During my last visit to MD Anderson, I was told I must begin wearing a “medical alert bracelet.” When I first heard that, I can honestly say that I was less concerned with the condition that I have which requires this bracelet than I was with the fact that I’m not a “bracelet” kind of guy. I could have opted for a necklace, but I’d take my chances before I’d wear a necklace! While the doctor was telling me how I had to begin carrying a syringe with me wherever I go, and giving me instructions how to give myself a shot, my mind was still stuck on, “I have to wear a bracelet?”
So, here I am, with my “mark of Cain.” I suppose, in time, I’ll get used to the idea of wearing a bracelet (my apologies to all you braclet loving men). It’s just going to take me some time for the numbness to set in.
Okay, I’ll confess to exagerating…a little, but there is one thing this braclet does that I have found to be very helpful. Every day, it reminds me that I am mortal, and my life is tenuous. This past Sunday, I learned just how important the message on my bracelet is when I suddenly became ill.
I think one of man’s greatest probelms is that he doesn’t feel mortal. He lives as though he is going to live forever. And in so doing, he mis-prioritizes his life. I wonder how many people die with great regrets brought on by thinking, “I have plenty of time?” Well, if there’s one thing this bracelet is good for, it serves as a daily reminder to me that I have a mortal body. So, each morning as I fumble with the latching mechanism on my bracelet, I can give thanks to God for this bracelet for making me more aware of my need to do and say what needs to be done and said today.
