The gifts...

There were so many gifts from Michael's cancer...he accepted his life for what is was, finally realizing that you can have all the money in the world, but if you don't have your health nothing matters...he accepted his place in his family and enjoyed the time and the visits that he got...he opened his heart, not just to his family, but to strangers as well and received so much love in return...he stopped trying to be someone he wasn't...we spent countless hours together, not always talking, but always touching and it was a beautiful thing...he accepted help from anyone willing to offer it...he mended some fences with Joseph and a few others and all was well...he deepened his relationship with both of his boys and it was so sweet to see...he helped Kathy grieve and she helped him die...he became the person that he was meant to be...he came to terms with his God, and even though he didn't want to leave, he accepted his death as well...Cancer brought us both many gifts...and it was an honor and a privilege to be with the love of my life from the moment of his diagnosis to the moment he took his last breath and every moment in between that I could be there...he helped me to be a better caregiver, a better person...more patient, more kind, more compassionate...his cancer was a gift, but he was a gift, as well, and I am so very thankful for him!!