Imagine, / if you will / -- a gift. // I'd like for you to picture it in your mind. // It's not too big / -- about the size of a golf ball. // So / envision what it looks like all wrapped up. // But / before I show you what's inside, / I will tell you, / it's going to do incredible things for you. // It will bring all of your family together. // You will feel loved / and appreciated like never before / and reconnect with friends and acquaintances you haven't heard from in years. // Adoration / and admiration / will overwhelm you. // It will recalibrate what's most important in your life. // It will redefine your sense of spirituality / and faith. // You'll have a new understanding / and trust in your body. // You'll have unsurpassed vitality / and energy. // You'll expand your vocabulary, / meet new people, / and you'll have a healthier lifestyle. // And get this / -- you'll have an eight-week vacation of doing absolutely nothing. // You'll eat countless gourmet meals. // Flowers will arrive by the truckload. // People will say to you, / "You look great. // Have you had any work done?" // And you'll have a lifetime supply of good drugs. // You'll be challenged, / inspired, / motivated / and humbled. // Your life will have new meaning. // Peace, / health, / serenity, / happiness, / nirvana. // The price? // $55,000, / and that's an incredible deal. // By now / I know you're dying to know what it is / and where you can get one. // Does Amazon carry it? // Does it have the Apple logo on it? // Is there a waiting list? // Not likely. // This gift came to me about five months ago. // It looked more like this / when it was all wrapped up / -- not quite so pretty. // And this, / and then this. // It was a rare gem / -- a brain tumor, / hemangioblastoma / --the gift that keeps on giving. // And while I'm okay now, / I wouldn't wish this gift for you. // I'm not sure you'd want it. // But / I wouldn't change my experience. // It profoundly altered my life in ways I didn't expect / in all the ways I just shared with you. // So / the next time you're faced with something that's unexpected, / unwanted/ and uncertain, / consider that it just may be a gift. // Thanks. //