Like Hugging a Man of Steel!
Friday night I was prepared to spend alone. Jordan had a church retreat, Katie was spending the weekend with cousins and Lisa provided transportation. Earlier in the day I said goodbye to my sister Shiela and her husband Mark. Mark was in town to deliver a presentation at the Colorado School of Mines and Shiela took advantage of the opportunity to visit. We had such a great visit and it was hard to see them go.
Once the house was empty, I heated up some left overs and sat down on my favorite chair in front of the TV. It must have been a long day because it didn't take long and I was asleep. After a quick cat nap I sat around watching TV and looking forward to Lisa's return. Around 7:00 PM the doorbell rang and I answered. Standing on my front porch were three people; two I knew well, and one I knew from reputation alone. The two I knew well were my good friends Cameron and Tracy Bodner. The other visitor was James "Flex" Lewis, one of the top bodybuilders in the world.
I invited them in and Flex gave me a big hug. We immediately began discussing my disease and how it has affected me. We also discussed the dream that I would one day be healthy and able to compete one last time. You might be wondering why I would ever push my body to the extremes that bodybuilding requires. I will, but only with the blessings of my doctors and for a very specific purpose -- I would love to show other people suffering from Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), that there is hope of recovery and potential for a very healthy future.
Believe to Achieve!
A Special Friday Night
Matthew 25:40
2 comments:
Michael, this very touching to me on the night my mother-in-law who I love dearly may go to heaven before morning.
It's the sweet, quality times in life with the ones we love that is so important.
As far as meeting Flex goes. I am keenly aware of the boy that's inside of me and the man, the needs we have and the fun and joys that are unique to men and boys.
When I was a young man I loved Paul Anderson (Olympic Gold Metal Weightlifter, Christian, Boy's home owner and world record holder.) I read his book over and over again.
I wanted to be the strongest man in the world! I lifted 2 or 3 hours a day 5 to 7 days a week.
God loves us and he loves strength, he engineered and created the muscles to work as they do and he chose to do some mighty work through very powerful men throughout history.
It blesses me that even in your time of weakness and suffering that you hold on to the dream and you got such a cool visit from such a powerful and special man.
And the friends behind such a plan to bless you this way are over the top!
God bless and thanks for adding to the joy of this time that I reflect on what my time with my mother-in-law was like. (I was still lifting heavy back then, when I first met her and my wife) It's so funny my mother-in-law thought I was a stud. Tonight or within the next few days she will be getting a brand new body that will never fail.
It's great to hold on to hope for what is important to you because God made you the way you are. Keep it up Michael!
I believe God will use your life and you'll do things that you never did before and you have blessed many by being so bold as to share with us!
Patrick,
I was touched by your message. It is wonderful to see the love you have for your mother-in-law and the cherished memories you share.
I pray that God will give you and the family strength as your mother-in-law transitions from this life to the next.
I find great comfort in knowing that she and others like her move from this world to a place where sin and death have been conquered and where pain and suffering are no more.
Love ya brother...
Mike
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