This is your life...Deal or No Deal!

Welcome to 2007 gentle readers as The Body Politic updates it's look as well as it's committment to open dialouge, shared viewpoints and aggresive discussion of the issues affecting our communities statewide. Our mission, to be an online destination for the GLBT community and beyond is firm and our focus, to asking the questions, searching for the answers and seeking the accountability required in our future progress is laser driven. Our pledge is steeped in the words of William Jennings Bryant who stated," Destiny is not a matter of chance; but a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, It is a things to be achieved." We are preparing for an exciting 2007 and we hope you will be willing to take the ride with us!

"This is your life...Deal or No Deal became very apparent to me during the holidays 2006, juxtaposed to my recent total Hip Arthroplasty surgery on December 12, 2006. This procedure was necessary according to my surgeon and I felt that I had sufficiently prepared my self with a pre-opt and post-opt mindset. I constantly reviewed material and even had watched the surgery live on the internet. I was aware that complications were at a minimal and I was confident that I wouldn't be in that slight margin. However, I was rudely awakened on December 23, seriously realizing that my pleasant progress had been impeded and the complications that I thought would elude me, had me gasping for life. I had developed an embolism and in seconds life took on a new complexity. My lifemate summonded the paramedics, ambulance and I found myself in a whirlwind of medical professionals rushing me to the SVI emergency room. Every moment seemed so precious, especially the oxygen flow that I clinged to as we weaved in and out of traffic. The uncertainty of how severe your case is, the range of personal thoughts that race through your head are staggering and meanwhile you start assessing where you are in your relationship with God. It's happened again, life teaching me that nothing is promised and each day is very important for me to make a positive contribution to the universe, no matter what "case" you may open, you must choose to deal or not deal with the consequences that come your way. During my extensive hospitalization, I had many hours to comptemplate and reflect on what's really important to me personally and profesionally. In the quiet darkness of my room, I embraced the thoughts that" God never gives you to much to bear..." I will never forget New Years Eve 2006 as James and I laid next to each other watching the TV coverage of the world celebrations of 2007 realizing that it's not about balloons, dropping balls or coffetti but rather the quality of life your share with the one you love and the life you share each and every day.