It’s great to know that through our association with FMCA, we have a big family of friends to help us along life’s journey.
National President
Jon Walker, F268778
jwalker@fmca.com
“On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”
The above words are the earliest pledge I took as a young boy, when I became a member of the Boy Scouts of America. My grandfather, during his lifetime, was very active in Boy Scouting. He introduced me to the world of organized groups such as the Boy Scouts.
My dad always used to tell me that life is like a three-legged stool. He said that in order to have harmony in life, I had to keep my mental, physical, and moral legs balanced. He reminded me that if one leg of the stool is not in balance, you will fall down, flat on your face.
So, I did what I thought most kids did and tried to achieve balance in life. I was a “drugged kid.” My mom was our church organist, and any time the church door was open, I was “drugged” into the place. I can tell you that I have spent a lot of time inside church walls. I really tried to live the life of a good Christian.
I participated in all kinds of organized and other physical activities to keep my body healthy and in good physical shape. I did not drink or smoke. I did not participate in wild parties. I always tried to do the right thing.
I dated, fell in love, and married my high school sweetheart. We have spent the past 53-plus years together, raising two kids, helping five grandkids grow up, and enjoying every minute spent with these kids and grandkids.
We joined FMCA late in life. We loved the freedom of traveling all over North America in our converted bus. We found out how beautiful this land is. We met people from all corners of the Earth enjoying the fellowship of traveling, exploring, and seeing the wonders of nature and the world. We loved the feeling of independence we had while “living on the road.” We found “family” among the members of FMCA, and we embraced the mission of FMCA: “To bring together RV owners who share similar interests in congenial traveling, recreation, and social activities in order to preserve and perpetuate the traditional ideals and spirit of friendly and wholesome family fellowship as manifested by the founders of FMCA.”
During our journey in FMCA, we have met hundreds of people. We have truly embraced the family aspect of FMCA. We have made and continue to make new friends; we have lost friends due to sickness and age; and we have continued to love the RV lifestyle. In fact, our kids think we truly are members of some sort of “cult.”
With all this being said, I would like to share with “my FMCA family” the fact that I have been diagnosed with a malignant cancer of my thyroid. On September 11, 2020, I had elective surgery to try to stop the irregular heartbeat that I have had for over 10 years (atrial fibrillation). The eight-hour surgery was successful, and I now enjoy a good, regular heart rhythm.
What changed was that when my surgeon contacted me for a follow-up call after my heart surgery, he told me that the PET scan they took prior to the surgery showed a couple of spots that I should check out — one on my lung, one on my spleen, and one on my thyroid. When I completed the additional tests and a biopsy, I was completely shocked and shaken when told I had a cancerous growth on my thyroid.
The first thing I thought about was what was going to happen to my wife and children. Would I get to see my five grandkids grow up and establish their own families? What would happen “IF” the cancer surgery that will have to be done is not successful?
I then started to see that maybe I am not alone out there. After all, I have my FMCA family of over 144,000 members. In that group, I have seen so many, many members who are still going on with their lives in spite of terrible illnesses, including cancer — some carrying oxygen bottles with them, some using their walkers to help them get around, some in wheelchairs at our rallies.
I started to think about how I could do something to try to organize a process within FMCA so members could help other members through hardships. We have in our FMCA family three of the most qualified and capable chaplains I could ever hope to know. Maybe there is an opportunity to use the talents and skills of our chaplains to reach out to our members who have an illness such as I now have in order to share common experiences, so that the physical and mental and spiritual processes can work together to achieve a positive outcome. I keep remembering the three-legged stool and the Boy Scout oath. Maybe we can organize a way through the electronic Zoom media and in person at our conventions for our members to grow and overcome these problems.
I seek no sympathy in what I have shared with you. I hope to be able to keep you informed of my journey only to help you in your own journey. FMCA’s chaplains have a toll-free telephone number — (833) 458-0778 — that they answer whenever any member feels the need to talk. We established that telephone link when the COVID-19 pandemic started. I have asked our three chaplains to try to use their skills to set up a process or a program wherein members who have physical problems like I do now, or have spiritual needs and concerns, or are lonely or depressed in any way can get together and know that others share the same or similar issues.
I do know that during my life, I have been blessed to have had a mother and father who talked with me when I needed someone to talk to. I have a wife who has been by my side for over 53 years and who will be with me until my last breath. I have two wonderful ordained ministers to help share the good news to our FMCA flock, and I have one layperson chaplain who has a way with song that will stir your soul.
I know that we are all on this journey in life together, that we are surrounded by wonderful and kind friends, and that we all have the promise of eternal life if we choose to believe.
Won’t you join me on this journey? And . . . won’t you be my Valentine this year?!