Chadwick Boseman... Wow, the news of his death stunned me. I know I am not the only one that was blown away by the death of such a wonderful actor who brought Black Panther to life, one of my favorite Marvel movies of all time. Boseman kept his diagnosis of colon cancer private, I wish he hadn’t but we all have the right to privacy so I respect his decision, I am sure he had his reasons.
As a person who has been experiencing the diagnosis of stage IV colon cancer and the therapies that go with it I can speak with a certain authority on living with this disease. The fact that he did all the things that go with making movies while receiving treatment for cancer all while staying buttoned up about it...BAD ASS! (Pun intended). I get it, you have a choice to leave a mark on the world that will go on way longer than you will or immerse yourself in focusing on your health. It’s like the speech in the movie “Braveheart” that William Wallace gives:
“Aye, fight and you may die. Run and you'll live -- at least a while. And dying in your beds many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one chance, just one chance to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take our freedom!”
It was a gamble he took. When I first heard the news about Chadwick Boseman, I was blown away by the fact that someone as successful as he was, a person who was most likely able to try all the therapies available, not to mention his youth, died! I have the same disease and am 7 years older...How the fuck?! Then I thought about it, he had an opportunity to do something cool, why not try to do both things? Become an icon AND survive cancer! I can only imagine what he went through, the stress must have been massive. I have performed too but I suffer for it every time. I have tried to go back to doing massage but have back slid in my health in doing so. If I pay the price for what I have done I can only imagine what he went through to maintain a grueling schedule, all that goes along with that AND receiving the treatments and surgeries to try and keep the cancer at bay.
Like I said, I have back slid here and there in order to test my limits and prove to myself that I can do things but what’s the point if I don’t? I believe you have to walk through the fire, at least occasionally, otherwise life becomes nothing but laying on the couch and watching Netflix, avoiding potential pain and never quite knowing your limits.
I am not a big deal actor and I probably won’t invent anything amazing or influence the youth in any positive way (though I would never rule that out) nor am I all that young but that doesn’t mean I can’t feel for my edges and shoot for something cool, maybe leave some kind of mark or inspiration... My low bar is to not be a jerk and to feel good enough to do life and be able to participate. My high bar? The sky is the limit, you just never know.
Charles reminded me of this quote from the movie “Blade Runner”, I will attach the short clip, I really think it applies.
Rest In Peace Chadwick Boseman, your light shown bright, love to you and your family. You will surely be missed.
Until next time ❤️