(You can listen to an audio version of this post here)
I know I just sent a post a few days ago, so I apologize for showing up in your inbox again so soon. But I’ve just returned from Children’s Hospital where my 20-year-old son (also named Ian) had his latest MRI scan. He gets them every three months since completing treatment this past January for a brain tumor. I’m happy to report the scan looked good and we are all very relieved.
But what prompts this little bonus post is a conversation he and I had this morning about how strange it is to be living “three months at a time.” And by strange, I mostly mean how incredibly hard it is. But also how incredibly powerful.
Can you imagine, we wondered together, how the world might be different if everyone had to get three-month scans, knowing each time their lives were in the balance. Because, my son said, as anxiety-producing as this day is, he’s actually grateful for it; for the way it wakes him up and reminds him how precious his life is.
We can get so wrapped up in our To-Do lists and problems that we forget what a blessing it is to be here…to be alive…to see, touch, and taste this miracle…to experience love, joy, beauty…even anxiety!
I’m as guilty of forgetting this as anyone, so don’t hear me preaching at you. I just thought you might appreciate the reminder (since you probably didn’t get the opportunity spend today at the hospital wondering if your whole life was about to come undone) to pause, look around, and no matter what hard things are going on in your life, to feel (really feel) how amazing all of this is and how lucky all of us are.
I also want to let you know that we discovered that the online program I had been invited to co-lead for LUMUNOS with my colleague Elizabeth Jameson fell on the same night as the September 10th presidential debate. We offered to provide a live spiritual commentary on the debate, but they wisely decided to reschedule for the day before, September 9th (6:30-7:30pm mountain time). You can get more information and register at the link below. Hope to see you there!
https://lumunos-bloom.kindful.com/e/living-in-two-worlds
Live spiritual commentary on the September 10th presidential debate? I 'd pay good money to tune in for that. Please reconsider.
Probably should add something serious here: My niece's new wife is a former D-1 basketball player and is as healthy and athletic as they come. Yet prior to her 40th birthday, she had three strokes, the last taking away her ability to speak Spanish (she's bilingual) for six months. She's doing well now and doesn't live with the anxiety every ninety days having to re-up brings for young Ian and the rest of you. What her life experience has taught, though, is that she should live each day with gratitude and to the fullest measure possible. Push plans to the present. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. And while I can't "live it forward" on the same scale she does, I know I can show up in the morning with the same attitude.
Fantastic news about young Ian!! Thank you for the update and the perspective. I love what he said about his feelings around 'Scan days'. BTW, I just left a late comment on your open gate post from a month ago because I only read it this morning. Enjoy the Labor Day weekend!