Only The Rocks Live Forever (Merry Christmas!)...

HELLO GENTLE READERS,

I wrote a blog, here and at Wordpress (yes, I'm a promiscuious blogger-I "fool around" with the "King's English"), telling you of getting the news from two separate doctors that I would not likely live out the year. Borrowing an Araphoe phrase, I titled the blog "Only The Rocks Live Forever" because it seemed to state the temporary nature of this plane of existence with such simplicity and elegance. I am one of the Vioxx victims and have developed Congestive Heart Failure and the beginings of Kidney Failure. At my other blog site, I got some amazing responses, mostly from Native Americans. An example from Bonnie (a Cherokee) was, "Greetings, Tom. In the words of Chief Seattle, there is no death, only a change of worlds. In my words 'Es-ta-u'. Be strong". Having had a Near Death Experience, I already knew that this world was not the "end-all-be-all" of human existance but, I was touched to the point of tears that others would take their precious time to communicate with me.

As odd as it may seem, this "death sentence" has been a most liberating event. I have, by necessity, been freed from the constraints of permanance. If, for example, this may be my last conversation with a friend then, let it be pleasant. If this is to be the last song I play, then let it be fun. If these are to be the last clothes I wear then, let them be comfortable. If this is to be the last sex I experience then, well, let's do it again! I wish I could have known this emancipation earlier in life. I would be a better person today. Living as though this life is a temporary gift is like waking up to Christmas every morning. I have yet to tire of it. My life is awesome!!

To quote Mark Twain, "The news of my death has been greatly exaggerated". In a recent doctor visit, I was surprised when he said, "It looks like your heatlh has become stable. You may outlive me. You'll never run a marathon, though"!

I hope I never tire of this precious, temporary gift. Merry Christmas, ya'll!

Tom Vickers

P.S.- I may start training to run a marathon. Nah, not likely.