I have been inspired to finally post again after the events of the last 2 weeks. Last Saturday around 6:50 pm my friend John Buskirk passed away in his home. I refuse to use the phrase, "Lost his battle with Cancer." Buzzy, as his high school friends know him, hardly lost. He used his fight with cancer to touch so many peoples hearts. If nothing else he beat leukemia twice, so to use a sports analogy he's 2-1 and faced his defeat as a hero and with the dignity to do it on his terms; at home with his adoring, (and just as inspirational), wife Jessica, his friends, family, and his dogs. He has inspired us to over come our obstacles not just those that are life and death but also the little things, in comparison, that we face each day. He showed us how to do this with a smile rather than a woe-is-me attitude.
Sts. John and Paul has been selling "BUZZstrong #55" wristbands. These are similar to the Lance Armstrong wristbands that have been popular for the last 5 years or so. I always viewed the Armstong bands as a message about training and competing especially when there's a nike swoosh on it. These seem to carry so much more of a message with them, a reminder of how precious every day is. To enjoy your time with friends and family. To not let your anger about your problems get the better of you.
If you are reading this and don't know University of Florida Coach Urban Meyer befriended John and wore his BUZZstrong wristband during the National Championship game, you can see it on his wrist as he holds the crystal football Coach's Trophy above his head after the game.
One of the many lessons I've learned from Buzzy's struggle was in vanity. Most healthy people tend to shy away from pictures because they are worried about how they look. Buzzy looked far from the healthy, handsome guy he was in some of the photos displayed around their house. The treatments made him appear very bloated and sometimes jaundice, yet he can be seen in every photo taken with friends and family with a giant smile that made me always feel he'd be okay and how happy he was to be alive.
I don't wanna take your time with a bunch of stories so I've been trying to decide how to explain to people why Buzzy was such a great man or why he was so unique. As I pondered this my thoughts turned to what I'll miss most. It's going to be his handshakes. I've never encountered anyone else with this ability. The best way I can describe it is that Buzz had a way of shaking your hand that was more of a hug than a handshake. The warmth that I always felt can't be duplicated. When he asked how I was doing it was always 100% genuine. If you didn't know him personally I hope I explained this okay, if you did know him then I'm pretty sure you know exactly what I mean.
I am glad that John's suffering has ended, and consider myself so blessed that minutes before he left us, (physically), I was at his side and got to tell him how I felt about him. Again thanks to Jim Timonere for urging me to visit him sooner rather than later. All the blog posts and blog comments I could write can't compete with the chance to have said goodbye in person. And as opposed to some of my lengthy posts my words were straight and to the point. I really had no choice as I tried to get the words out inbetween the overwhelming urges to cry.
I was in search of a quote to describe Buzzy and came across one from Christopher Reeve. Reeve spent much of his life known as a comic book superhero but just like John when he faced life or death circumstances became a true hero. He said:
"When the first Superman movie came out I was asked, 'what is a hero?'... My answer was that a hero is someone who commits a courageous action without considering the consequences...Now my definition is completely different. I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."
Sts. John and Paul has been selling "BUZZstrong #55" wristbands. These are similar to the Lance Armstrong wristbands that have been popular for the last 5 years or so. I always viewed the Armstong bands as a message about training and competing especially when there's a nike swoosh on it. These seem to carry so much more of a message with them, a reminder of how precious every day is. To enjoy your time with friends and family. To not let your anger about your problems get the better of you.
If you are reading this and don't know University of Florida Coach Urban Meyer befriended John and wore his BUZZstrong wristband during the National Championship game, you can see it on his wrist as he holds the crystal football Coach's Trophy above his head after the game.
One of the many lessons I've learned from Buzzy's struggle was in vanity. Most healthy people tend to shy away from pictures because they are worried about how they look. Buzzy looked far from the healthy, handsome guy he was in some of the photos displayed around their house. The treatments made him appear very bloated and sometimes jaundice, yet he can be seen in every photo taken with friends and family with a giant smile that made me always feel he'd be okay and how happy he was to be alive.
I don't wanna take your time with a bunch of stories so I've been trying to decide how to explain to people why Buzzy was such a great man or why he was so unique. As I pondered this my thoughts turned to what I'll miss most. It's going to be his handshakes. I've never encountered anyone else with this ability. The best way I can describe it is that Buzz had a way of shaking your hand that was more of a hug than a handshake. The warmth that I always felt can't be duplicated. When he asked how I was doing it was always 100% genuine. If you didn't know him personally I hope I explained this okay, if you did know him then I'm pretty sure you know exactly what I mean.
I am glad that John's suffering has ended, and consider myself so blessed that minutes before he left us, (physically), I was at his side and got to tell him how I felt about him. Again thanks to Jim Timonere for urging me to visit him sooner rather than later. All the blog posts and blog comments I could write can't compete with the chance to have said goodbye in person. And as opposed to some of my lengthy posts my words were straight and to the point. I really had no choice as I tried to get the words out inbetween the overwhelming urges to cry.
I was in search of a quote to describe Buzzy and came across one from Christopher Reeve. Reeve spent much of his life known as a comic book superhero but just like John when he faced life or death circumstances became a true hero. He said:
"When the first Superman movie came out I was asked, 'what is a hero?'... My answer was that a hero is someone who commits a courageous action without considering the consequences...Now my definition is completely different. I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."
Finally, I know I will never be the man that John Buskirk was, but to honor is memory I will try to live my life a little more BUZZstrong!
****If you would like to read more about Buzzy's story you can do so at coachjbuzz.blogspot.com
****If you would like to read more about Buzzy's story you can do so at coachjbuzz.blogspot.com
