Roy Lloyd: Courage Faces Fear

Death is on the horizon for a family member who has decided to stop further chemotherapy since it won't prolong her life. 

She announced her decision in an e-mail, sent to friends and family, saying, "I am still planning to keep ticking and kicking!!  Trips planned and boats to paddle and family and friends to enjoy." 

One person wrote back, "Bless you for your gift to your friends, of inspiration to love so dynamically and care so deeply for your family and friends." 

This woman demonstrates how to die with dignity through her example of gratitude for what she has and what we can give to others.  She's already designed her own funeral filled, she says, with joy and laughter and she's shared it with her rabbi. 

I admire her for chosing to live to the fullest extent of her ability.  It would be wonderful if we could do the same. 

Living each day as an opportunity to be joyful about our blessings takes courage.  And, as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., put it so clearly, "Courage faces fear and thereby masters it."

This is Roy Lloyd.

Originally presented as a commentary on Newsradio 1010 WINS in New York, NY