Cheating Death

An insightful blog by fellow writer, Pilot, has given me cause to think about how lucky many of us are in spite of the fickle nature of life and death. Risk-taking behaviors can lead some down the path of destruction, while others seem to get off scot-free. Is there any logical rhyme or reason for this? Probably not. If there is, I haven't figured it out yet. Why does one person pay with their life for a moment, or even a lifetime of foolishness, while another avoids paying the ultimate price?

My father, a lifetime smoker, is one of the lucky ones. He has, in essence, cheated death, and thankfully no longer smokes. I came so close to losing him a year and a half ago, it still scares me to think of it. He is the lone cancer survivor in our family, and is now doing so well that I can't hardly keep up with him. It is as if he has been given a new life, and in reality, he has. He is now making up for lost time and is enjoying everything and everyone around him. He, and we, have been truly blessed. The experience has made me realize that some risks just aren't worth it. My mother was not so fortunate, nor my grandfather. Cigarettes have taken away so many of the people that I love. I don't know why my father was spared, but every day I am so glad that he was. A girl needs her daddy, and I just wasn't ready to let him go. Will I ever be? Probably not. I just enjoy every day I have with him now. A year and a half ago, I did not think we would have this time together. Now we are celebrating a year and a half of his cancer-free status.

And there's your rainbow after the rain. Some things are worth fighting for. Love is the best reason to cheat death.