Day +3877: A 2×4 Called Cancer

11 years ago, I went for a two-mile, easy lunchtime run with my dear friend, Amy. She was training for her first marathon, and I was kicking off training for my 5th. A half mile in I had to stop. I couldn’t breathe. I had a metallic taste in my mouth and felt dizzy like I was struggling to not pass out. I waved Amy on, while I paused to try to walk it off. This vulture-like bird was sitting right by the tree next to me on the edge of a cemetery where I stopped, it very eerily stared back at me. I took a picture and, a few days later, would think back and shiver at the connection my mind would try to make with that moment.

My body held a secret: I had Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The coming days would put me on a journey I never would have chosen for myself – or anyone else. But it was a journey that ultimately gave me more blessings than I know how to count.

As many of you know, every year I mark these days. Remembering. Growing. Connecting. Learning. And by giving thanks to my Creator for the gift of whacking me upside the head with a 2×4 called cancer.

If that 2×4 was the only way to get me to learn what I have and become who I am becoming, I’d do it over again and not change a thing.

It comes and goes… in waves.

It Comes and Goes (in waves), Greg Laswell