Life after cancer

I went to the Celebration of Life for Merry last Saturday. The last time I saw Merry was in October just before she died. You may “pass” from other causes; I don’t know, but you die if the cancer is bad enough. One of these days I may find out if you pass from old age. I may if in the cancer lottery I miss the 30 to 50 percent chance of mine returning elsewhere in my body. If I pass, I’ll let you know. If I die I won’t.

I was once described by a friend as a very private person. I believe Merry could have been described that way. She rode a Vespa which in the metro Phoenix area takes skill and courage. I gave up riding my motorcycle at 70. I am not sure I would have if my wife, Barb, had not suggested I look at it. At that, if I had lived in a less risky environment, I might have held on longer. But in Phoenix it was not too difficult of a decision. I think Merry lived life on her terms, and I admired her for that.