Just Being Here

It is the first of May. A Thursday. A partly rainy spring day. I have been a cancer survivor for four months now. [I was told early on that cancer survival begins with diagnosis.] For four months, I have been engaged in this battle with Ewing's sarcoma. It appears that I am winning the battle, but some days I am not so sure. I'll leave that up to God (as if I have a choice).

This is the part of my cycle where my blood counts are somewhat back to normal and I am able to get out of the house (for reasons other than seeing a doctor, having a test, or getting an injection). I call it my "frolic" time.

Today, I went on some errands with my wife. I have to sit in the back seat so I can keep my leg outstretched. And I am trying to avoid being a backseat driver. I sat in the car while she did her errands. We bought sandwiches and parked near the park to eat lunch.

Later, we picked up our daughter and younger son from school, then did some shopping. My daughter needed to buy a dress. So I sat in the car, napped, and did a few NY Times crossword puzzles while the rest of them went into the mall.

We ate dinner at Panera Bread, then headed home.

Now we are at home and everyone is about their school-night business. My wife is picking up - there is always picking up to do. My daughter is working on a school project. My son is getting ready for bed. He just came in to show me his school papers from today. In a few minutes, after his teeth are brushed, he will crawl up on the sofa bed for me to read to him. It's Winnie the Pooh tonight. And Tigger too.

For most people, this is probably not a description of a very exciting day. For me, I enjoyed being out and being more a part of a family activity. Just being there is important. For my son. For my daughter. For my wife. And for me. I am thankful that I get to be there. To be here.

It's really just another ordinary day. But I get to be here. Just being here is important.