I don’t mean to offend those that feel deeply religions.  But I don’t mean to offend those that are atheist too. Because I belive both have a place in God’s plans.

God. That’s the name I grew up with.  Yahweh, Mohammed, Christ, Jesus, Higher Power, Gary.  These are all names used to represent out soul’s need to give a human TITLE to someone not human.

I believe that FAITHFULNESS is what matters to (we’ll call him the “Great Dude” for lack of other name), not RELIGION.  RELIGION is the pomp and circumstance, the ritual, the choice to be Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, etc. FAITH is the inner need to have a guiding force in your life, stripped of everything but you and the force.

For me, FAITH is what makes  RELIGION possible. Never the other way.

RELIGIONS can be totally different and disagree. FAITH is always the same.

I celebrate Thanksgiving.  Even though “my people” were off eating kinchi somewhere.

I celebrate Easter.  Even though I’m pretty sure that chocolate and candy have nothing to do with the story of the crucifixion.

I celebrate the 4th of July.  Even though I’ve never served in combat or personally fought for our freedom.

I go to church. Even though I don’t agree with everything they teach, I enjoy the ritual.  ABSOLUTELY.

Sometimes hearing thing told in the voice of “I’M RIGHT, I COULDN’T POSSIBLY ANYTHING BUT RIGHT, AND IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE I’M RIGHT YOU’RE A STUPID-HEAD” is what I need to hear to hear the Great Dude say “that’s great if it’s what makes ALL these other people faithful.  But it doesn’t work for you and that’s ok too.”

Before you quit sputtering and write me a nasty comment, remember this.

The Great Dude, in any religion, is beyond our understanding. Beyond our ability to at attempt to fathom.

STOP!

Stop trying to put the Great Dude into a box that you are comfortable with.

Stop trying to make the Great Dude FIT you.

Stop trying to make your RELIGION the one and only and appreciate the Great Dude for giving us the ability to have FAITH.

I’m usually asking the kids answers to questions about square roots and wind velocity.

But I happen to know this inside out.

Sort of depressing, but I do know it.

Peyton’s cancer.

She’s finished her second year post-treatment and is just about to start her third year without it.

And now someone wants to know if it has changed how I feel about my own recovery.

“Please! Anything! If she can be healthy, I’ll take anything.”

I remember the prayer.

Over and over.

I said that prayer.

I begged anything to see my baby girl be OK.

So now that she has long hair and she is kicking butt in the first grade, the possibility is there to forget the promise.

Then I have a stroke.

And another.

And I end up in a wheelchair.

Anything.

That’s what I said.

That’s what I meant.

And if I never got any better I made that deal in my heart.

Now, I don’t believe God will necessarily go an eye for an eye.

But I watch my baby girl run in the driveway and won’t push any buttons.

I’ve earned my handicap.

To me, my daughter is worth it.

As we got closer to the date he worried some more about getting crowded and me feeling overwhelmed.  I laughed.

In the weeks just before we left, Peter was getting nervous about what to say.  I was getting nervous that no one would want to come to the buzzkill panel.  Pete’s answer was that people would come to hear what I had to say.  I laughed.

We had airport fun where they thought I had bomb residue on my leg brace.  Then there was the car service guy that figured we liked to argue about my handicap. Don’t get me started on bathrooms.

But we got to the hotel, we checked in, we had a snack, we got our BlogHer tickets, we ran into a few friends.  It was all good!  There was no reason to think anyone would care beyond the norm.

Then I took a nap.

And I woke up.

And we went out.

OHMYGOD.

Let me just say this.  It’s a good thing I like people.  Meeting them, greeting them, shaking their hands, hugging them, smooching them, getting to hear their stories, sometimes wiping their tears.  I love people.

If I didn’t like people, this weekend would have sucked.

Cause, not to be a fat-head, but I was WRONG.

Dude.

Was I ever wrong?!

There were times it took us hours to get tens of feet.

We missed out on meals a few times.

We got to meet some of the many people that made a difference in our lives.

So many people were confused, mixed up.  They said thank you to me or to Pete.

When, REALLY?

It was our chance to thank each and every one of you.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU  THANK YOU

Most people won’t skate on the edge of death and come back to write blog posts about it.

Some will circle the drain, but not everyone has a family that will fight to keep you afloat.

Friends are great, having every person you ever met, plus some you didn’t plan on, is beyond every dream you ever had.  That’s just online.

I mean. Friends. FRIENDS. friends.

Do you take the time to feel lucky for the people you know?

I have been so stinkin’ lucky with this stroke.

The friends that are practically sisters.

The sister that’s now a best friend.

Buddies that have graduated to lifelines.

Casual acquaintances that became valued bonds.

Strangers DID become friends.

I may never have the chance to feel this way again.

Grateful.  Thankful.  Blessed.  Absolute Faith.

Befriended.