Dad

Over the weekend a good friend shared with me that very tragically, his 14 year old niece is battling cancer and she's currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Sadly, this is another lesson of impermanence. A wake-up call about just how precious life really is and to not take the time we have here on earth and our good health for granted. In trying to help comfort his family and niece, our friend asked if I ever thought about posting some of my Dad's writings. Thank you, Shawn.

My Dad had many major health struggles during his adult life. After fighting as a fighter pilot in World War II, he was stricken with polio and was in an iron lung for many months, not able to eat or breath on his own. Once he was well enough to go home the doctors told him he would never walk again. Dad wouldn't accept that fate and after many painstakingly months of hard work and rehab, Dad was able to walk with the use of canes. He never believed in the word "can't." Just try and tell him he can't do something and he would totally pull it off. He also battled cancer and is what finally got him in the end. When Dad was diagnosed he was only given a couple of months to live. NOT MY DAD! He refused to accept his early, pending death sentence and lived for 8 YEARS!

Dad was an excellent, motivational writer and speaker. He puts me to shame with his writing abilities and can describe his struggles and triumphs so much more eloquently than I can. There is tremendous wisdom in his words. I'm including some of those links written by my Dad to share with you. These are very powerful, especially if you are facing some sort of crisis. I've found so much peace, love and comfort over the years in reading his words of wisdom. One link I'm including is written by a close family friend, Jim White. The article is written about my Dad and the wonderful man he was. Dad also wrote "Notes to my Grandchildren" which is self-explanatory, he wrote that just after he found out he had cancer. It's a wonderful, little book he had printed up, with words of advice and encouragement for all of his Grandchildren. A special treasure for us all. I haven't figured out the best way to get that posted on here but I'm working on it. Dad finally did get his book published, "The Stone Bruise." That was a project he pursued like all of the rest of his projects, with great passion. It's based on his life experiences, but it's fictional. It's a very captivating story following the life of a young man named, Scott McQuaid. =) Movie producer, Martin Jurow contemplated making it into a movie, but that was not to be. I know I'm biased, but it's definitely a worthy read.

http://www.americanartists.org/art/article_lifes_illusions.htm

http://www.americanartists.org/art/article_on_james_c_mccormick.htm

David and I have come so close to losing our daughter, Cassidy, but not without the fight of our lives. I'm here to tell you, from our own personal experiences, these battles can all be won. Cassidy is living proof of that. My Dad was the best example of what a positive attitude can help achieve. Whether the struggles are with physical limitations, depression, cancer, substance abuse...You can come out better and stronger on the other side. What I've learned from my family, it's all in your attitude. Along with the love, support and prayers of a loving family, a positive attitude can truly help overcome the biggest of all obstacles.

One of my favorite quotes is, "Life isn't about how to survive the storm but how to dance in the rain." =)