Happy Valentine's Day

January is finished and February is going fast!

I had a visit with my throat doctor today - Dr Vic Patel is the greatest! I've had a spot on my neck that came up in November. It had been bothering me so I ask him about it today. It seems that even though I have been off radiation for almost 3 years, that my neck is still burning. So it is another item to my list of nuisances that I have to put up with to stay on this earth and to go where God says I need to be.

I am asking you to pray for my grandson - Walker. He has really been sick lately and can't seem to shake whatever he has. Goes in for more tests on Thursday. This is the young boy (age 5) that has such a wonderful view of life. To go through what he goes through and has since he was born is amazing. I just cherish every moment I have with him. I know Walker has walked with God in his young life and is such a witness! The words that come out of his mouth just blow me over. He talks of heaven. You just have to talk to him and visit with him to get the full impact of the wisdom that can come out of his mouth. But please pray for him. I pray for God's will in his life every day.

Valentine's Day is really overrated to me. Sorry ladies. But I believe that one (man) should give flowers and gifts all the time. I think those gifts and flowers carry alot more weigh because I give them because I want to not because I have to. Have you ever noticed how flower and chocolates prices fall on Feb 15!! That's not to say I don't do flowers but I don't just do them once a year. It is the little things we do for our loved ones that matter. It's the small comment about her looks, the encouragement, being the listener, massages, the hug, the kiss, the holding hands. Like I have said before, we need to slow down and smell the roses and that means spending a few special moments with our spouses and loved ones to let them know how special they are. I intend to continue to do this for all my loved ones. Hope you do to.... Later. Steve

New year

It has been a long time since I have posted. I keep getting people who tell me they are still looking at the blog!!!

As I have thought about what to say, I have thought alot about my bout with cancer and what it has done to me and for me. But more of that later. As of this date, I weigh 145 pounds. My last check up was last October and everything checked out for the good. So it has been 2 years and 6 months since I had my last treatment. My taste buds have still not come back, my feet still tingle all the time, my head rings constantly, the tips of my fingers are still somewhat numb and I continually bite the sides of my mouth where my teeth used to be!! LOL That being said, I get to enjoy the everyday aspects of life today, so it is a small problem to be able to enjoy life. I am still involved in Scouts, get to watch my grandkids grow up and participate in their lives on a regular basis. I get to use my hands to upgrade our home. I get to visit with Lucille on a daily basis supporting each other.

What has cancer done for me you say? Having been close to death, my attitude about life has changed. I don't sweat the small stuff. I have more trust in God and that he will take care of me and my loved ones. I try harder to be more of a witness for God. It's like I tell my Boy Scouts, there are always people who watch you that you never know are watching. And you are an influence on them, good or bad. I cherish the same moments whether it is opening a door for someone, complementing someone, doing something that no one else knows about to brighten up someone's day. You know, according to the Myian calendar, the world will end this next December. How prepared are we if in fact it does end. Have we gotten our house in order? And if we have gotten it in order and the world does not end, have we wasted the year? The answer is no. In fact, December 22 will be a great day. We will either celebrate life with Christ or we will have another joyful day to spend with our friends and family. Either way we win!

Don't let a sickness have to change you. Just enjoy life. Don't sweat the small stuff. Keep Christ by your side. Enjoy each day with your loved ones and friends. Help each other. Do something for someone without putting your name on it. I thought I had faith but did not realize that how shallow it was until I got cancer. God has a plan for us. We just have to trust.

I hope everyone has a great 2012. Life as I know it has changed for the better. Has yours?

Belated Valentine's Day

I can't believe that weare 45 days into the new year. As Lucille will tell you, I don't do anything for Valentine's Day. Overrated in my opinion. But I do believe in doing small things all through the year.

Frozen shoulder. Have you ever heard of it? I had not until I got it. I have had this problem since last fall. Was concerned it was cancer related but alias I found out it was old age and a body that is wearing out. Only thing to release the pressure is rest. So I just keep exercising to keep the arm limber. So goes life!

We have so much to be thankful for. As much as we appreciate all that others do for us and as much as we thank them or pray for them or give gifts of appreciation, we (I) don't think people enough. People helping people is what life is about. We cannot do it alone and needs constant help from people and from God. So this belated Valentine's Day is to again thank all of you for your constant prayer and support. I am 18 months out of the last treatment and have another 18 to go to be in full remission. Each day I am given the opportunity to help people in a small way. And each day I thank God for keeping me here to help in such a small way.

Smell the roses and savor life!

What's to be happy about?

Ihave really thought long and hard about this writing. As of today, my second grandson is in the hospital going to have a biopsy on his lung. This involves cutting him open tomorrow to get a 1" x 3" piece of his lung. Please keep this young child and his family in your prayers.

And so....

I'm happy that I have no taste in my mouth,
I'm happy that my tongue sticks to the top of my mouth each night,
I'm happy that I have tingling feet and low circulation in my feet (cold all the time),
I'm happy that I have numbness in my finger tips,
I'm happy that my shoulders always hurt,
I'm happy that I don't care for sweets (but not really! LOL),
I'm happy that I have a salt taste in my mouth,
Im happy that I have a constant ringing in my ears,
I'm happy that my hair stands straight up on one side of my head

And to this you ask, What in the world could he be happy for?

