HEALTH, THE REAL ISSUE

When I was eight years old I said to my grandmother that I wished she was rich so I could have whatever I want. My grandmother looked at me and said "I am rich, I have my health". At eight years old I had no idea what she meant by that. It certainly wasn't going to get me that pool in my backyard or a trip to Disneyland.

At 22 years old I was complaining to my roommate's boyfriend that money was tight and I wished I had enough to pay off my bills and buy a new car. (my credit card bill probably amounted to something in the neighborhood of $400.00) He said "You are healthy so you have no worries".

Of course, this made me think of my grandmother so I asked him what in the heck he meant. He said "I know a guy with terminal cancer. He has nothing else to think about and nothing else to worry about".

At that moment I promised to always keep things in perspective. I haven't always been successful at that but every once in a while my grandmother's words come back to 'slap me in the face' and so do my friend, Jeff's.

I could list you my woes and more than likely you would say "well that is a valid reason to be blue" but in the over all scheme of things I truly am rich. There is a young woman out there that managed to put that into perspective for me. So I say to her "I do not know you except to maybe say hello but you are a blessing. The life you touch may be the one you least expect. My thoughts and prayers are with you."