The Importance of Voting

There's was a time, long ago, when men and women threw everything they knew aside and cast themselves into the unknown. Taking everything they hold dear, they directed their future toward uncertainty because they believed the struggle was worth it. With a promise of freedom of religion, oppression, and a new life, they took a leap. That leap was remarked as foolish. It was laughed at, mocked, and envied.

Never before had a group taken such a grand stand against monarchy and routine government. To leave the known world and literally sail into hope. Hope is a monstrous thing. It can make men do the impossible. It can make people believe the unbelievable. Our founders fought for hope. Our ancestors died for hope. They fought the biggest fight our nation has ever seen because they had hope for a future that they could only dream about. Hope starts with a dream. A dream festers within an individual until that individual believes that dream to be achievable or even real. That is hope at work.

When someone tells you they have a dream, they are planting a seed of hope. You may not see it right away, but you can feel it growing if you believe in the dream. Susan B. Anthony had nothing more than a dream. It's amazing how a dream can grow into something so much more. Our founding fathers had a dream handed to them by a group immigrants that were tired of being told how to live. Those immigrants pursued that dream so that their decedents could have that hope of freedom.

Over time, our loved ones have died for that same freedom. That death should not be in vain. Your voice is just as free as you. Voting is another way that your voice is used.

Because Once is Never Enough (I'm Lying)

I would like to start by saying, "Hello." I've been very busy and FaceBook is such an outlet that I haven't needed the blog. Actually, I only use Revamp if it's too long for FaceBook. That being said, I have one of those stories for you tonight.

As many of you may be unaware, I have been in the hospital again. Yes, another Spontaneous Pneumothoraux! If you are asking yourself what that crazy word means, read the earlier post entitled My Lazy Lung. If you've already read it, then you know it, basically, means my lung collapsed with no warning signs. Allow me to explain.

I went to work on Tuesday morning with a slight pain in my pectoral. I paid it little attention due to the volume of work over the days before. I just assumed I was sore and needed a good hour to warm it up. However, I also, in the back of my mind, was afraid of what it could be. After moving a pallet at one store and really recognizing the pain, I refused to believe it. I moved on to another store and began to work. This time, after taking 30 minutes to work product that would normally take 8-10, I began to worry. It wasn't until I was actually short of breath that I chose to give in to reality and called my wife to tell her the bad news. Seeing how she noticed my chest pains earlier as well, she was not surprised. She had actually asked me before I left the house if I was feeling well.

Long story short, I had surgery and the Dr. removed (about) 4% of my right lung, "glued" the lung to the chest cavity, and did it all with a tiny camera and a robotic arm with a scissor/stapler combo. Pretty awesome technology, I must admit. The "glueing" process was similar to last time, with two major exceptions. One, I was out cold and two, he was able to place the "glue" exactly where he needed it as opposed to just filling my cavity and letting it fall where it may.

All and all, I should never have to experience that again... because of my right lung. I will be on Advair for about 6 months so that my lung can rebuild and learn to work with it's new size and shape. I will have to do some test along the way to ensure my lung capacity and overcome any shortness of breath.

I would like to say thank you to my wife, Becky, for always being by my side. She is my person. Now and forever. Also, mom, dad and aunt Glinda, thank you for coming down and being here for the surgery. It was a scary day and Becky needed support in the waiting room. Thank you for that. Everyone that called and text throughout the week, thank you for the thoughts and prayers. I felt them and He listened.

On a more personal note, I want to admit that I was more shaken up by this than I normally would have been had I not lost my grandfather to the exact surgery less than nine months ago. It made it harder to cope and harder to agree to. That being said, I was not afraid to go on the table. Whatever will be, will be. I just couldn't bare the thought of my family losing two members to the same thing. I'm glad that did not happen. I miss you Levi Bill Smith. I always will.