“This too shall pass.”
It’s a phrase I have mumbled to myself quite a few times throughout my 38 years on earth.
And, so far, it has always been true. Good and bad, things change. All I can do is keep moving forward, hopefully with grace. Hopefully, a little bit wiser.
It has been 149 days since my last chemo treatment. To put it in perspective, “The Bachelor” has come and gone since I went into remission. So, why am I still holding on the word “cancer?” Why is it still in my daily vocabulary?
I don’t fully know the answers, but today it stops. This is my goodbye.
No more using the excuse, “I’m just getting over cancer.” No more looking at my scars and seeing a broken me.
I am a repaired, rebuilt, stronger, wiser me. I am a more grateful, thankful me.
As I move on from this chapter in my life, it’s time for me to also move on from my column on North Penn Now. But, before I do, I want to take a moment and talk about what I learned.
I learned that even at the scariest of times, there is peace. I learned the power of strength when I felt too weak to move. I learned the meaning of community when I felt alone. And I learned unconditional love when I needed it the most.
I found so many heroes in this journey: my kids, for standing strong and being courageous through all of this; my friends and family, for offering me selfless support time and time again; the community, for putting me on their shoulders and carrying me across the finish line; and most importantly, Julie, for always using the word “we.” She will never quite know what that word meant to me, especially at my most alone.
I witnessed my children become my caretaker, my friends and family sit patiently by my side, my community open up their doors and hearts. I witnessed my girlfriend give me unconditional love. As crazy as it is, I’m thankful for the past year. So much good has come from the ashes.
To all of the readers, thank you for letting me do this. Thank you for your feedback and encouragement. I’m grateful for all of you.
Julie, “we” did it. We made it to the other side. Thank you for being a flashlight in the dark tunnel.
Goodbye, cancer.
Editor’s note: North Penn Now would like
to offer a sincere thank you to Buddy Harris for sharing his thoughts and
experiences on his road to recovery. His column touched the hearts and minds of
many of our readers, and though we are sad to see the column come to an end, we
are ecstatic to see him moving onward and upward.
See also:
Our Rebuild: Big Inspiration From Small Sources
Our Rebuild: "Daddy Has Cancer..."
Our Rebuild: An Unexpected Hero
Our Rebuild: (Almost) Beaten By A Hair
Our Rebuild: Climbing Past The Plateaus
Our Rebuild: Unity in Our Differences
Our Rebuild: The Lasting Legacy Of 'Tyler's Ride'
Our Rebuild: A Vacation Performance In Florida
Our Rebuild: Juice And Science Stuff
Our Rebuild: Finding Inspiration In Frustration
Our Rebuild: Make Yourself A Priority
Our Rebuild: The Journey Begins Today
Comedian Buddy Harris To Write Column For North Penn Now
Local Comedian Overwhelmed By Support Following Cancer Diagnosis
