HIS DOCTRINE

 “Sal”, fifty-eight, was diagnosed with stomach cancer two years ago.  He has gone through so many tests and treatment to no avail.  His doctors have recently told him that his cancer is rapidly aggressive and continues to grow.  Sal recently has undergone radiation and chemotherapy.  Sal shared that the side effects were so unpleasant.  It was then that he chose to stop all treatment. 

Sal so sees himself fully living each of his days as shared, “I am not dying; I am living”.  I so believe him as all of us are alive until we take our last breath.  Sal lives with his wife, “KC”.  They have been together for ten years.  Sal was married before to a woman who had the same name as his current wife.  It was then that he started to call her by her initials.  At one point, I said her full name, and Sal quickly, with laughter, corrected me. 

Sal has an amazing look at life.  He is so positive and loving.  He sees life as a gift and so easily embraces each moment.  In addition, he used a lot of great humor to cope.  He had me laughing so hard.  It was great!!! 

I hope that our paths will cross again.  Sal and KC each had such a beautiful presence about life; about family; about their relationship; about it all.  Sal definitely is a teacher by his words; by his actions; by his love for life.  Way to go, Sal!!!!

HIS DOCTRINE

He is not yet sixty years old,

but has had a long and amazing life.

He came to America at age twelve.

He has grasped the culture; the beliefs.

 

He was diagnosed with cancer two years ago.

He has had radiation and chemotherapy.

The aggressive disease has continued to grow.

He accepts it all, while happily embracing life.

 

He knows it all may end too soon,

but he is living each day fully, with no regrets.

He did speak of appreciation for his family;

his friends; his tremendous support.

 

He had me laughing so hard

as used a lot of sarcastic humor to cope.

When asking about funeral arrangements;

“I plan on donating my body to Science Fiction”.

 

But what truly helps him cope is his spirituality.

His sacred beliefs have eradicated any fears of death.

He so strongly knows his truth about afterlife;

while living and embracing each of his days.

 

“Religion is for those who are afraid

               to go to Hell.

Spirituality is for those who have already

               been there.”

 

His simple doctrine.

               Nothing more.