What's the single most important thing you accomplished in 2010? #postaday2011

There were many things that felt like accomplishments in 2010. But this is one that stands out and causes me to feel most fortunate - I turned 50 on October 28. I have never minded the act of growing old, in fact I have always thought of birthdays as a tremendous gift. The background behind this perspective comes from my older brother, Scott.

Scott was diagnosed with cancer in 1980, just after his 21st birthday. He died two months later, just before my 20th birthday. We were 17 months apart in age and went through a lot of the same experiences together. Scott had been in the Army for the past three years and was scheduled to be discharged in July (about a month after he was diagnosed). After passing out in a shower in Germany, he was transported back to the U.S. and was treated at Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Aurora, CO.

Fitzsimmons Army Hospital

 Scott had a tumor on the outside of his lung, between his lung and heart, the size of a grapefruit. It was inoperable. As I understand the type of cancer he had - it is not the type that could be cut - it had to be killed or shrunk. So, he received radiation and chemotherapy to accomplish this goal. Scott was a bit over 6 feet tall and healthy, weighed about 180 pounds. The treatments took him down to around 135-140 pounds and wiped out his appetite.

Our family - Mom, Dad, Tim, Lisa, and me - were all in Aurora shortly after Scott arrived. We spent July 4 together on the top of the hospital and viewed 8 or 9 different sets of fireworks displays. Scott was too weak to walk and we took turns pushing his wheelchair. July 4th always brings back this memory for me. After 3-4 weeks Dad had to get back to work and my younger siblings and I left with him - Mom stayed at the hospital.

The chemo and radiation did the job. The tumor had shrunk and Scott's appetite was back. Mom called home and shared the good news and said that Scott was asking for Taco John's - taken as an indicator that he was feeling better. Mom returned home and Scott's prognosis was good.

I'm not certain of the timeline, but I think Mom was home for maybe a week when a call came from the hospital that Mom and Dad needed to get back to Colorado immediately. Scott had pneumonia and his lungs were filling with fluid. They got on a plane immediately while family and friends took care of Time and Lisa, while attempting to find me. I was working in Winona, MN after finishing my first year of college.

Scott died around 10:30 pm on August 6, 1980. He turned 21 on May 20 that year. His death changed everything about life, family, and the future. Each birthday I had following his death - particularly my 21st - were filled with emotion and guilt. As the years passed I began to let the guilt go and let gratitude be the emotion I felt.

Growing old is something my big brother Scott never experienced. He lived a full life in 21 years, but deserved another 80 or more to do the things he planned on doing.

I wasted several of the years after Scott's death. But around the age of 29 years my thinking shifted and I began to put life into some order and purpose.

Turning 50 in 2010 is the single most important thing I accomplished in 2010. I honor my brother Scott and celebrate the gift of another birthday that I was fortunate enough to receive.

1st Sgt. Scott A. Rosenthal, Karlsbad, Germany 1980