He sat across from me in the booth. We were half way through breakfast. James asked, “So, how are you?”
I paused.
I reflected.
I realized.
It had been 20 degrees for 2 weeks straight. The trivialities of my life flashed before my eyes.
Earlier in the week I attended a memorial for a friend, Chriss. He died at 40. He won the cancer lottery. A rare and highly lethal cancer he’d beaten once, came back.
He never complained. He radiated hope and optimism regardless of the pitch of the hill before him. He reflected light and faith. He taught me something.
Choice.
The power to choose.
He chose to fight with dignity. He took the high road in his fight. In a worldly sense, he lost the battle. In the heavenly sense, he won the war. He demonstrated we can choose how we respond emotionally and spiritually even when we are powerless physically in this world.
“I own a f@%&ing coat. I’m great!”, I responded to my friend, James, across the booth.
“I have car that start and runs reliably. I own a house that has heat. I have a wife who is on my side and who is supportive of me and who fights to protect and preserve our marriage. My kids are healthy and love me. I’m awesome!” I could focus on the trivialities of my life. The minor struggles and frustrations could be magnified. But what good would that produce.
There are days when I want to answer differently. I reflect on my friend, Chriss’ strength of attitude. I choose.
“I own a coat. I’m great!”
