Thursday, December 13, 2007

Living life

First off, the Mitchell report on steroid use in baseball came out today. I can only say one thing about the results. Duh!!! Leave it to the government to spend lots of time and money to find out something that everybody already knows.

Now back to your regularly scheduled blog...

The other day, Patti wrote an eloquent, touching, and thought provoking post about how surviving cancer affected her life. It got me thinking about my life.

When I was 15, I contracted Crohn's disease. I found out that I was going to be sick for the rest of my life. I have been through more hospital stays and surgeries than I can remember. I missed one third of high school and never finished college. I've even had CPR performed on me. You'd think I'd be kinda down about all this.

Two great things keep me going.

First off, I met the Lord at about the same time i met Crohn's. His love sustains me through the hard times.

Second, chronic illness is a great teacher.

If I had known what day to day life was going to be like, I might have given in to despair.

Chron's disease had taught me flexibility and adaptability. Me life is made up of changed plans and canceled appointments. When I go to bed, I might have to go to the hospital the next day. I just don't know.

As a result, I don't set goals. Unless they are really bizarre one's. Like going on a game show(Did that one) or writing a book and getting it published. (Working on that one)

I just take life one day at a time and try not to miss an opportunity to have a good time. I spend time with my wife. I travel a lot. I work with the youth at church. I wear aloha shirts every day. Life is just too darn short.

When I'm on vacation, I volunteer for everything. I've marched in several parades in Disney parks. I've been in a pie eating contest in Avonlea village.

I have gone swimming with dolphins, snorkeled with sea turtles, parasailed over Maui, and gone hiking through a bamboo forest. I've seen Jimmy Buffett, Billy Joel, Elton John, and John fogerty in concert. I've seen the sunrise from a 10,000 foot mountain, gotten lost in central park, sat in the cell that held St. Thomas Moore, and have been skiing in the rocky mountains.

The Bible says that God wants us to have an abundant life. I have done my best to live life abundantly. And in everything glorify him.

I know this has been a bit of a ramble, but I do have a point. Never miss a chance to jump for joy. Never miss a chance to breathe deeply. Never miss a chance to dance in the rain.

Thought for the day -

'Live like you were dying' - Tim McGraw

11 Comments:

Blogger Patti said...

i too set odd goals because they are great fun #1)when people find out you want to teach yourself drywalling and #2)when you reach them when others thought you nuts.

i learned something from you today: you'd make a great next door neighbor!

5:06 PM  
Blogger Drewpy Drew said...

Patti - That is one of the best complements ever.

So what's next? Wetwalling?

5:44 PM  
Blogger kay said...

thank you for sharing drew. and thank you for the reminder to really live the life God gave us.


and a GAME SHOW!! really? which one. that's a whole new post right?

3:43 AM  
Blogger Drewpy Drew said...

Kay - Already posted. Look in the really old stuff for Aug. 2006. The 15th thru the 21st tells the story.

BTW - Aug 2006 also has some of my song lyrics posted. Let me know what you think.

1:55 PM  
Blogger B. said...

Everyone needs to hear a story like yours.

2:48 PM  
Blogger Steve H said...

baseball paid for the study not the govt...

6:09 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good all around advice :)

7:50 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Lovely post Drew...thanks for sharing it with us....puts me in mind of Carpe Diem!! Oh and of course...Hakuna Matata!!

All the best to you and yours over this holiday season and beyond into the new year.....:)

7:00 AM  
Blogger Steve H said...

hey drew - merry christmas!!!

4:37 AM  
Blogger Patti said...

merry christmas to you and yours...

9:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas!!! Hope you have a great one!!! We sure did!!!


Thanks for the reminder to live life to the fullest....


rr


I moove my books at www.moovingbooks where do you moove yours?

11:49 PM  

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