Our second time of recent grief came when a 63-year-old friend got sick while playing golf and passed out. He was rushed to the emergency room and found to have a large tumor on his brain. Within a day, he was gone. We learned from his wife that he complained of headaches in the past few months, but he dismissed them. He wasn’t about to go to the doctor for a simple headache or two. (The lesson: Don’t be embarrassed to go to the doctor with what you consider a simple ailment. Doctors know what they are doing; you don’t!)

Our brother-in-law, age 68, has provided our whole family with the best lesson of all. Diagnosed with kidney cancer more than two years ago, he did everything the doctors asked and then some. He made a decision to live life and not to focus on the severity of his cancer. Everyday since he was diagnosed, he thanked God for the opportunity to be with those he loved and do what he loved doing—he was a college professor. His goal was to work until the day he died. He completed his last class for the summer semester a week ago. He and his family were scheduled for their annual vacation at the ocean next week. His spirits were high even as his body was failing. He didn’t complain when chemo ravaged his body and required surgery to remove the toes on his feet. “My feet were too big anyway,” he told all of us. His smile and positive remarks made all of us feel blessed to know him. Good bye, sweet Tom. You truly will be missed!