September 13, 2022
Chapter 61: I Still Have Some Work To Do
As I sit here, reflecting on my life, I can't help but think about how quickly time seems to fly by. It feels like only yesterday that I was turning thirty, and now I'm about to celebrate the thirty-first anniversary of my thirtieth birthday. It's a milestone birthday, and I'm both excited and a little scared about what lies ahead.
Some think I am arrogant or don't want to share my age when I say I am celebrating the anniversary of my thirtieth birthday. No, that's not it at all. This thing is spiritual to me. This has meaning and purpose. In my early twenties, I had a doctor tell me that I was terminally ill and I would never live to see my thirtieth birthday. So, after that, I decided that first, I would live and not die, and second, I would now celebrate my birthdays by having anniversaries. So, here's to the thirty-first anniversary of my thirtieth birthday. And I am doing this to remind myself that I am a living miracle.
Each year comes with its own set of challenges. In 1988, I was sick unto death. Doctors had given up, people had given up on me, and some had started arranging my funeral services. I could not keep food or water in my system for almost a month; I went from a hundred and ninety-eight pounds to a hundred and twenty pounds. I looked like a mess, but God. I did not come out without scars, but I made it. Life was not through with me yet.
In October 2017, my doctor informed me that I had prostate cancer and that my PSA number had jumped from 2.0 to almost 12.0 in two years. My doctor immediately scheduled surgery to remove my prostate. After my surgery, my doctor informed me that cancer had protruded outside of the prostate walls. He then said that he thought that they had gotten it all, but only time would tell. After two years of being prostate cancer-free, my PSA numbers started to increase again in October of 2019. So, in June of 2020, I completed seven and a half weeks of radiation therapy, and once again I was cancer-free.
Fast forward to August 2022, and my PSA number is on the rise again. My doctor has recommended radiation therapy once again, but my insurance company is refusing to pay for the radiation therapy. So my doctor is looking at other treatment options.
But let me say this: the odds have always been against me, and I have beaten every one of those odds and have outlived most of those doctors and others that have pronounced my death. Don’t you dare bet against me because you will lose your money? I will live and not die so that I can tell the world what good things God has done for me.
I know that I have a lot of living left to do. I have a movie in me that Tayler Perry has yet to direct. I want to sit under one of Oprah's 3,000 trees in her backyard and discuss one of my books. I have songs that John Legend has yet to sing, and I'm looking forward to all the adventures and experiences that await me.
-Reflecting On Life So Far
It's been a long journey, and I've seen and experienced a lot in my life so far. There have been good times and bad times, but I wouldn't change a thing. Each and every experience has made me who I am today, and I'm grateful for all of them.
I've learned a lot along the way, and I continue to learn every day. I've come to understand that life is a journey, and it's not about reaching a destination. It's about the journey itself and the experiences we have along the way.
I'm grateful for all the people I've met and all the friendships I've formed. I'm grateful for the relationships I've had, both good and bad. I'm grateful for the lessons I've learned and for the wisdom I've gained.
I'm grateful for the good and the bad, the happy and the sad, the easy and the hard. I'm grateful for it all because it's all part of life. I'm grateful for the opportunity to live and experience life, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds.
-Looking Ahead To The Future
I have been working on my books, art, and music for years now, and I am finally at a point where I am ready to release them to the world. This is a huge milestone for me, and I cannot wait to see how people react to my work.
I have a lot of goals that I want to accomplish this year, and I am confident that I will be able to complete them. These goals include things like traveling more, getting in shape, and making new friends.
2023 is going to be a year of new experiences for me. I am looking forward to trying new things and expanding my horizons. This is going to be a great year!
-No One Can Predict the Future.
No one knows what the future holds. We could all be gone tomorrow. That's why it's so important to make the most of the time we have. We should all live like there's no tomorrow because we don't know what life has in store for us.
One thing we can be sure of is that life will always throw us curveballs. Just when we think we have everything figured out, something comes along to remind us that we don't. That's why it's so important to live in the present and enjoy the moment because tomorrow is never guaranteed. No one knows what the future holds, so there's no use living in fear of it.
-Live each day like it's your last.
Live each day as if it's your last. Do things that make you happy and that bring joy to your life. Enjoy the little things, because they're what make life worth living. Spend time with the people you love. Tell them how much you love them. Cherish every moment you have together because you never know when it will be your last. Look, you only get one chance at this life, and you don't want to regret not living it to the fullest.
-Don't Give Up and Keep On Pushing
No one ever said that life would be easy. There will be times when you feel like you can't push any further and you're about to give up. But remember, don't give up - you'll only regret it later. Push through the tough times and keep moving forward. With determination and perseverance, you can achieve anything you set your mind to. So don't give up and keep pushing!
-Die Empty
“Die empty." This is one of my favorite sayings. I always say that when I die, I want to die empty. I don't want to leave this world without any regrets. I don't want to leave this earth with any unfinished business. When I leave the dance floor of life, I want to be sweaty, I want to stink, I want to feel as if I gave it my all. I want to walk away tired, drained, and empty. I want people to talk about my last performance on the stage of life for years to come. I want to leave it all on the dance floor to show that I gave it my all. I want to leave the stage empty.
-Let Me End With This
Make an impact while you're here. We all have unique talents and gifts to share with the world. Use yours to make a difference in the lives of others. Touch as many lives as you can while you're on this earth and leave a lasting impression for generations to come. Make sure your time here counts for something good.
We all have our own unique stories to tell—so make sure yours is worth telling! Go out and live your life to the fullest. Step out of your comfort zone and try new things. Take risks and seize opportunities when they come your way.
Finally, fill your life with love. Fill your life with laughter. Fill your life with memories. Live hard, but love even harder.
This is Yvonne Liverpool Smith and Billy Hugh Smith, Sr.'s baby son. I miss you both.
Paul Steven Smith (Uncle Paul)
