When Someone Contacts You After 40 Years???

Steve Looten contacted me a few months ago.  We had not been in touch with each other since our college days.  He asked if I would be open to an interview for a book he was writing. I wasn't quite sure what to expect, but Steve was an honorable man forty years ago when I knew him, so I had no reluctance at all to have a lengthy conversation with him.

It turns out that my memory wasn't all that good concerning sporting events that happened four decades ago.  I think my lengthy illness and all the effects of the chemotherapy just a few years after graduation hampered some of my ability to recall things.  Priorities in life also shift quite quickly when you are facing a life-threatening illness.

Fast forward to this week--

After I returned home on Tuesday from a trip to Missouri, a copy of Steve's book was in my mailbox.  I couldn't wait to start diving into it and see how much I could recall from comments by other players and coaches.  I was able to remember a few more things after hearing the responses from others.

Thankfully, Steve dedicated a whole chapter that focused on more of my life and ministry after college than it did on my playing days.  Since I didn't give him much to work with in regard to my memories from my playing days, it was easier to focus on more recent events.  I am always grateful when I get the opportunity to share the Good News of Salvation in contexts outside of the church building.  This book was certainly a different avenue from the norm in which I could share my journey of faith.

The three full pages that followed this introductory page focused on much of my ministry throughout the years.

Scrolling through Steve's book made me look for my scrapbooks.  I am ashamed to say it took me days to find my scrapbooks.  I am not sure how many moves across the country they have made without being unpacked. I found the above certificate in one of my scrapbooks which is connected to what Steve writes about in his book.  Quite frankly, I did not even remember having this certificate.

Looking at old photos and newspaper clippings reminded me that I should have never taken good health for granted.  The privilege of playing both baseball and basketball at the collegiate level is something I came to appreciate much more fully after being diagnosed with cancer at 25.

It only took a few months of chemotherapy treatments to completely erase all of the physical work I did for years to get in top shape.  It certainly changed the trajectory of the rest of my life, but I am still here 36 years later.

This is one of only two photos I have from when I was bald.  (Remember, this was before the era of the cell phone and selfies.)  The photo was taken just before Christmas 1986, a couple of months after my last chemo treatment.

This was a Christmas party at the hospital for our "Make Today Count" support group.  I don't remember which year this was, but as you can see, once I was able to grow hair again, I let it grow on my face too.  (I am trying that again now.  My hair was blonde then, and it is still blonde today.  My beard back then was somewhat dark.  Today, it appears to be coming in with more white or grey.)

Yes, there are difficult challenges that confront us in this journey of life. However, I would like to encourage you to spend some time focusing on the blessings.  (I struggle to do that sometimes, so I know it is easier said than done when it seems that life is crashing down around us.)  As we prepare to wrap up 2022, let's give glory and praise to God for the blessing of another year in which we have had the opportunity to grow in wisdom, grace, and holiness.