We’re all there, right where you are… in this day. With all life’s tasks, joys, gifts, and burdens. Often there’s only a whisper of peace in the chaos, but there is peace nonetheless.

What I wouldn’t give to trade places for just one day, almost anyone would work. They can have my stack of bills, and my schedule, and my past, and my pain. They can take those phone calls, and talk with my flunking child’s school, and take my visitor’s badge at the prison. Whatever problems they have, they can’t be worse than mine!

Simply ask around, who wouldn’t want to trade places with someone else? How would you decide who to trade with? I asked my friend Tommy, he said anyone would work, a trade lottery of sorts. That might work well, random trading, I get your life and you get mine, just for today. All the bad, and all the good.

Tommy mentioned he always wanted to ride a bull, and drive NASCAR, or tour around in the late sixties listening to the rock of the ages, dreams of dreams as he and his wife fight to feed and cloth three baby girls. Between his wife’s twelve-hour nursing shifts, and his spotty union operator trade. On this cold February morning, Tommy would trade with just about anyone, just for today. He loves his girls, all four of them. He loves his friends, and his mother-in-law who helps watch the girls while his wife’s at work. He fought cancer ten years ago, when he was single, without a care in the world. He was free to live, or free to die, and accepting of either.

Today it seems, he’d be willing to trade his day for yours, whatever your day looks like… so, you up for it? Not a single care you have right now will exist, none of your worries, none of your fears. Just for today. Of course you would, who wouldn’t? One little catch, you may feel a sharp little prick in your arm. You’ll be comfortable though, music, movies, just sit back in your lounge chair and relax. Take in the sight of the lake out the window, littered with ducks and diving eagles. Relax and take a nap, read a book. You don’t have to work today, the kids are taken care of, a good friend will be with you to laugh. Yes, with all your worries, and all life’s trouble, just for today you can forget it all and have a nice relaxing day at the cancer spa.

I think I’ll keep my problems, just for today! I love you Tommy, and I’ll be here for you til the end.

Your best friend,

Dave