59 and blessed

Of great blessing

I must be one of the most fortunate and blessed men, yet I am usually unaware of how great mercy and grace have been bestowed upon me. I am thankful and grateful for each day that reveals nothing is of my doing; it is all by the grace of God.

Today, I celebrate my 59th birthday, and many events have occurred in my life that any observer would never have imagined this day would come. Even though I have not dared to think of it, I have just taken each day as it has come.

Of adverse circumstance

When this year began, I was celebrating the 15th year after a life-threatening cancer diagnosis that studies at that time suggested most people never get to live another decade. My story found a turning point at that cancer diagnosis; if I had finished my autobiography, my understanding of life, surviving, and thriving would have pivoted around it.

I never anticipated a diagnosis of malignant prostate cancer, which was confirmed in June after five months of tests and investigations to determine what we had to deal with. I visited Cape Town to see Brian after that diagnosis, quite unaware of what lay in store. It was a different kind of cancer that was invisible and painless but could have, if undiscovered, killed me.

Of living blessed

The only way I found to address my concerns was to listen to sermons about faith and healing. I knew I would undergo some sort of treatment and expected the outcome to be cancer-free. I undertook radical radiotherapy in September/October and have returned to Cape Town to recuperate and recover with the support and care of Brian.

I owe my life, my love, my joy, my happiness, and my belief in a great future ahead to God, my Lord Jesus, my partner, my close friends, my supportive colleagues, and every well-wisher who has offered words of encouragement and material help. Indeed, I am blessed, mightily blessed indeed.

Thank you.