WHY WE ARE HERE

I have a friend who I consider to be my brother.  We grew up together, riding bikes in Darboy, Wisconsin when there were open streets and roads bordered by cornfields.  We laughed and talked and sometimes competed and completely loved one another.  He is more my brother than two of my siblings who are blood related.  We never lost touch with one another over the course of 42 years.  We have seen one another through every incarnation of our friendship and our love for one another.  It's a testimony to the resilience and eternal nature of friendship.  The lines blur until this wonderful person is so much a part of your life, your heart and your soul that, near or far, they are a constant...with you always.

My brother has prostate cancer.  He is younger than I and he is scared and in the first stage which is grieving.  I have been on the phone encouraging him in the very reason he didn't want to tell me. He cries.

Please, all my male friends, quit the shit.  If you would cry when things hurt and talk about the things that make you nuts and actually share your feelings, I believe that the cancer rate would go down.  In the meantime, I am dealing with my brother.

I would never betray him by sharing his identity so let's just call him "Johnny."  Any wanderer in the world of cyberspace who may happen upon this blog, speak his name and send it on high.  Just speaking the name of someone afflicted with an illness, accompanied with the faith that says someone hears it, impacts the universe.

Johnny has so  much left to give to this world. I know in my heart it is not his time.  I hate what he is facing as far as pain and exhaustion because Johnny, like me, can't stand a day that didn't produce something that makes the world better.  Even if it's just grading a road before the snows come.  Even if it's just learning a new skill that would make me a better employee.

We are partners on a soul level.  I'm not ready to lose him.  He's not ready to go.  So, any and everyone, just say his name..."Johnny"...God will sort him out from the other "Johnny's" because God already knows.

I guess that's all.  I want to ride in with the cavalry and make everything right and there is no cavalry and I have no control.  Except to love him, support him and be there any and every time he asks me to be there.

Pray for my brother.  My prayer is that, somehow, just once, this blog gets some attention.  Regardless, I have just asked the universe to take care of Johnny.  The rest is up to God...and me, since I will be there for him, regardless the day, time or expense. He ain't heavy.  He's my brother.