You never kow who your angels are.

One of the most important growth issues for me in both my character and my faith has been the open discussion with other men in numerous Mene's groups. I can remember how good my teenage son felt whenever he had the opportunity to bond or have personal conversations with other young males. It often encouraged me to wonder, why can't that work with older men as well, so I sought out to join a men's group. Over the years I had the opportunity to be a part of several groups from different denominations and quickly learned the benefit of honest communications and good listening. Another thing I learned was how important awareness was to your own well being and character. I leaned from other men and their stories that it was important to be open and share not only for those round you but for those watching silently. The ones on the sidelines, young and old, that quietly just might observe you, your behavior or just listen to what you have to say. It is these people, that when they acknowledge that connection days, weeks or even years later, thay are like angels to you. This blog and the comments I have received have offered me the realization of many of my angels. I had no idea of how many. With all of today's hectic sChemo schedule and then trying to be as normal as possible to be a good OHIO STATE fan, I kept a pretty hectic pace. We convinced Carrie and Bill to come over and have a game night party and lots of ridiculous "game night foods". Cindy of course just looked at me with my Chemo pump hanging over my neck, shaking her head, as i shoved down in bites of White Castles, chicken wings, spicy meat balls, chicken chili, veggies and dip only to name a few. We had a disappointing evening relative to the score but a fun night of unabashed eating pleasure and story telling. I was fearful of the pressure I had put on my stomach with the Chemo and all but figured that would show its outcome sometime during the evening and had made the decision it was worth it. Oh, we also finished of the Black Raspberry Pie with a new pint of Graeters Black Raspberry ice cream. Sinful as it was, oh was it delightful. Sorry I wandered, let me get back to the angels.

I want to just note that one particular story Carrie shared, let me know I have a new angel out there. So as not to embarrass them, I'll just say it's a young man of high school age who while reading my blog found connection with the "Footsteps" story which had always been one of his favorites, and while looking at the picture of me walking on the beach, and understanding my tourney, found himself comfortable enough with his feelings to shed a slight tear. I was moved of course, because I find these little times to be my biggest and most worthwhile gifts. The gift of angels. I often tell the younger ones around me how whenever they take a chance, and reach out and share their feelings, they maybe even find it hard to do, hard to get in touch with their own feelings and emotions. But it is worth it. It is worth it because someone else often receives incredible energy from that slight touch. It took me many years as a adult christian man to realize the value of being open, being kind, caring for others, listening to others, and sharing openly my own feelings and faith. So that's why I get so excited and love when young people step outside their comfort zone and do it. My job, working with young people, has always been to help them realize how they become "angels" to others by those simple moments that they reach out or share honest feelings with others. So Kyle, oh crap I wasn't going to mention his name, you were that angel for me today in a big way. Energy buddy, tons of energy for me, energy I needed and will put to good use. How else do you think I could have put all that food down last night without pain. thanks buddy! You too are loved. God bless you all. PS. I need to share some of that energy to my son Steve, who I know took last night;s loss very hard! Remember Steve, you too once were a GATOR, swimming laps for the greatest swim team of all times.