Takers

Takers should be considered as bad as haters. Yet, we can hate haters. Let’s also hate takers. Takers, you know, those who make it all about them. So good, so smooth, so selfish. Take, take, take. Take until there’s nothing left.

And the takers keep taking.

It doesn’t matter how much money you make. What kind of car you drive, how big your house is, what kind of clothes you wear.

Whether you are stylish, have a million Instagram followers or use the best face cream known to humankind.

It doesn’t matter if you eat clean, are vegan and don’t Botox. It doesn’t matter if you don’t smoke, don’t drink or don’t swear. It doesn’t matter if you are black, white, brown or organic. It doesn’t matter how much sun cream you’ve applied. It doesn’t matter if you’ve taken all of your vitamins. It doesn’t matter if you are the best parent or child. It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter if you have tried at all. Because it’s not about you, not at all.

Cancer, the worst goddamnmotherfuckingsonofabitch taker.

It will take over your life and consume you in ways you never thought possible. It will take your tears and your laughter. It will take your youth; your golden years. It will take your sanity, your strength, your will to live. It will make near strangers bring you casseroles and baked goods. It will take your poise and your self-esteem. It will make you want, panic and try. It will make you hate. It will turn your life upside down with guilt, sadness, shame, desperation. It will try to take you, your wife, your husband, your son, your daughter.

Don’t let it. Take it back. Take the taker. Focus on survival, not destruction. Let it give you something it can’t take: hope.

For Alice, Bee, Mick, Ty, Suzanne, and Travis. Sometimes problems need money thrown at them. Cancer is one of those problems. Whatever institute or charity you support, throw more money at it. Help my friends. Help yours. There are people in your life right now who have cancer and don’t even know it yet. Help them. Let’s take it back. Get rid of cancer. Find a cure. Help hope survive. @macmilliancancer, @CR_UK