November, 13, 2011
2759 N Desert Avenue
Tucson, AZ. 85712

My Dear Friends and Family,

First I must apologize for taking so long to write this letter to you all. My excuse, such as it is, rests in the profound and wonderful shock of finding out that the cancer is 100% gone...total remission...from Stage IV to 0. Perhaps you can imagine hearing the news that you have contracted a dread disease, and maybe you can put yourself in the place I lived in for the majority of this year - in the process of treatment, accepting the fate that life has given and aware that the future is totally uncertain (which it always is, though we tend to ignore that fact.) However, I wonder if you can imagine the potent and powerful news that you have been blessed with a new chapter of life, uncolored by the disease you knew could end it. It is taking a while to process that information in my heart and totally believe in it.

So, now to the body of this letter. What I want to tell you is that in the most amazing way, this experience has been a Real blessing to me. Despite the pain and suffering, the uncertainty and fear, and the devastating expense incurred by being sick in our society without health insurance (though, as many have told me insurance is not much of a bulwark against financial ruin); despite all this, I say it was a blessing. Why? Because throughout this experience I was totally immersed in the loving embrace of all of you. You buoyed me up when spirits sank, you supported me when I felt powerless to tread the deep waters, and without your support: emotionally, spiritually and financially, I do not think the outcome would have been so positive.

So how can I repay the generosity of spirit, heart and pocket meted out by such a loving community? There is no way. I am simply in your debt and the best repayment I can offer is to live this new life with as much joy, gusto and thankfulness as I can. Still, everyday I will do my best to pass this gift on to any and all I meet, for whatever that is worth, and I will do so without expectation of reward or recognition, since that is how all of you have behaved. What a glorious demonstration of the New Humanity! I will take love seriously and whatever trials that come my way lightly, for any such trials should only witness the blessing of this new life.

At home I have a wall papered with cards wishing me health, love and support, they seem too numerous to count. The website Margo and Vicky created (which, of itself, allowed me to get the treatment that saved my life), has the names of hundreds of friends, family and even a few people I have never met, all of whom gave from their hearts. Each gift was precious and equal to me, (whether a dollar or thousands) and I thank you all equally. I believe, adding up all those who have sent prayers, wishes, good thoughts, words and financial support, the numbers exceed a thousand loving hearts. I am humbled and overwhelmed by this extravagant show of support and love. I must say that the hopes and visions of a world built with brotherly love and high ideals, which filled the aspirations of my youth, has been revived along with my body....yes, there is hope for our tattered world, hope, meaning and LOVE, and I thank you also for that renewal.

Sincerely yours,

John Patrick Mijac