I'm happy because I would not be here today if I did not have these effects from radiation and chemo. Thanks to the wonderful doctors, nurses, supporters, and God, I am here today to relate to Walker and his troubles. I'm here to listen and counsel others on their troubles. In fact so much, my troubles seem minor!

I'm happy that I have a God that always stands beside me, and he carries me (even when I don't want to be carried!).

As I told one of my Boy Scouts, people need people. We cannot do anything alone. It always takes a group. It always takes time from those we love to care for others. But what would life be without each other!

Take time to slow down and smell the roses..............

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Well, Christmas is over. Presents are unwrapped, family visited and getting for a new year.

My friend Scott had his eye surgery and is on road to recovery. My grandson is still needing prayers and will need them for months to come. He is a strong little guy.

This is the time of year that I reflect about the past year - the good, the bad and the indifferent. The things that I accomplished, the things I did not accomplish and works in progress. It is also the time that I will make my goals for 2011.

We have so much to be thankful for. As long as we keep our eyes on God then we will be able to accomplish the task. I did not say it would be easy, but the task can be done. I hope all of you have your eyes on God and that you are able to accomplish your goals for this next year. May it be full of blessings and goodwill. May we all pass the tests that we create. And may we all recongize the opportunties that are presented to us.

Christmas season

Well I missed posting at Thanksgiving, so will get a head start on Christmas. Can't believe that it is here already! AN exciting time of year.

I now weigh about 138 pounds and holding. Still having numbness in fingers and tingling in toes ,salt taste in my mouth and ringing in my ears. But my energy is good and spirits are pretty good. Still have bad days but fewer than before. I have so much to be thankful for. I have friends who are going through cancer as I write this today. Scott from San Angelo is in Boston for treatment of cancer behind his eye. Please say a special prayer for this man. He has a wife and children (under 12) and is going to need all the support he can get over the next few months.

But you know God has a way of using us. Every day I seem to be helping folks that need something, whether it is a few dollars or a listening ear or words of encouragement. Is that what we are supposed to do, help each other. In todays time, everyone has forgotten about slowing down and helping others. It's sad that some only do it at Christmas. I think God wants us to do this 24/7! It doesn't have to be much. I find myself at peace after these good deeds. I only hope the benefactor gets as much comfort as I do.

Family is all coming home so will not be on road much. I plan on enjoying these holidays with my wife, kids and grandkids and friends.

Life is always throwing a curve at us. Are we going to just stop because it is not what we want or are we going to continue on and do the good things God wants from us. Each of us has a special gift. Are you using yours? I know I don't use mine enough. A good new year resolution.

Merry Christmas everyone.....May God Bless each of you......

Holiday season

Halloween has come and gone and now Thanksgiving is here upon us. Today is Veterans Day and my Boy Scout Troop puts out over 500 flags on this day and 5 other national holidays during the year. This year today seems to be extra special. Alot of media attention for today to honor those soldiers who have served to protect our freedom and our way of life. My hat goes off to each and every soldier. Our troop is supporting the 176th Engineering Bridage this season. If you have time, give a small gift to a soldier. Even a card means alot to these guys. We enjoy our rights because they give up their holidays to make sure we get our holidays.

As for me, I am doing pretty good. Still have issues with my shoulders. Guess it will be with me from now on. Just have to work through it. But the good news is that my last cat scan found no cancer. Also had prostrate and colon exam and those also came up clean. So other than getting old I am pretty good shape. I still have tingly feet and my fingers are a little numb and my taste buds are still trying to make a comeback, but hey, it could be alot worse!

I would ask each of you to say a prayer for one of my grandsons, Walker. He is having additional medical problems. He is an energic 4 year old and loves life in spite of his problems. It's a lesson we can all learn from in that in spite of his condition he is happy (most of the time) and a joy to be around.

As I get ready to go into this holiday season, I have been reflecting my life the last couple of years. I am here for a reason. I still don't know why but God has a plan for me and I may never know if I have passed the test. So each day, I get out of bed (roll out of bed is more like it!) and approach each day as a new opporunity to help someone, whether it be physically, mentally or through prayer. My patience is alot better now. This last Sunday was the first day in a couple of months that I just relaxed (well, almost). Nothing had to get done. I have alot to get done but took the time to smell the roses, to feel the velvet of the rose and to admire the beauty of God's work. Do I slow down enough? The answer is probably no, but I hope that my activities are doing God's work and that I am making a difference in someone's life.

Going camping this weekend. Have about 20 boys and adults going to Big Spring to camp, put up bird houses, have a flag retirement ceremony and have a campfire. It will be a little chilly but it will be a good weekend to help these young men learn something about themselves and for me to learn more about me. I think the greatest pleasure in life is knowing that you make a difference in someone's life, however small. There is no reward, just a piece of mind that I have helped someone this day to make their life a little better.

Hope all of you have a great day and great week. God Bless Each of YOU this day! Steve