Diagnosis.

Butterflies rise in my stomach as I stand back and watch Ellen rock our sweet Naomi to sleep. Tears form in the corners of my eyes recounting the day two officers delivered terrible news on my front door step. My heart is at ease when Ellen grabs my hand pronouncing "I do."

My life's memories are whisked away as the doctor calls my attention back to the cold office we are sitting in. My thoughts back in focus, I pick up the packet in front of me. I am bombarded with bright colors, words of scripture and families holding hands together. "Mr.Pierce, is there someone we can call?I know this can be a lot to take in at once and opinions of loved ones are important. "

I decline. I don't want my daughter and wife to see me wilt away from radiation treatment. I would rather the cancer take me swiftly and I have the honor to say I was in control of my life until the very end. I can only hope my family will understand in this moment I was my strongest. I pray Naomi doesn't grow up believing her father was a coward but recognizes that there are moments in life were true courage is often the hardest path.