Many moons ago when I started writing I frequented the site of a guy named Elden. That’s his given Christian name, but he goes by Fatty. And he’s not. Not at all. Unless you are discussing his huge heart for his family and specifically, his wife Susan. She’s battled breast cancer for some time now and it’s looking like they are holding hands toward some end that will not be at all what their family is hopeful for, but he is pressing onward like a soldier who refuses to give up the fight. He is, simply, a good egg and their love story is one for the books.
In yesterday’s post he posed the question of “What would you do if you only had six months to live?”
We’ve all played that game before and his answer is to record his wife’s voice in conversations they’ve had so he can replay them to honor her. Elden’s writing is spectacular and I urge you to read him. He mentions in that post a donation button he’s put up for anyone to donate. While I feel led to do so I know that it’s not a possibility for everyone. In the past, I’ve done my own donation collecting and it felt so wonderful to be able to do something for someone else. The intrinsic rewards are difficult to detail.
Since I wouldn’t pressure people to give I will ask three things here:
1. Visit Elden’s site.
2. Say a prayer for Elden and Susan and their four children and extended family and friends.
3. Leave a comment here in 6 words only about what you’d do in your final 6 months and I will use the number of comments to determine how much money I will donate.
Now go kiss your wife or mother or daughter and love the heck out of them. Do it tenderly.
*Thanks, Botched Experiment, for the urging to do something to support Fatty.
COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE.
May 10, 2008 @ 1:45 pm | Filed under Help A Brutha Out | Permalink |
Elizabeth Said,
May 10, 2008 @ 1:50 pm
Say.I.Love.You.To.Everyone.
Elizabeths last blog post..Vote for the winner in the Renuzit Home Makeover
Kerri Anne Said,
May 10, 2008 @ 1:56 pm
Kiss my husband beside the Seine.
Kerri Annes last blog post..Sisterhood Of The Traveling ‘Stache, An Update
Carolyn B. Said,
May 10, 2008 @ 2:03 pm
What a heart-wrenching tragedy for Fatty’s family. If I knew I were dying (and we’re all headed toward that unknown), I think I’d be torn between writing down important memories and impressions for my children to have someday, since those are things no one else can give them. And I’d probably oscillate wildly between gratitude for every minute and rage at every minute lost.
My six words:
Live, love, remember, be grateful, mourn.
Carolyn B.s last blog post..47×365, #10 - Jerry
Daisy Said,
May 10, 2008 @ 2:15 pm
Give family and friends my love.
Daisys last blog post..The Ensemble
Lara Said,
May 10, 2008 @ 2:25 pm
live and love with no regrets.
Laras last blog post..This Space for Rent
Erin Said,
May 10, 2008 @ 2:52 pm
Treasure my family, create happy memories.
catnip Said,
May 10, 2008 @ 2:54 pm
Kiss and hug son many times
catnips last blog post..a better song
Beth Said,
May 10, 2008 @ 2:55 pm
If I only had six months, I would…
Read a good book every day.
(And I think it’s funny that instead of “URL” it says “URI”, which in my world means “upper respiratory infection.” Your site is infectious, that’s for sure!)
White Hot Magik Said,
May 10, 2008 @ 4:09 pm
Laugh, Make Memories, Hug, Love, Laugh
White Hot Magiks last blog post..Frugral Friday’s Find
MeL Said,
May 10, 2008 @ 4:43 pm
Abandon all fear; LIVE every moment.
MeLs last blog post..No One Expects The Spanish Inquisition.
Jakki Said,
May 10, 2008 @ 5:08 pm
Live. Love. Laugh.Be A Blessing.
Jakkis last blog post..Welcome to My World
anji Said,
May 10, 2008 @ 5:12 pm
Say I love you to everyone.
Went over and donated $25. It’s not tons but all I have. Every dollar counts. Thanks for humbling me.
Elizabeth Said,
May 10, 2008 @ 5:23 pm
Marvel at my children’s loving gifts.
Elizabeths last blog post..Ferns, take cover!
Amber Said,
May 10, 2008 @ 7:07 pm
Hold my family close; cry lots.
tanilan Said,
May 10, 2008 @ 10:18 pm
Enjoy my husband and kids more
tanilans last blog post..Whatever!?!
ingrid Said,
May 11, 2008 @ 4:59 am
want to live. do something worthwhile.
ingrids last blog post..i drew something fer you
Suebob Said,
May 11, 2008 @ 6:00 am
Hang out with family, swim, read.
