Meet Buster: My Big, Fat Tumor

My girls adore their uncles and they love to hear stories.   They ask me to reminisce and give them all the details.  What did you do?  What were you like?  Where did we go?  Who got in trouble?  What did you play?  ….

We had a family gathering at Mom’s house last night.  We were celebrating Christmas again with mom in her home.  It was a nice evening together, one of my favorites lately.  On the way home I was quiet and in thought.   I was thinking about the days ahead and a childhood memory came to mind.    When we were young, my family camped around Arizona often.  We would camp, fish, hike, explore.  We set up camp in a lot of great campgrounds around this beautiful state.

I remembered the time we were camping  and we took a family hike.  We hiked for what seemed a long time- Dad always loved to walk us, I know now that was a way to get exercise and tire us out.  On hikes I felt a freedom; we would explore, catch little creatures, find interesting stuff.  On this hike, Michael asked to head back to camp and my parents approved it.  Morgan decided to take after him and somewhere between the rest of us and camp Morgan went lost.   We could not find Morgan- where could he be?  I think I remember that we searched all over camp, we asked other campers and found nothing.  We waited at camp, retraced steps, searched, asked…. I was scared.  I was young- I thought he was gone and that we may not be able to take him home.  I was so scared.  I can only imagine how he felt.

It was hours later, still nothing.  Morgan is lost!! Where is Morgan??  The sun was setting.  I think I remember that the Rangers were notified and that they were searching or were going to start searching by helicopter.  We were still asking other campers, praying and searching.     We finally found him.  Other campers helped us locate him and we wound up making acquaintance with them and sharing a meal.  What a relief and a celebration to find him.

I’ve had some sweet times with Morgan over the last couple months.  I am cherishing these days that he feels well enough to hang out together.  I love to go pick him up and have him in my home; spending time together, letting the girls love on him , being together and making memories.

The LOST story reminds me of how scared I was.  How scared I am… what lies ahead?  what’s happening inside Morgan; physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally?   I’m  scared.  I’m sad.  I’m mad.  I mourn.  I’m really scared.

He was over on Friday.  We had some interesting conversations- what we believe, how we disagree- what’s important to us.  These conversations were started and arranged around lists we are making.  We started with a LIST of lists to make.   The conversation went on, we made some lists and though our conversation he showed his passion about how important he feels it is for people to figure themselves out. 

A few of many questions to answer for yourself are: What do I believe?  Why do I believe the way I do?  What is my purpose?    What am I good at?  What do I love? Am I really living?  I am hopeful that he will share his own answers to these questions with all of you.   I encourage you to explore these questions on your own.  As a tribute to Morgan and what he is passionate about.   You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Are you lost?  get found!