What can they really steal ?

I pondered this question, sitting in the depressing oncology department as my wife was getting her 8th out of 12 chemotherapy treatments back in August 2009. Conversations with other cancer patients and their significant others often turned around what was lost with cancer and how their priorities changed.  And then, to insert hope in the discussion, we would talk about what we had left that we cherished.

It felt cliché at the time - you only know what's important once you lose it. But it's true. When I (and they) got stripped of what I we made life 'life', this question had to be answered. And the soul-searching did me some good. 

In the blink of an eye, with one phone call, or with one sentence uttered from the doctor's mouth, the following things can disappear (in no particular order ;) )

- my stuff
- my health
- my loved ones health
- my achievements and distinctions
- my reputation
- my plans
- my social involvement
- my affiliations
- my stuff - bis (I know I already said it, but it's so important sometimes, it bears repeating)

So what's left ? What can I grab on when I feel like Job ?

- my values and my faith
- my resolve
- my REAL friends

Here's one man very touching and eloquent take on it.