Suebobs last blog post..Super Sappy Saturday
Elizabeth Said,
May 11, 2008 @ 7:39 am
Happy Mother’s Day!! I hope you get breakfast in bed.
Elizabeths last blog post..Ferns, take cover!
KC Said,
May 11, 2008 @ 7:42 am
Thanks hon for talking about this issue and Elden and his family.
I will go over there and lend support.
But I wanted to stop by and with you a very happy mother’s day!
KC
Barbara Said,
May 11, 2008 @ 10:05 am
Sing, laugh, love, listen, share, enjoy!
Sue Said,
May 11, 2008 @ 10:44 am
Laugh. Cry. Love. Pray. Listen. Hug.
Sues last blog post..Happy Mothers Day to my Mama
mayberry Said,
May 11, 2008 @ 2:16 pm
Write love letters to loved ones.
mayberrys last blog post..Never too young for happy hour
SleepyNIta Said,
May 11, 2008 @ 3:19 pm
Hug My Son. All the time.
SleepyNItas last blog post..Buying Some Sanity $25 at a Time.
Big Mike In Oz Said,
May 11, 2008 @ 4:12 pm
Absolutely every minute with my family.
Big Mike In Ozs last blog post..Fat man break bike, go boom
tamara Said,
May 11, 2008 @ 5:53 pm
Hellooooooooo Kelly! Very long time, no talk…but I’m thrilled to see that you’re still blogging away.
I’d formerly kept a blog at MSN Spaces (T. is for Teacher), and it’s sort of floated away from me…
I’ve just restarted a brand-spankin’ new blog, as well as a brand-spankin’ new life away from the classroom. Ah. Budget cuts. 500 teachers in my district got the axe.
Hope this message finds you well. I look forward to catching up.
tamaras last blog post..Pornographic Priestess
tamara Said,
May 11, 2008 @ 5:56 pm
Oh, and I forgot my response. (That’s six words, but not what I meant).
Travel around globe with my family!
tamaras last blog post..Pornographic Priestess
Jennifer Said,
May 11, 2008 @ 7:27 pm
Love Family
Love Nature
Love Myself
Tricia Said,
May 11, 2008 @ 11:04 pm
Laugh, Listen, Cry, Wish, Dream, Watch
Tricias last blog post..The Plan: as the children see it, for the distant and near future
Leeza Said,
May 12, 2008 @ 3:54 am
Great tips to say I love you .
ragtopday Said,
May 12, 2008 @ 5:55 am
Laugh more, stress less, make memories.
ragtopdays last blog post..Friday Fill-in
Steve Said,
May 12, 2008 @ 7:06 am
Only six? I petition for more.
No, don’t count that one. How about:
Leave family a legacy of love.
Cassandra Said,
May 12, 2008 @ 10:50 am
Spend each day loving my family.
Wendy Said,
May 12, 2008 @ 11:45 am
Laugh more, kiss more, enjoy more.
Wendys last blog post..These Are Days
Cyndi Said,
May 12, 2008 @ 12:20 pm
I would forget to be scared.
Miranda Said,
May 12, 2008 @ 12:32 pm
I came over just to say thanks for your comment and wish you a belated Happy Mother’s Day. I decided to share what’s been going on and coming over here just now has given me some perspective. I’m sending my thoughts to Elden and Susan. Breast cancer is such a bitch.
Live like I’ve never lived before.
mp Said,
May 12, 2008 @ 12:38 pm
Peace
Laugh
Pray
Peace
Laugh
Pray
mps last blog post..$50 iTunes Giveaway!!
Heather Said,
May 12, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
Love deeply, laugh often, live loudly.
V's Herbie Said,
May 12, 2008 @ 1:35 pm
Quit grad school and travel far
V’s Herbies last blog post..damn biological clock
Amy in StL Said,
May 12, 2008 @ 1:35 pm
Help my parents cope with it.
Mom has always said she can’t imagine outliving one of her kids and my dad is worried near to death if I have the sniffles. So I think I would spend those six months helping them cope.
Wifey's House Said,
May 12, 2008 @ 8:38 pm
Hug, kiss, love my family daily!
Wifey’s Houses last blog post..Are You Smarter Than A First Grader?
nec Said,
May 13, 2008 @ 6:54 am
Live each day to the fullest…
Cancer sucks, I travelled that journey with both of my parents.