"Breaking Good"

To die of old age means one fully lived; but to die of cancer feels as though life has been cut short. It might be the binge-watching of "Breaking Bad" that has ultimately led to the realization of life, and how I would hope to handle the diagnosis of a terminal disease - and to me, there are two ways to deal with it, one of which is inspired by a close family friend who recently lost his battle to cancer at 51 years old. 

Though I am only halfway through the second season, Walt has clearly taken his cancer diagnosis to the extreme. He chose isolation rather than the comfort of family; fear instead of hope; and turned to crime instead of facing the fight. Walt hides his secret life of making meth in a mobile lab, inevitably to pay for treatment and leave his family well-off, but leaves his family wondering why the man of the household continuously disappears. 

A former soccer coach, best friend's dad, Dad's best friend, and loving father and husband, was cracking jokes up until he passed away in January. Doctors gave him 6 months to live when he was diagnosed with cancer last year. Instead he lived another six thereafter. Steve always had a smile on his face; he never looked worried or scared - or if he did, he never did show it. He fought, day to day, and he remained strong for his two daughters and wife. A month before he passed, Steve assured us he would walk his daughter down the aisle, and to see his youngest graduate from college. He gave all of us hope - and furthermore, taught us all about forgiveness.

Maybe I was naive, maybe I chose not to accept it - maybe I was a little like Walt when I first heard of Steve's diagnosis. I knew Steve's humor, his determination, and his family's support would get him through the cancer - and I know it did. It was a fight that should have been lost long ago, but Steve proved everyone wrong. And, he showed us even in the darkest of times, there's still room to smile.

RIP Steven B. Neal.