Life is good

Life is good.

Sitting in my Mom’s room as she peacefully sleeps, more than ever I’m struck with that simple thought. Life is good.

Obviously, the main reason I have that on my mind is due to my Mom’s remarkable progress through her bone marrow transplant. This morning, her white cell count was 4.6. Her platelets have raised to the point that they are now in the normal zone. And to make it even better, after 14 days quarantined in her hospital room, today she was allowed to leave the room and walk around a little bit.

The battle is by no means won, but it is being won. And it was a glorious day, just as yesterday was, and just as tomorrow will be.

Even more than that, however, is the fact that you can’t go through an experience like this without being fundamentally affected. In five months, there has just been so much to appreciate and to find encouragement from. And it has all led to the most basic conclusion.

Life is good.

I think about all those in our lives who have done so much to be a part of my Mom’s fight against leukemia. This has been, and will continue to be a story with many players, with all roles having importance.

I remember a woman named Laura Molina, driving 100 miles to be a part of our bone marrow drive because she had lost someone dear to her and coming to our drive was part of her healing process.

I remember the first time I spoke to Pat Conlee from the National Bone Marrow Program, and that her first instinct was to be a friend.

I remember everyone who showed up at the bone marrow drive, and how the day became one of positivity and of the joy of life.

And the Shakers and other Internet friends, who have given me and my family so much love from all over the globe.

There was the recent day when my parents’ old friends came to visit my Mom, and afterward watching their eyes light up when they discussed their trip to New York City.

Because life is good.

I think of a good man who I’ve never met in person – Emru Townsend – who is also battling leukemia. After three tries to get into remission, he’s still not there. But that hasn’t stopped him and his sister from working tirelessly toward trying to educate people about the bone marrow registry and its importance, especially to those of African heritage. Emru and Tamu have saved lives.

And I think of the amazing and kind people here at the City of Hope, from doctors to nurses to those that clean the floors. They all help in the healing process.

And our long-time friends Stan and Virginia, who have opened their home and hearts to us.

And the squirrel that took a peanut from my hand the other day. And the bunnies in my parent’s backyard. And Max, Jack, Duchess, Afonso and Harry and all the other animals I adore.

I think of my boss and friend Mark, who just today saw his third child come into the world.

And of a 48-year-old man, whose giving spirit is giving my Mom the chance to enjoy her life, her husband, kids, grandkids and great-grandchild for many more years to come.

I think of my family, and how we’ve laughed, cried and grown closer than ever.

And I think of my wife. My beautiful Emilia, who has helped me become a man and who has only offered my Mom encouragement and love and has supported and pushed for me to be at my family’s side even though it has meant 12 weeks away from her.

And, of course, there’s my Mom, who has endured so much and is coming through it all. Again. Death has stared her right in the face, and she has been relentless in her fight to live.

Because life is good.

We are a different breed. We care about our country and want freedom for all. We want equality. And it affects us greatly when we see so much that’s bad with the world. But even when politics, personal lives, war, sexism, homophobia and all the other things we despise get us down or anger us, we should never forget that there is a glorious world out there.

Life is good. It is worth fighting for. And more than that, it is worth living and enjoying. We are all miracles, incredible creatures that have been given the ability to enjoy all the good that life can bring. But as I’ve found, even the bad times can give you strength, perspective and even joy.

We are complicated creatures, we humans. But we have been given the ability to enjoy all the great things that life has to offer. And the greatest of these things is love. And the love we’ve felt from all of you has been immense and overwhelming. And it has proven, without a shadow of a doubt, that life truly is good.

Thank you all, so very much, for being a part of this journey with me.

With love,

Bill