Comment: “This cancer,” he says, nodding his head, “has been a blessing.”

Wow bear, thank you for sharing. You are blessed to have this man in your life. What a positive spirit, and a positive attitude he has. What he is going through affects not only him, but everyone around him. And everything that happens in this life is for our learning and growth.

Death is not the end, of that I am certain.

In life we experience a multitude of little deaths. I'm currently in the midst of moving, due to unforeseen circumstances. I wish things weren't as they are, but when its time to go, it is time to go. It doesn't compare to the time when I will finally leave this earth, but it is a form of preparation: Of judging what is important, and what is not; of knowing what to take, and what to leave behind. In the final end, the only thing we get to take is our love.

But Joey Butler has impacted even me. I have seen your thread title floating around now for days, but have not clicked it until today. The stress of moving, packing, cleaning, etc. has been taking its toll. In the midst of it all I have forgotten what is true: Everything in life is a blessing.

My love to you bear as you go through this difficult period. One day, we all must face it. Joey is blazing a trail for those of us he has touched, showing how dying can and should be done: Not with fear and regret, but with love and gratitude.

Thank you bear for sharing. You've got me in tears.

For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.