The Back Cover for It Takes 2.
Sometimes to go forward you have to go back. Back to basics, back to gratitude for what you have, who you are and with whom you are fortunate to share your life. Chapter 2 in, It Takes 2 is titled, A Hero Rises. Tomorrow you’ll find out why. I already know the answer, though on April 13th, 2012 there were only questions, after the parking lot call that started it all.
But from that day, the day my wife called to tearfully tell me the test results were malignant, we took two steps back, together, and began the long journey forward, which has defined us and our family. Tomorrow that journey will officially be launched worldwide in the pages of It Takes 2. Surviving Breast Cancer: A Spouse’s Story.
Debbie is cancer-free and at the core of all of this, it’s all that matters. She accepted the challenge, made the decision and changed her life, and ours. It was scary, it was tough, at times it seemed it was too much, but she “fought like a girl”, with all the life energy she could muster and she made it through. To say cancer is only in our past would be to discard the journey. The aftermath leaves a physical scar and an emotional one which will be slow to heal. But starting tomorrow, we are raising our voices, sharing our story, and hoping it brings inspiration to the future for many.
The components are all in place for a launch: the book (that’s a great place to start), the Facebook page (spouses-story), the Twitter account (@spousesstory), a TV appearance (and more to come), a radio campaign and web promotion, two book signing events (so far), a charity event (more to come), a website (I’m holding my breath on this one to be ready tomorrow), www.spouses-story.com, and then there’s that book launch benefit party, which from what I’m hearing is turning into quite the event. And though she’ll never take the credit, it all really comes back to my wife.
I kept track of the details in my online journal, shared my perspective, shared my emotions, shared my heart. But she was the story and the story took care of itself. It has all the trappings of a compelling one: shock, adversity, fear, tears, toughness, obstacles, setbacks, courage and inspiration. Add to that a mix of reflection, introspection and even a smile at times, and you’ve got a story of life… a true story, raw and uninhibited, wrapped in a blue and pink book cover. Beginning tomorrow, we hope the world chooses to unwrap it and take a look.
Speak from the heart and everyone who has one will buy in. Tomorrow, my heart is wide open.
Until next time, thanks for taking the time.
Mark