If it is to be, It is up to me – Michael J. Hamilton, Sr. – Pay it forward
I was recently presented with the following statement:
If you would change the world, then you must be the way you want the world to be (Gandhi)…
On a beautiful sunny day – July 9th. – I was struck with the most extraordinary and unusual news I could possibly be struck with in my life: Mr. Hamilton, the biopsy and path reports, and CAT scans indicate that you actually have stage four (4) colorectal cancer… Mr. Hamilton… Based solely on what we know – you probably have 3 to 6 months to live… We recommend the following treatment options…
And the oncologist ran on... It blew my mind! I am at my prime! In my job, physically, mentally – things were gong fantastic! I was running 5 miles a day, I was carrying the load of 3 men, launching a corporation that would become more than I could possibly imagine. I had no physical maladies. Everything was actually better than I could describe. You probably have 3 to 6 months to live…
The TNM counts were off the charts; surgery was immediate. There was no other option – or was there?
Many months later… My strength stable, my attitude solid, my focus sharp as it could be – I find myself about to launch on one of the largest solution development projects in this country and I was in front of the woman that very well may be the next governor of our State. She had a simple statement for me: If you could change the world, then you must be the way you want the world to be…
I have lived a life beyond blessing – seeing and experiencing what few men would dream of. My time on this earth has been more blessed than having 10 children; more blessed than having a best friend of 29 years now; more blessed than all of the adversity that one could face – my blessings overcome all of these. And I am mindful of one thing.
Notwithstanding the love of my family – not selling short the time I want to be with my children – simply quantifying what I feel – I wanted to take a moment and thank the community for the support and encouragement I have received. I am in no wise worthy of the many blessings I have received. And I am grateful.
Thank you…
Michael…
March, 2009