Brave Enough To Be Bliss

Chapter 16 — Reflections & Decisions Chapter Dedication: Jace Ryan Ward February 18, 1999-July 3, 2021; Dr. Andrew Martin Schwartz, April 3, 1954 September 1, 2021; Dr. Paul David Ellison, September 28, 1935-July 9, 2023; Dr. Joseph B. Petelin, Dr. Shalaunda Gray, Dr. Kris Humphreys, Dr. Scott Kujath, Dr. Karl Stark, Dr. Cris Barnthouse, Dr. TJ Rasmussen, Dr. Mark Rasmussen and the hundreds of other physicians I have had the honor of working with throughout my career

“Be an example of the kind of conduct you wish to see in the world. Do not expect love, excellence, or generosity if you do not radiate such things.” Brendon Burchard

When I arrived in Michigan the second time, I sent a photo to a dear friend who has seen me through many ups and downs over the past 20+ years, and this was the email exchange…

On Sat, Oct 14, 2023 at 23:00 Ginger Bliss wrote: The colors aren’t nearly as vivid in pics, but the drive out was so amazing!

On Sunday, October 15, 2023, 8:51 AM, Friend wrote: I’m proud of you.

On Sun, Oct 15, 2023 at 12:18 Ginger Bliss wrote: Thank you! Why?

On Sunday, October 15, 2023, 7:10 PM, friend wrote: Your trip, courage, ability to learn, love and grow.

Mon, Oct 16, 2023 at 8:51 AM Ginger Bliss wrote: Couldn’t have done it without you.

And that was the truth. Without each person who has encouraged and loved me along the way, I don’t think I could have made it to where I am today. There were too many low points through the years when it would have been so easy to give up. And even though it felt like I was so alone, the truth of the matter is, in reality, I was never, ever alone. I didn’t watch America’s Got Talent, but I caught a replay of a performance by Nightbirde on Instagram. I was touched by her song, “It’s OK,” and her courage to share her terminal cancer diagnosis with the world before she performed. She died February 19, 2022, at 31 years of age. Despite, or perhaps because of her cancer diagnosis, she decided to live happily and spread joy for as long as possible.

“You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.” Nightbirde

Golden Buzzer: Nightbirde's Original Song Makes Simon Cowell Emotional - America's Got Talent 2021 - Bing video

How many of us understand how important this is, maybe are even inspired by someone like Nightbirde, but ultimately still refuse to face the pain in our lives in order to truly experience joy, not just episodic happiness in between life’s challenges? I sure did…for decades. In The New York Times Magazine article, “ What Deathbed Visions Teach Us About Living, ” published on March 12, 2024, the author Phoebe Zerwick refers to physician Chris Kerr saying, “Kerr has often observed that in the very end, dying people lose interest in the activities that preoccupied them in life and turn toward those they love. As to why, Kerr can only speculate. In his 2020 book, “Death Is but a Dream,” he concludes that the love his patients find in dying often brings them to a place that some call enlightenment and others call God. ‘Time seems to vanish,’ he told me. ‘The people who loved you well, secured you and contributed to who you are still accessible at a spiritual and psychological level.’”

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