done with all things living get a second chance, it should open your eyes to which direction you plan to take your own life moving forward.

It certainly did me !

Not that any of these things meant any the less while I was doing them before, but this kids going to really attempt to comprehend the pure pleasure that I derive from ;

Holding my darling Wife in my arms.
Spending quality time with Not-So-Mini-Peb's.
Getting together with good friends.
Waking up in the morning.
Sunrises and Sunsets.
Thunderstorms.
An Orioles song.
The aroma and taste of a good Scotch.

And many, many more Beautiful™ things.

If you perceived this kid as happy before, hang on for the ride! As I'm about to take happy to an entirely new level my friends.

This weekend with Fred has seriously opened my eyes to what happy is really supposed to be about. You see, Fred and I rode in a cart together on Saturday. Fred DID NOT Golf like a Pro for the first three holes. Man was Fred upset! For a second or two even, I thought he may have been considering quitting and walking off the course. It was actually a little tough to watch, to be honest. But then it happened! Suddenly there was a very clear point of recognition and it proudly displayed itself all upon his face.

Fred may be Golfing really poorly, but Fred was on the right side of the Grass!

From that moment at around noon on Saturday, right to the time when they left after breakfast Sunday morning, it was clear. Fred was living while surrounded by loved ones and doing all of the little things that he loved, but had probably become a little too complacent about in the past.

There's an old saying that "Complacency can kill" and it's so very true.

It has become this kids perspective that taking for granted everything that makes you alive, is probably the worst type of death of all.

My sincerest thanks for dropping by....