Reflect more about all that is good in our lives
Tom Swift • published August 3, 2008 12:15 am




As I was sitting in my van getting ready to drive home from work, a pretty young woman came out of our building and walked to her car. She had changed out of her work clothes into blue jeans and a white tank top.

I guessed she was going to meet her husband for a picnic or watch a ballgame or join friends for a casual dinner. She saw me, smiled and waved, and drove away, apparently without a care in the world.

I wanted to say to her, “Grab this moment of your life and squeeze all the happiness out of it that you can. Be aware how wonderful it is to be young, healthy and carefree. Enjoy these gifts while you have them!”
Joys of the moment

My next thought was to remember how often, in the midst of my own youth and health and life, I have not appreciated the joy of the moment.

On the contrary, I have spent way too much time thinking about what has been wrong with my life rather than what was right.

A failed marriage and two difficult church ministries gave me more than enough material for negative thinking.

Yet that is not a fair summary.

Two children were born within that marriage.

My wife and I reached educational goals, bought two homes, traveled, had fun and supported each other in our careers.

My ministries gave me the opportunity to study, develop pastoral skills I still use and make a difference in people’s lives.

So why did I spend so much time focusing on the negative?

Another thought has come to me as I drive to east Tennessee to see friends. My route crosses the Appalachian Trail at Sam’s Gap, a place where I have started several backpacking trips.

With a map in my hand and all I needed to survive on my back, I had a sense of self-sufficient freedom.

Did I ever stop to appreciate the sheer joy of shouldering a backpack and heading up a trail on my own two feet?

Choices are ours

As the pretty young woman drove away, I realized I still have a choice, the same choice I have had all my life.

I can mourn what has been lost to my illness (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease), but I need not dwell upon it.

Instead, I can rejoice in what I still have. I can focus upon what I can no longer do or I can take joy in what I can do.

I choose to rejoice. I choose joy.

Somehow my illness has taught me that life is good. My physical state is not what I want it to be, but much of my life is wonderful.

My daughters are healthy and happy.

My friends amaze me with their love.

My work is meaningful. I have a home and food and clothing.

I can see a beautiful sunrise in the morning and be awestruck by the stars at night.

I can laugh and think and pray and love.

Life is good, and I am grateful.

Tom Swift, D. Min., is a chaplain with CarePartners Hospice & Palliative Care Services. A monthly ALS support group for patients and caregivers meets in Asheville. The next meeting will be Aug. 10. Contact facilitator Pamela Brown at 252-1097 or at pbrown@catfishchapter.org for more details.



http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pb...D=200880801032

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Chaplain Continues Hospice Ministry Even
Following Own Diagnosis of Lou Gehrig’s Disease
By Stephanie Dufner


It takes faith, courage and hope to work day after day with those who are facing terminal illness and Rev. Tom Swift, a Hospice Chaplain with CarePartners Hospice and Palliative Care in Asheville NC, has been offering comfort and support to those facing death for many years. Some of those helped by Rev. Swift died of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) , also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. In February 2007, Rev. Swift was diagnosed with that same disease.



Rev. Tom Swift

A physically, spiritually and intellectually active 49 year old man, Swift suddenly encountered a personal challenge that dwarfed anything else he had previously faced. Not only was his diagnosis a disease that is considered terminal, it is also an illness that can potentially paralyze the entire body. This was a diagnosis that can challenge even the hope and faith of someone like Rev. Swift, a man who has counseled drug abusers, ministered a congregation, and supported those facing death.

After the initial shock of his diagnosis wore off, Swift began to write a series of articles for the Asheville Citizen Times about his life and how he was coping with the progressive, neurodegenerative muscular disease that usually has a survival rate of two to five years from the time of diagnosis. Then, despite the fact that speech was becoming more difficult for him, Swift began to accept community speaking engagements to discuss his experience with ALS.

Whatever opportunities and interests he pursues, including missionary work in Honduras, writing, kayaking, backpacking, hiking, creating stained glass, learning the star constellations, having friendships, and earning a doctorate of ministry, Swift approaches all of these with passion, dedication and commitment. These attributes are also reflected in his work as an advocate for The ALS Association and as a participant at the chapter’s support group meetings. His two daughters, Catherine, 14, and Emma, 17, could not be more proud of him.

“His articles and public speaking have been candid and inspiring to many,” said Sue Humphries, the director of patient services for The ALS Association’s Jim “Catfish” Hunter Chapter. “His willingness to speak publicly about his disease is a gift to the chapter and all North Carolinians. We have offered our chapter’s support services to him but in reality we are the beneficiaries of his generosity, his talents and his honesty.”

The chapter has asked Tom Swift to represent the “face” of ALS in North Carolina as part of the “ALS Across America” campaign during ALS Awareness Month in May. The national campaign seeks to recognize courageous individuals with ALS These special individuals reflect the spirit of the organization as they make a positive difference in their community by expanding awareness of ALS and embodying the spirit of living life to the fullest.

Swift and his daughter Emma will join a large chapter constituency from the Jim “Catfish” Hunter Chapter as attendees at The Association’s annual National ALS Advocacy Day and Public Policy Conference in Washington, D.C.

“Tom is well known in his community and is willing to do whatever he can to help spread the word about ALS and the chapter,” Humphries said.

For more information about The Jim "Catfish" Hunter Chapter of The ALS Assocation, visit www.catfishchapter.org.