What's Important

Today Jon Lester pitches for the Boston Red Sox against the Cleveland Indians, his second season pitching in the major leagues. What's not important is that a 20-something year old is making millions and has the job of a lifetime. What is important is that little over a year ago, after a minor car accident Lester went to the hospital complaining of what he thought was related chest pain. Days later the tests came back... cancer. Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma to be exact. On top of the world, in the middle of his rookie season for one of the greatest baseball teams in the country he was cut down by the fragility of our mortality. One year later he has battled through the chemo, the tiredness, the pain and has gone back to doing what he loves to do, the only thing he knows. And for that bravery and perseverance I salute him. Sometimes sports, with all the bullshit about Balco, and Barry Bonds, and steroids, and scandal can still inspire us all. We should all use this occasion to stop, enjoy everything, and appreciate everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't.


I love you dad.