A True Story

Been a couple days since I seen Pop but I have been keeping close tabs. Even back home there is just no way to deny the effect this journey has on a families life. But it is not necessarily always a bad deal....there are blessing along the way. Here is something I just had to share.
As you read the blog one topic keeps popping up and that is all the cool people we have met that have touched us in one way or another. As Shannon wrote recently, everyone of these folks has a story and this is so true. So it is appropriate that one of those people I met that has had a profound effect on me is named just that ....Tru Storey. His name may sound familiar to some of you because Tru is from Highlands county. I don't know all of Tru's story but what I do know is he is a character and I'm glad I met him. I had met his mother Bobby as she at one time worked for a local Agriculture company that I do business with. Now Tru is easy to pick out anywhere cause he will be the one in the building wearing camo. Although I may have met Tru somewhere before..... I really got to know him my first day at Hope lodge. In a dining room full of cancer patients you got it...he was the one wearing camo and I knew we must have something in common so we struck up conversation and begin to realize we probably knew each other. When his mother came down (she was helping Tru at Hope)we rekindled our friendship and reflected on the business we had done years ago. We laughed, joked and told stories about Pop. Tru remembered Pop giving him a sucker (lollipop) and pulling his hair or ear when he would walk by the table in the restaurant. Tru shared that he always admired Pop cause Pop had always shown him some attention.... there was something special about Mr. Weaver at the truckstop. But when Tru and I was by ourselves he shared some things that helped me understand what my Dad was going through. See...Tru has been fighting cancer a pretty good while and I must say is putting up one heck of a battle. He was in his final radiation treatments as my Dad was just getting started. Tru shared with me the secrets that helped him cope, helped him make it through when he didn't feel he could. Things that we could expect down the road. Things only a true warrior could share from his heart from his experiences on the battlefield. When I would see Tru over at treatment...or in the Lodge eating or just hanging out always wearing his camo shirt and hat....I often wondered if his choice of clothing was his way of dressing for battle. I teased him a couple times that he was wearing camo so if some of those doctors were trying to find him....he could effectively hide .... if he could get outside the building. We joked about going duck hunting in the pond across the way ... but figured it would be a fast track way to meet some nice Tampa PD.
I know this story is kinda going long.....and you probably are wondering where it is going. Well here it is. When I left the other day Tru had one more day of treatment.... he would be done Wenesday and he was "outa here". He was looking forward to a date with a tree stand in Alabama in hopes that a wayward buck deer would wander by. He most of all was looking forward to getting out of Moffitt as the Lodge was getting to him. Being inside was about to drive him crazy as only someone that spends most of their time outside could understand. So as I said my goodbyes to him the other day...I kinda figured it would be a while before I saw Tru again.
As I entered Lake Placid Family restaurant this am...early....low and behold who was there eating breakfast ..... I had to hug his neck...congratulate him on being out and share a good laugh or two. (See...there just was never any whining or complaining in Tru and my conversations.....no feeling sorry...just joy and appreciation for the day). But the main reason I share this is....Tru stopped by to see us.....to find out how Pop did yesterday afternoon (Wednesday). He didn't have too.... he just did. See...I realized at that point this morning that ... what God wanted me to see ...was that.... Hope changes people. Hope in the midst of cancer was what connected me and Tru. And I think we both have been changed. And before we when out seperate ways this morning....Tru offered that when he got back from Alabama he would go stay with Pop to give us a break. "Heck" he said....he had been there two months what was a couple days to help out....and besides he had been orientated and already knew his way around. To most it may have been a small gesture...but to me it was way more. With all that Tru had been through....that was like a warrior asking to go back out on the battlefield for a friend....to help in the only way he knew how. Tru...you may not be keeping up with this blog....but if you are ...... thank you brother for everything. You are a true friend.
And folks....that's a true story ...er Tru Storey.

I'll sign off for now.....with the most important task we have here on earth;
Love God and love people.
God Bless
TW