I woke waaaaay too early this morning. Probably last night. I read all of lightworkers, played some yahoo canasta, updated myself on news of the world, then checked my email. I got this from my cousin, Steve. Chuck is his elder brother and the oldest in my generation, in my family. Besides asking for your prayers, I think there is something worthwhile to read in all this. Made me cry so violently.

***

As most of you know, Chuck's health has not been very good over the past years and now his cancer has come back in a very aggressive way. I have spoken to his doctor twice now and with chemo scheduled to begin as early as next week, the cancer is not curable this time around.

Chuck realizing that time may not be forever, has decided to get out and do some things he would like to do while it is still possible to do so. He drove up to Camp Lincoln and spent time with the owners there whom he had befriended from being a camper and working there for some 14 years. This past Wednesday, he drove down to Lawrence and meet some old players and went to a Kansas basketball practice. You can read the attached memo which summaries his visit pretty good but what it doesn't say is what this meant to Chuck.

Chuck called me about 10:00 that night as he was just leaving dinner with Wayne and we spoke on the phone for over an hour. It was one of the most riveting conversations I have ever had with my brother. One thing Tom's letter does not mention is that while sitting in practice watching this year's team practice, Coach Owens called Chuck and discussed the situation with Chuck. Coach Owens was the head coach when we were there and the coach Sue got in touch with during Chuck's last bout with cancer. One of the other players had gotten in touch with Coach Owens and told him of Chuck's situation and pending visit.

That brings us to the attached letter written by one of my college fraternity brothers, team mates, and close friends, Tom Wilbur. I called Tom Thursday after Chuck's visit because I knew Tom is a die hard Kansas alum, an acquaintance of Chuck's, and has a solid foundation in faith. I never would have guessed in a million years that Tom would write such a letter about Chuck and send it to who knows how many people. I can tell you that yesterday alone, I received over 40 replies back from people I had never heard of and saw them forward this letter on to many of their friends.

I wanted to make you all aware of Chuck's journey. I will be going to Sioux Falls on the 11th and spend time helping Chuck with his "bucket list". We were going to go to New York Thursday to see the Yanks in game 2 of the Series but he had some procedure work done with the doctors. Lisa is going back for a visit today. My hope is that we all can find the time and place for another "shovel" picture minus the shovel. I know that would mean a lot to Chuck. In speaking to his doctor, even with the chemo Chuck has decided to take, we are still talking months, not years. No one knows for sure and none of us are alike. He has endured a lot and has a very strong will to live.

Keep him in your thoughts and prayers and please let other family members know of his situation since I didn't have everyone's email address. Talk to you all soon. Happy Holidays and Go Yanks!

***

Demonstrating The Walk

By Tom Wilbur

Legendary basketball coach John Wooden has always said, “"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

Kansas basketball coach Bill Self has always impressed me as being a guy of sound character. Family man. Community minded. Leader. Successful basketball coach. Today, one of my fraternity brothers, Steve Purdy, called to tell me a story that solidified my impressions of Coach Bill Self, and I thought it worth sharing.

A little background—as a young man, I grew up in a household that was crimson and blue—my parents went to KU, I had grandparents that went to KU—and so, yeah, it was pretty well engrained in my soul. I played basketball at Salina Central here in Kansas and had some success there--- playing alongside some tremendous teammates---basketball was something I truly loved. In the summer, I would work odd jobs to earn enough money to go to Ted Owens Jayhawk Basketball Camp. And that was a great thrill, as well. I met guys like JoJo White there, and other NBA players who had attended Kansas who would work the Camp during the summer—as well as kids from all over the United States.

Completing my high school career, I decided to head to KU. I wasn’t good enough to get a full ride scholarship at Kansas, and didn’t really want to play small college ball, so I thought I’d join a fraternity (Phi Gamma Delta) and just go to school in Lawrence. It came to enrollment time, and fraternity brother Steve Purdy told me that they were having tryouts for the KU basketball squad, and that I should come along with him—to see if we could make the team as walk-ons. So I decided to give it a try.

45 guys showed up for three spots and when they posted names on the bulletin board outside the locker room, Steve and I had both made the squad. We were officially Jayhawks. Coach Owens called me up to the office to congratulate me, and welcomed me to the team—and politely mentioned it might be a good idea for Steve and me to get haircuts (hey it was the early 70’s). So Steve and I found the only barber in Lawrence open on a Monday, and we got crew cuts eliminating the hair locks that formerly touched our shoulders. We would have done anything to be part of the team—and we were pumped.

You have to know Steve Purdy to understand as a fraternity brother (or in that case--- a real brother) why you would want him on your team. He is one of a kind—loyal like the mutt you had as a kid—and one of the most fun guys you will ever meet. He’s built for fun and has a lot of energy. That was kind of a good and bad thing in college, but man, I love him just the way he is. Its guys like Steve that still keep our pledge class corresponding now some 30 years out of college.

The next day, we went to check in and that’s when I learned that Steve Purdy’s brother, Chuck Purdy, was the team manager.

