"Always My Hero; My Dad."

Daddy has always been more than the average Father, and has always made me feel that I was more than the average daughter. Since the day I was born Daddy has lead me to believe that I was something extraordinary but what Daddy doesn't know, is that since that Father's Day in 1980 he has always been my Hero!  Daddy's whole life has been structured around believing things are bigger, better and brighter than anyone else could imagine, so it is no wonder that he has surpassed all expectations surrounding this diagnosis. We should have known when the Dr. said the "Average" Prognosis for a Pancreatic Cancer Patient is 4-6 months that 1 year later, Daddy would still be here proving that he is indeed, "Anything but Average." This particular milestone however is much more than just a simple accomplishment; it is much more than setting a goal and achieving it. What it is, is a miraculous gift of hope and inspiration for all of us; especially, for those families who are experiencing the helpless feelings and emotions that come with being told, "You have Cancer." Or for those families that may be sitting in a treatment center the first time or for the last. It is painful, confusing, and paralyzing but Daddy is proof that you still have a choice and when you choose how it is that you are going to embrace it, you will find that there is still profound purpose and meaning to within each and everyday that is still, yet to come.                                                          

Over the past year Daddy has experienced a lot of triumphs and victories, milestones and celebrations. He has visited new places and made new friends, as Daddy always does, but he has been able to enjoy these moments because he made a choice to recognize those opportunities when they were there. Daddy is 63 years old, about to turn 64 and there are so many other things that go into defining who he is before and besides a Cancer Patient. Daddy is brilliant, he is beautiful and brave. He is insightful, thoughtful, spiritual and strong. He is creative, goofy, silly and fun. He loves his Family and his Friends. He is a beacon of light to those facing any degree of darkness and unknown and it is all of these characteristics and more, that have not only helped him to endure this circumstance, which we refer to as Cancer but that has also allowed him the ability to see through the fear and into the purpose of his Future. The Courage, Hope and Belief, he has had in himself, his family, and his Faith is inspiring and will forever influence the choices and decisions we all will make throughout our lives but the EXAMPLE he has been for me, not only through out this past year but throughout my entire life is exactly the reason why he IS and will "Always Be, My Hero; My Dad!"