The Roller Coaster Called Life. Ride It Well.

I turned 61 yesterday, but instead of celebrating with a quiet family dinner, I spent another day on the stem cell transplant floor at Northwestern University Hospital in Streeterville, Chicago. It wasn't the celebration I had envisioned, but it was profound in its own way.

For those who don't know, my wife has been battling multiple myeloma for a better part of this year. Right now, we're in the midst of a stem cell transplant, and my birthday just happened to coincide with this treatment. Last night, she felt bad that I was spending my birthday in a hospital, as she dealt with the side effects of chemotherapy and the stem cell reinfusion. “We would never have imagined that we would be here,” she said.

Her words resonated with me. She was right. We never imagined this future.

Most humans, when we think about our future, we rarely, if ever, picture ourselves in dire straits. We tend to imagine only the best outcomes. We plan for joyous occasions - our children's birthdays, their weddings, the arrival of grandchildren. We create bucket lists filled with exciting adventures and places to explore. We envision a future where everything falls into place, where we are healthy, happy, and fulfilled.

But life doesn’t always cooperate with our dreams. It doesn’t follow the script we’ve written in our minds. Life is a roller coaster—full of unexpected twists and turns, highs and lows, moments of exhilaration, and periods of despair.

The journey up is often slow and steady, it mirrors how we often view our future - a gradual climb towards our goals and dreams. But the way down can be fast and terrifying, a plunge that leaves us breathless and shaken. This is life's curveball - the unexpected diagnosis, the sudden loss, the unforeseen challenge that turns our world upside down. Yet, just like a roller coaster, life’s downturns are not the end—they are simply part of the ride.

So, how do we ride this roller coaster? How do we navigate the inevitable lows that come our way?

First, accept that life is not a straight path. It is filled with unexpected detours which will challenge us in ways we never thought possible. Instead of resisting these, we need to learn to embrace them. Don’t fear life’s unpredictability; accept it and respect it.

Second, cultivate resilience. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity. It’s about recognizing that while we don’t have control over what happens to us, we do have control over how we respond. Resilience allows us to endure the lows, knowing that they are temporary, and that the ride will eventually take us back up.

Third, find joy in the ride, despite its scariness. When life throws a curveball, we can choose whether we scream—in fear, or in exhilaration. It’s up to us to find positive moments, even in the darkest times. Because in every ride, there are still ups ahead.

Finally, cherish the people who you ride with. The love and support of family and friends are what make the journey bearable. Yesterday, reminded me of this in the most profound way. The birthday messages, the calls, the outpouring of care—they are all reminders that I am not alone, that we are not alone. We are part of a community that lifts us up, that holds our hands through the highs and the lows.

This epiphany shows the importance of perspective. Life is a roller coaster –unpredictable, sometimes frightening, and often overwhelming. But it’s also beautiful, filled with moments of connection, love, and joy.

So, when you find yourself at the top of the ride, savor the view. And when you’re plunging down, hold on tight, throw up your hands, and scream with all your might. Because this is life. This is the ride. And it’s the only one we’ve got.

Ride it well.