Going into the 4th quarter...Daddy's Speech

Here is my Dad's 4the quarter speech I received a couple days ago from him...


Hello Me Lorla,
Coach Dad here, and decided to get this little chat to you since the 3rd quarter just ended Friday with your chemo being 3/4ths of the way done now.
Going into the 4th quarter a few things have changed in the game plan. For one, you told your other coaches to take you out of the game so you could concentrate your full energies toward eradicating the internal fight you are waging daily.
I saw on ESPN the other day a Dallas Cowboys player vehemently arguing with the team’s trainer about going back into the game and the trainer would not okay it. The player took quite a hit after a reception and was not ready to go back in as the risks were too great. He was to be commended for his dedication of wanting to get back into the game for his team but the powers to be just would not approve it.
Likewise, Dr. Powell finally strongly suggested to not get back into the game due to there being too many risks fighting this battle while trying to maintain a full-time job that especially did not stop when you left work. You finally agreed to make that call and some of us know it was not without many tears, consternation, and prayer. The words dedication and team from the above paragraph were the main stumbling blocks for you also in accepting this fate of scaling back your commitment.
And I know this latest scare with the growth on the breast was another factor that was weighing on everybody’s minds and praise God that was what it was and can be dealt with later.
That scare, and realizing you were better off taking a leave of absence, were unforeseen circumstances that you handled extremely well and those are more examples of adversity that have been put into your journey. It is how you handled the scare, and the thinking that went into the decision to take a leave of absence, that again makes this coach realize you are sticking to your strengths and your faith in handling this journey.
Going into the 4th quarter of this journey you are still positioned to win this. Soon, the game will be over somewhat with the chemo and radiation behind you. We know that God continues to heal you and we cannot wait for that final announcement a few years down the road that states you have won the final victory because you are now cured of this current cancer.
A few years ago I read a book about NBA’s Coach Phil Jackson and his roots in Zen. One of the takeaways from that book for me was how to live/be in the “Now.’’ Laura, one thing you have taught many people with your blog is to live in the now and appreciate your life in more ways than you ever thought you could. A longtime friend of mine from Michigan whose son was dealing with a similar journey as yours said that his family’s motto was the following and I think that exemplifies what you have come to realize and have helped many of us to also see: The motto was – Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, Today is a Gift and that is why they call it “The Present.” And to all this, General Robert E. Lee would have added a belief of his personally and militarily: “Carpe Diem” - (Seize the Day!).
Well, what a past 3+ months this has been to get into the 4th quarter. I still cannot imagine how this plays out every day at home with Andrew and you. All I know is that your Faith and Love have gotten you two this far. To think of all the things your mother and I went through when we were first married (okay, mainly her getting used to me because remember we both say she is one of God’s angels) compared to what you guys have gone through together it is simply amazing and truly divine. Sometimes, I fear these days there are not many Andrew’s out there who would have handled this like he had to in his role for you. Has he bought into our family motto yet – Nothing Ever the Easy Way!? You guys are truly a special couple and special people to all who know and love you.
And, I have to say in closing, another aspect of your recent blogs have been how you have such deep compassion and empathy for others who are on similar journeys that have entered their lives. I told you about a co-worker of mine who told another young educator who has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's-Lymphoma to read your blogs. It is now my prayer that this young woman who I also know will find your blog inspirational and informative in ways that can be of comfort to her. Maybe, these are some of the reasons why you were lead to write them in the first place.
And yes, you have my permission if you want, to post this on your blog because if you do I will take this opportunity in closing to say to all of you out there who read it that Laura’s mother and I are so grateful for the network of people who have stood by Laura with your kindness, your various kinds of support, and your prayers. I could not have assembled a finer or better team to surround her with in this and we are here for all of you should you ever need us.
Catch ya post-game with another note Me Lorla -
Love,
Dad