When I was a young boy, I remember getting a lot of advice from older people and sometimes from my friends, especially hearing the saying:

Don’t count your chickens before they hatch, Danny!

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I doubt that there is even one person reading this who has not had a time in their life, when they got very excited, because of something fantastic that just happened to them. You know, when you finally get the nerve to ask a person to dance and then learn that the gal or guy, you were dancing with, was a great dancer – but only to find out they were gay!

Not that there is anything wrong with being gay.

For instance, if you are gay and in a gay bar, and you get the nerve to ask a gorgeous human being to dance and they say yes. But it is only later, when you want to dance to a slow song with them, that they look at you kinda strange and explain that they are straight!

And those are examples of counting your chickens before they hatched.

There is also a saying someone once told me:

It’s better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool – then to open it and remove all doubt.

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Well, I guess I might have put my foot in my mouth – again.

Danny, why the heck are you writing a story about chickens?

Spanky, go back to making words out of the letters in your Alphabet soup and leave the writing to me!

Anyway.

Last week, after my session with Dr. Karvat, my oncologist, I announced to the world that I was cancer-free! And that is what I believed at the time.

The only medical appointment I had now, was to see a speech pathologist – to see if my voice can be improved because it is so difficult for me to speak coherently – especially while wearing a mask!

But yesterday, when I got home from visiting my buddy Robert, at his place in Cloverdale, I checked the mailbox for snail mail and noticed that I had a letter from Christine and Bob, my previous neighbors in Langley. They are the friends I have mentioned before – who had Spencer, a beautiful dog, which they rescued on one of their trips to Nevada.

Sadly, Spencer passed a few years ago.

The second letter was a bit of a surprise.

It was from the BC Cancer Agency and it was addressed to me. I was not expecting anything from them, so after I looked after Holly, I sat down and opened the envelope.

Inside, I found the following:

• An appointment card, with lab appointments scheduled for March 30, April 30, May 30, and June30. There is also a teleconference appointment with Dr. Karvat, for July 7th, at 2:00 PM.

• Lab requisitions forms for each of the lab test appointments.

At least there are no appointments scheduled for more scans or biopsies. I assume that the good doctor wants to compare my bloodwork to ensure that everything is okay.

It was a bit unsettling but after I had had a good night’s sleep – I am seeing things differently and without the fear that I had initially when I first opened the letter.

Besides, I know I should not worry – after all, I am in the 40% group of patients who will survive cancer.

And Cancer is not the boss of me!

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This morning, I am taking Holly Golightly to my friend Gail’s place in Langley.

Gail has been grooming Holly, every couple of months for years and it is the only place where Holly feels comfortable. Here is a short video clip of today’s grooming results:

If you have a dog, who needs a bath, shampoo, and trim – Gail’s home in Langley is the best spa for dogs that you will ever find! And she is one of my best gal pals – ever!

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I am also auditioning for a commercial this morning by submitting a self-taped video clip of me as a homeless person. Break a leg, Danny!

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And in a few days, my buddy Bill Macdonald will be celebrating a birthday – his second birthday in less than a month!

I had sent Billy a birthday card in January but got a message back from him, that his birthday was in February! He is going to be 75 or 76, I think, but I cannot be sure.

I remember the great surprise party that Bonnie had for him on his 50th birthday, at the curling club in Moncton. Although everyone had kept the party a secret – Bill knew something was up when Scotty, General, and I were with him that day, at one of our favorite watering holes.

I am hoping that Bill and Bonnie will come to White Rock for a visit. Bonnie and Carole, her twin sister, was born in Vancouver and went to school there before moving to Moncton, New Brunswick. And Billy knew a good thing when he first saw her – and married her shortly after.

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So, things are not as scary as I had initially thought when I opened the mail yesterday – and I am smiling again.

Never give up! And never count your chickens before they hatch! I think that I will buy a lottery ticket today – I am feeling lucky!

Dedicated to Little Danny and Holly Golightly

I hope my stories are a gift to your head and heart.

Hugs,

Danny

Today’s tune from Danny’s library (purchased):

Many nights we prayed
With no proof, anyone could hear
In our hearts a hopeful song
We barely understood
Now, we are not afraid
Although we know there’s much to fear
We were moving mountains
Long before we knew we could, whoa, yes

There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail, it’s hard to kill
Who knows what miracles you can achieve?
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe

Oh-oh-oh
Mmm, yeah

In this time of fear
When prayer so often proves in vain
Hope seems like the summer bird
Too swiftly flown away
Yet now I’m standing here
My heart’s so full, I can’t explain
Seeking faith and speakin’ words
I never thought I’d say

There can be miracles
When you believe (When you believe)
Though hope is frail, it’s hard to kill (Mmm)
Who knows what miracles you can achieve? (You can achieve)
When you believe, somehow you will
You will when you believe

They don’t always happen when you ask
And it’s easy to give in to your fears
But when you’re blinded by your pain
Can’t see the way, get through the rain
A small but still, resilient voice
Says, help is very near, oh (Oh)

There can be miracles (Miracles)
When you believe (Boy, when you believe, yeah)
Though hope is frail
It’s hard to kill (Hard to kill, oh, yeah)
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve (You can achieve, oh)
When you believe somehow you will (Somehow, somehow, somehow)

Now, you will (I know, I know, know)
You will when you (When you)
Believe
You will when you (You will when you)
Believe
Just believe (Believe)
Just believe
You will when you
Believe

Songwriters: Babyface / Schwartz Stephen Lawrence
When You Believe lyrics © Songs Of Dwa, Dwa Songs