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Thank You Kung Fu (FINALLY!)

 

I purchased a book for Lori on our last anniversary. Each page has a small little exercise that both of you fill out so you can get to know each other a little better. One of the pages asked us, "What are you the most proud of?" I thought that should have been a pretty simple question for me to answer, but it wasn't. I've had the opportunity to participate in some amazing things, fantastic projects, and incredible random events. But I couldn't figure out what I was the most proud of. And then, like a right hook, it hit me...

It's this damn book. Never have I put this much hard work into a single project, never have I cried so many tears, never have I struggled so much to know what to and not to include. But here we are. It's done.

I have previously said before that no one knew all of the details in this book, even my wife Lori who only discovered the details when she read the book just before it was printed. All that to say, I have emptied my guts into this book. The ridiculous things I've done, the miserable decisions I've made, the horrible moments that have left me in shock. It's just, I feel like it's just all too much. And as I say in the preface, I'm absolutely positive every single one of us has heard crazier stories, but this one is my story to tell.

I get to own this story. 

I hope that you find some sort of wisdom in this book, even if that wisdom is, "TO NEVER EVER DO THIS!" But that is what true stories should be about. Helping express both the good and bad decisions we make and hoping that people can learn from them. I love all of you for participating in this with me! Thank you!

Feel free to stop by The Sparrows Coffee Shop (1035 Wealthy St.) this Saturday to pick up a signed book, whether you paid for it through Kickstarter or you'd like to purchase it then. I'll be there all day! If you'd like to purchase this online, go to Mascot Book's site and purchase it there. 

MY MRI DREAM FINALLY CAME TRUE!

Ok, guys... I am in shock! I just left my MRI about an hour ago and have to report this. I have literally been waiting for this moment to happen for the past 8 years and it JUST happened!

When I first learned I had cancer, I started having regular MRIs which are ridiculously loud. But over time, they started to get better at muffling that sound. And about five years ago I was in shock to learn they now had headphones you could listen to! But for whatever reason, they ONLY use Pandora. So you can ask for a certain artist but all they can do enter that name into Pandora, which means you can only hear your requested artist about every five songs. Nevertheless, progress.

But they would only give you these simple little headphones, so when the MRI machine was running (about 90% of the time you are in there) you could barely hear anything besides the drum beat and bass line. But still, for whatever reason, in this ridiculous technologically advanced hospital that has the finances to purchase multiple MRI machines, they still do not have a Pandora account. So in the year of 2018, when hospitals are focused on patient comfort about everything, you STILL have to listen to the most ridiculous and annoying commercials every three songs or so.

BUT TODAY, as though my MRI team had read my mind and had been preparing for this moment for years, THIS HAPPENED... 

They asked if I wanted music and, of course, I said yes. I told them I want to listen to Josh Ritter. And, as always, "Ripper? Ridder?" I had to spell out his name for her to remember. And then after I lay down, she asked AGAIN who I wanted to listen to. "Josh Ritter, R-I-T-T-E-R." (pause) "Oh, there he is!," as she proudly celebrates her victory of discovering the correct musician.

And then half way through the 45 minute MRI, one of my favorite Josh Ritter songs came on. Similar to my time spent in radiation, having his music playing overcomes these ridiculously expensive and horribly loud machines as it heals my soul. But ON TOP OF THAT, the MRIs loud noises/beeps PERFECTLY MATCHED THE SONG! It was the right harmonizing "note," and the perfect tempo matching every beat in this song. Just think, it could have matched the beat, yet been the wrong "note," or it could have been the right note and not matched the beat. The chances of this happening are nearly impossible.

I shit you not, I started crying (which you'll also find me doing a lot of in my book...). 

Sometimes I am overwhelmed by God's presence in the most awkward points in life, but today, God just wanted to tell me he was listening to the same jam I was. And no, there wasn't a commercial break for online lawyers services, online tax services, or online cooking services in Pandora's music during our joint-jam. But based on what has been happening of late, I would not be surprised if these MRI results show my tumor is growing. Either way, thanks be to God, as He continues to remind me that today, I am still alive.