My Year in Review - Health, Relationships and Faith

Health

When 2023 began I was still in cancer treatment having completed chemo, I was receiving daily radiation treatments before my surgery could be scheduled, which was completed in late March. Since then its been a constant monitoring, blood tests, scans, follow up and check ins...this is the life of a cancer patient. Fast forward to the end of 2023 and I am not at the end of the journey just yet, but getting closer. My health is improved and we continue to be patient for ostomy reversal surgery soon.

Relationships

Over the course of this year, I have been extremely humbled by the outreach I have had from close friends and old friends alike. Even catching up with a few classmates from high school...what a blast of memories those conversations were. But what I have been so very overwhelmed by is the incredible support I have had from peers and colleagues alike. People I have known for 30 or more years and those I have just met. Even my former employer, checking in on me, which was special. What I have come to realize is that I have more people pulling for me than I could have ever imagined before this journey began. And due to me sharing my story on social platforms which I did more so as therapy for myself, I have had outreach from many to tell me how my story inspired them. Even people I have met at industry events who have stopped me to say they appreciate me sharing my journey. Maybe I should not have been surprised and maybe the fact that I am indicates that I truly did not appreciate how many people care about me. People who are more than a business contact, but people who are invested in me and me in them. In the industry I have been involved in for more than 40 years, it is often said, this is a business of relationships...and there were never truer words said. On a personal relationship note, my wife and I have always been the best of friends, we didn't need a health scare to bring us together...we have always been together, for 40 years we have been together. But what it did do for our relationship is to help us realize that we are blessed beyond anything we could have ever expected as a young couple all those years ago. Happiness is us to put it plainly.

Faith

Faith is what ties it all together for me. Without my faith I could not get out of bed in the morning. Over the past year I have leaned hard on my faith, when days are tough, I just asked God to handle it for me. Many know one of my go to statements is, "my banana display is never empty". Which is to say, I am never beaten or defeated...it is always a choice to look at every situation as good or bad. And with my faith guiding me, I always look at what is possible instead of what is not. And 2023 certainly gave me the opportunity consider what the possibilities are as I emerge from this most recent health journey. When this journey started I said then, there is a reason and purpose I would go through this season. I dwell on this daily and look for the message to come to me in Gods time.

In Closing

As 2023 comes to an end, I am thankful for all the year provided and was. As I look back on it, there were highs and there were lows, but the older I get the lows are not as low and the highs are higher than before. Its comes down to outlook and perspective, I choose to be positive in all matters which I truly believe is what has carried me to this point in life.

As Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

Blessings to all, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays