Well, it's been a while hasn't it? I should have known I'd be bad at this whole blogging thing; a few years ago I tried keeping a diary, not even an every day type of diary, but one just to keep track of some of the more important things that happen... well, after a few entries guess who didn't write in it any more? I guess history really does repeat itself.
I've been thinking a lot lately about how I ended up in Arizona. If someone would have asked me when I graduated high school where I'd be six years later, living in Arizona would not have even made my list of guesses. If you would have asked me three years ago, same answer. One year ago, same answer. Long story short, Arizona was never on my radar of places to live. But, here I am, and for the record I am enjoying it so far. I believe that everything happens for a reason, including me ending up here.
Related to that belief, I also believe that my dad is a major contributor to me being where I am, in respect to geographic location as well as occupation. For those of you who don't know, my dad passed away a few years ago from pancreatic cancer. The whole experience has shaped my life in unimaginable ways. My dad loved hot weather, absolutely loved it, and I know if he were around he would have visited a few times already. My mom and I like to joke that I probably would have needed to get a two bedroom apartment because he would have spent a few months of the winter down here. Out of all the jobs I applied to and all of the places I could have ended up, here I am in a place that my dad would have loved. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I am here because of him.
It's also because of him, or his illness rather, that I ended up in the career I am in. If he never would have gotten sick, I don't know where I would be or what I would be doing. It's changed me in so many ways, I don't even know who I would be if none of it had happened, but I do know that I wouldn't be who I am or where I am.
So out of respect for him and all that he endured, I ask that you all please show support this November for National Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month by wearing purple, or at least educating yourself on the deadly disease that takes thousands of lives every year. Despite the fact that only 5% of pancreatic cancer patients survive five years, pancreatic cancer receives very little attention and very little financial supports compared to most other cancers.
Know the facts: http://www.pancan.org/section_get_involved/advocate/downloads/Pancreatic_Cancer_Facts_Feb_2011.pdf
