This year has started out like a kick in the stomach as recent deaths of David Bowie, Alan Rickman and Lemmy from Motorhead have reminded that we still have a long way to go in the fight against cancer. These losses come along with some notable fights against lymphoma in the world of sports especially Andrew Smith, a key player on two Butler University basketball teams that went to the NCAA national title game, who died after a lengthy battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He was 25.
As someone who survived a similar form of cancer it is hard to reconcile and understand why some of us survive and some do not. Why a young man who was an excellent health and a top flight athlete did not respond to treatment while a regular Joe Schmo in his 40s like me is still standing six year later is confusing. It can also make you feel a little guilty.
The only way I know to fight these feelings is to keep busy. Some days I feel like have been blessed with a second chance and I don’t want to waste it. The loss of David Bowie was especially sad but also an affirmation to get back out there and create and do things. Bowie had such an epic life because he was always doing shit. I have a hard time imagining him sitting around playing video games or binge watching some TV show. He had shit to do. My son asked what the big deal was about Bowie, I told him whatever you do, be interested and interesting. Even when I assume that Bowie knew he was dying, he rushed out a final record instead of feeling sorry for himself. He had shit to do and things to say.
Not all of us are as talented as Bowie, Alan Rickman or Lemmy but we all have things to say and do. It is just a matter of getting out there and doing it.
Heroes
I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing, will drive them away
We can beat them, just for one day
We can be heroes, just for one day
And you, you can be mean
And I, I’ll drink all the time
‘Cause we’re lovers, and that is a fact
Yes we’re lovers, and that is that
Though nothing, will keep us together
We could steal time, just for one day
We can be heroes, forever and ever
What’d you say?
I, I wish you could swim
Like the dolphins, like dolphins can swim
Though nothing, nothing will keep us together
We can beat them, forever and ever
Oh we can be heroes, just for one day
I, I will be king
And you, you will be queen
Though nothing will drive them away
We can be heroes, just for one day
We can be us, just for one day
I, I can remember (I remember)
Standing, by the wall (by the wall)
And the guns, shot above our heads (over our heads)
And we kissed, as though nothing could fall (nothing could fall)
And the shame, was on the other side
Oh we can beat them, forever and ever
Then we could be heroes, just for one day
We can be heroes
We can be heroes
We can be heroes
Just for one day
We can be heroes
We’re nothing, and nothing will help us
Maybe we’re lying, then you better not stay
But we could be safer, just for one day
Oh-oh-oh-ohh, oh-oh-oh-ohh, just for one day
The Year My Dad Went Bald 