Momma Js Miracle

Momma J’s Miracle

I started to write about my life to help my mother-in-law, Dolly, during her treatment for breast cancer. I wanted to show her what I had learned through these experiences; however I failed to do this. As time passed, her quality of life diminished as the cancer took over her body. At first I joked with her about starting to walk, meditate, and practice yoga. When times really got rough for her, she joked with me that it was time to start practicing yoga. However, she was unable to overcome her diagnosis. As her quality of life diminished, mine elevated and this empowered me to help myself.

This past year saved my life. After writing about how I improved the quality of my life by overcoming depression six years ago, I realized how I was presently lost. I had fallen back into lazy habits. I only used some of the seven pillars of strength I discuss in my book Stop Thinking, Start Living, and Begin Celebrating Every Moment.

I realized that my wife and I were sleepwalking through our privileged lives in our new house in Georgia. We had become slaves to our lifestyle, which was beginning to fill with material possessions. We had never been the type of people, who would care about such things. However, this was inevitable in the current context of our lives.

Then the call which brought me back into reality. My mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer. Before my wife could even put down the phone, I knew only one thing: we were moving. It was not even what I would consider a choice - it was intuition, it was the universal consciousness, God, or whatever you may call it, waking us up from this dream. From that day forward, I started making choices which I will never regret. They seem to have come at such a high cost, but I realize this transformation was Dolly’s last gift to us.

For the next year of our lives we spent all the time we could with my mother-in-law, and this was such a blessing. I struggled with my decision to leave education, but I know I made the right choice. I realigned with my true self, and now I truly can say, for the first time in my life, that I know what my purpose is.

Before Dolly's illness, I knew I wanted to improve the quality of life of those around me, but I did not know how. Presently, I am driven to raise money to find the cure for breast cancer. I will teach the cure, which is love. I will create a place where this is all possible. I will write and speak about how to improve the quality of life throughout the world. I will raise cancer awareness and I'll talk about Dolly. About her miracle.

It will begin with this glimpse of the reality to come.

I have a new vision of the day when my wife Ashley and I are some day blessed with a daughter. I picture a beautiful fall morning. It is a crisp Saturday, and I am picking my daughter up from dance. We stop to have a snack on a bench outside the studio her Grandma, aunts, and mother helped to create.

She asks, “Daddy, why are we sitting outside? It's kind of chilly. I am freeeeeezingggggg”. I think, She is just like her mother, always cold, even when the sun is shining so bright. She always asks about sitting by the tree, because this is when I tell her about Grandma. She knows her pretty well, considering they have never even met. "Grandma J is always looking over us and making sure we are smiling," I tell her.

Then I say, “Because I want to sit with Grandma J” and she giggles. I ask why she is giggling even though I know why. She thinks it is funny that someone planted a tree when Grandma died. I explain how Grandma comes every fall and blossoms a brilliant white. She laughs even more at my words, because anyone can see what a beautiful tree it is, and the fact that her dad is telling her about it is even funnier. She knows Grandma was very special, so special people bought trees and benches to remember her.

She says as she always does, “Grandma is berry berry berry berry special.”

I say, “Almost as special as you!” She giggles even more with the most beautiful smile I have ever seen, other than her mommy’s.

We talk about Grandma and how she can be with us whenever we want. All we have to do is open our hearts up to her love. I tell her Grandma is inside of us always. Then after we finish our talk about Grandma, I give her peanut butter and jelly without any crust just like Grandma made it for Mommy when she was a child. After she gets a little on her outfit.

It is time to go to the Momma J’s home. She asks question after question on the ride. She is always wondering about things; she makes both her Grandmas proud.

As we arrive at the Wellness Center I have a huge smile on my face, and my cute little girl asks me why. I giggle just as she did when we were talking about Grandma. She asks me, as I asked her, "Why are you giggling?" and I say, “Because something very special is going to happen today.” This gets her excited, because I tell her we are going to Grandma J’s home. She is a little confused. She knows Grandma J is always with her in her heart, but she has never been to her home.

But then I make her feel better by telling her Grandma J created a place where everyone is smiling and feeling loved. Where people come to feel better, and it does not cost one penny. I tell her I loved her Grandma so much she inspired me to make sure no more people had to hurt like she did. I tell her there were a lot of special people who loved special people like Grandma, and together we helped find a cure to the thing that hurt her. Love is the only cure. I tell her Grandma’s love created a cure, and she doesn’t ever have to worry about hurting like Grandma did. She knows that one day she will pass on like Grandma and everyone else in the world, but it won’t be for a berry berry long time.

This makes us very happy, and she enjoys practicing yoga and listening to the beautiful music that make her heart feel so warm. She gets to see Mommy helping a man feel better, her aunt teaching some kids who are about her size, her other aunt helping an older woman in a wheelchair, and her Grandpa is telling about her Grandma. She sees all her friends and family enjoying painting, playing, talking, dancing, and singing. Then we get back in the car. She has another giggle, a huge smile, and Grandma watches us as we drive home to happily ever after.

Love is the CURE, and it will save many lives!!! It can cure any disease or misfortune, it is each one of us and it is free. Help build this dream of a free wellness center. Be a part of Momma J’s Miracle.