Chuck was great as a manager, and checked us out our shoes, and issued us our reversible Jayhawk jerseys—one side crimson, one side blue. The words Kansas were across our chests, and walking into Allen Field House as a player for the first time, was like a dream. Chuck would always have an encouraging word for us as we made our way toward the court—where Assistant Coach Sam Miranda was waiting for us like a bulldog--- as he began to put us through our paces, and whip us into shape.

We young Jayhawks would be required to learn the plays of incoming teams, so that the varsity group could prepare for the next game. I was a scrub, and loved it. Tom Kivisto was the on-court leader of the team, and I played with every day with guys like Danny Knight, Randy Canfield, Rick Suttle, Dale Greenlee, Tommy Smith, and Brady Morningstar’s Dad—Roger Morningstar.

Chuck Purdy was always there. Helping us with equipment. Keeping our stuff clean for the next day. He was a great manager. He was, in point of fact, our only manager.

And this story is about Chuck. Fast forward to today—as Chuck approaches his 58th birthday. Steve called to tell me this afternoon that Chuck has been fighting cancer for awhile. He’s had it for five or six years and he has fought the good fight—but even with lots of chemo, and radiation, the cancer has just migrated to his liver. Chuck probably doesn’t have long to live.

But Steve and Chuck have made up a “bucket list” for Chuck—you know, important things to do before Chuck transitions from this life to the next.

On the list-- Chuck wanted to go back to visit KU and see some guys from the team…. so his old pals Tommy Smith and Roger Morningstar set up a time, and they brought Chuck down to Lawrence from South Dakota. They met and had lunch at “The Wheel”—one of our old stomping grounds at KU. They were about halfway through lunch, and who walks in? It was KU basketball Coach Bill Self. They had a great little visit and Coach Self invited Chuck to come sit in on practice. First came the tour of the new facilities, and then Chuck, Roger, and Tommy settled in to watch the team at work.

About midway through practice, a voice called up to the stands, “Hey Chuck! Chuck! Why don’t you come down here?” It was Coach Self, motioning him down. Chuck happily obliged as Coach Self introduced Chuck to each of the team members—telling them Chuck was the one manager of our team, back when one manager did it all. (Today, there are 14 managers at KU). Coach Self asked Chuck to say a few words about what he was going through, and to give the players some words to live by. Chuck spoke to “never giving up” and “rising to the challenge”—and spent about 30 minutes in the middle of practice with the team, as the squad listened on.

As Chuck finished speaking, he looked around, and noticed that the team had dropped to a knee, and with heads bowed, someone began to lift Chuck and his cancer up in prayer—and the entire Jayhawk team, the managers, and coaching staff prayed together for him. It had to be a very special moment for Chuck.

You see, Chuck is part of the legacy of Kansas basketball—but he’s a very real person. And this team was demonstrating its walk--- in the decision they made to be involved with collegiate athletics, in playing ball at Kansas, and in affiliating with Coach Bill Self. It’s clearly a relationship that goes well past being a basketball player. It’s very much about who you will be--- and how you will conduct yourself in life. It’s top down stuff, and it’s not done for the cameras, for the press, or for show—but it comes from the heart.

It’s also about developing character, and it’s something Bill Self demonstrates in his walk, as he leads by example. This will be a great Kansas team to watch, as they compete, and further as they grow into men, and then head out into the world. I’m guessing (I believe correctly) that regardless of the number of hoops they make, or line drills they run while players at Kansas, they’ll be better people for their experience under a coach like Self—a guy who cares about people first—a proven leader and a great person.

Kudos to Coach Self and the Jayhawk team for recognizing what’s really important in life, and good luck this season.

And to Chuck—from everyone you selflessly helped each day---and from everyone who is part of the KU family--- we send our thoughts and our prayers your way. God’s blessings to you. Hang in there, bud.

***

I don't know if I am a part of the "love and light" crowd or not. I don't really spend much time assessing myself--seems there are plenty who take that on. But what I want to get across is, enlightenment or spiritual awakening doesn't make the less than perfect world disappear. I know for a fact that many of the most prevalent posters on this site have struggles they don't publish. Life isn't easy for anyone of us--but acknowledging that is difficult with a smile is a powerful act.

There is plenty to despair about, personally and globally. But as lightworkers we simply make that freewill choice not to give in to it. We choose love. We choose light, life and truth. We refuse to see things as "that's the way it is" and assert "this is the way it will be."

When I saw Chuck, at our Aunt's funeral (lung cancer, refused treatment). I had to ask. "Chuck, what have you learned from this battle with cancer?" I am always looking for some deep philisophical answer that will broaden my own view. He sat stil in thought then looked up at me and answered.

"I learned cancer sucks," was all the answer he had. All I had was a hug.

One of the hardest things for me, with regards to spiritual evolution (assuming I am not merely deluding myself) is straddling multiple realities, the various dimensions if you will. How can I go to some 5D lala land when those around me suffer? I am empathetic. Maybe an empath. I feel the suffering. I feel the grief. I feel the world crying out for a CHANGE. What can I do?

Shine Bright. Hang in there, bud.