Cancer Loses Fight with Dad

Recently I came across a story that really gave me inspiration. A father in Richmond Virginia was diagnosed with cancer and was told he only had a ten percent chance of survival. Facing the reality that his little girl was likely to grow up without a father he considered how he might remain a big part of his child's life throughout her formative years. Not an easy task when you don't expect to be around. 

What did he come up with? 826 napkin notes! That's right 826 notes to be put in her lunch each day until she starts college. The notes would contain his thoughts on life, and famous quotes to guide her and help her grow. What an inspiration! Rather than accept the fact that he wouldn't be able to help his daughter through life, he showed cancer he would not be beat. Not physically, that he couldn't control. But what he could control was the legacy he left behind.

This is one of the best examples of the indomitable nature of the human spirit I have ever seen. Many people would have just resigned themselves to their fate and slowly withered away. Garth Callaghan chose to take control in the only way he knew how. We all have this potential inside us. No matter what the nature of the adversity we might face, we can chose to control how we react to the situation. That in and of itself is a victory.

Callaghan went through three bouts of cancer, but he never gave up, he never let himself believe he had no control over the situation. The love of his family was always a constant, and ultimately he beat the odds. He shows no signs of cancer, and it looks like he will be there to put his napkin notes in his  daughters lunch personally. I don't know about you, but this story certainly left a lump in my throat.

For every story like this with a happy ending, there are likely ten that won't end as well. Mr. Callaghan didn't expect his story to end like this either. What this teaches us is to take control wherever we can, and we will leave an impression for those we leave behind. Even in our darkest times we can choose to make the lives of those around us better. Truly inspirational!

Have you been inspired by someone in your life? Leave a comment, I'd love to hear your story!