This, of course, is the answer to the question of the universe. It is also the number of posts that I have. Hmmmm, makes you wanna think, no?

The issue, as you may recall, with the answer is that nobody knew the question. Kind of like a game of Jeopardy on steroids. Makes you think that you should be thinking about the question–or at least thinkin’ about somethin’.

Today I was thinking about cancer. We have it on both sides. My 85-year-old Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer this summer. Two weeks ago, his surgeon told him, “John, you are going to die from something, but it won’t be lung cancer.” Dad was blowing the weeds out of his suburban front yard last Friday.

My mother-in-law has advanced colon cancer. She is only 75–everything is relative. She had her info delivered before last Thanksgiving and had surgery followed by chemo. She has been doing miraculously well. She is feeling less better now, though.

A tale of two cancers, of two parents, of two families. My first thought about my Dad wasn’t a thought but a prayer. A prayer that he wouldn’t suffer. My mother-in-law moved in with us for her treatment, and we supplied the chocolate treatment, which was key to her good health.

I hate cancer. It is not a just master. It makes you think that you are in control of your emotions. You aren’t. It tricks you. You mourn when your beloved is told. And you think you have made peace with it. You find yourself lulled into a hopeful state when beloved does well. Then you mourn if beloved takes a turn. You think, again, that you have your feelings in check. You don’t. You can’t.

What was that question again?