April 16, 2009 10:50 PM 42 days to go

As I was standing outside today and watering the springtime plants that are now coming to life once again, I got to thinking how, if things had gone for me as they well could have, I would not be here to enjoy the beauty of this renewed life. It certainly gives one pause to think that what you are looking at is something that you might very well have not been expected to see again. I tend to get wrapped up in and dwell upon the mundane activities of my day. But, I have to admit that, this year, I view quite differently the spectacle of the earth coming alive once more. And, I know that I will view quite differently the seasonal transitions that we so much look forward to as well. Everyday is a gift to me and I, in my limited capacity, will do my best to repay God for a gift that I know that I can never repay.

I know that each of you will take the daily changes in stride and I can fully understand that as I did so myself. But when I look at my condition and compare that to the passing of my coworker friend a few weeks back who had a disease similar to mine - it puts it all in perspective and it makes me wonder, at times, why have I been so fortunate? How can I convince you all to look at things a little differently? I don't think that I can. The daily grind of everyday life seems to take the luster off of what we have all been given - life itself! I know that baptism is a rebirth into the life of Christ but a bone marrow transplant is a physical rebirth that can't help but change your outlook forever. I do not recommend that each of you get one! I hope that you can vicariously experience the wonder of it all through this blog.

It's not only the seasons that I view differently. This Sunday is Greek Easter which we will celebrate together here. How different the day would be for everyone else if I were not here to join in the celebration(it's most certainly not because I am the life of the party)!

Today a friend came to visit and we had a good time talking sharing stories and ideas. I did help him with his problem of how to record your voice on the computer with a microphone. So, even though I am constrained to living within these 4 walls, I can still provide assistance to others in some capacity. It does help the ego a bit to know that you are still able to offer some of your expertise to help someone overcome a problem.

To conclude with the mandatory medical update - there is still no change in my medical condition...

Bob