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The choice is mine

Normally art magazines don't delve into the political realm. Then again so much of the art scene is political.

Recently the spouse of a candidate for the 2008 USA Presidential election has learned your editor's current worse fear: a recurrence of cancer. It isn't as though anyone suffering cancer hasn't asked whether to continue with one's activities and commitments. 

As someone who faces and faced the decision whatever they choose to do is absolutely right for them and should be beyond criticism even from the political theater. It's a valid question for someone in a public life pursuing a life of public service. It's disingenuous to back away from what isn't an embarrassing question but a natural one.

While finalizing the April edition, working on future editions it is there, and preparing for the six months of chemotherapy, deeply hidden, but a known known, the disease could return at any time. This effort the surgery, full attention to nutrition, exercise but not too much exercise and the drug therapy could all be a waste of time. That is negativism. International Art Treasures was born of the idea to positively showcase art past and present, both local and international. So often artists are vilified from pillar to post for their creativity. Something Michelangelo, Van Gogh and Monet all knew well.

The same positive attitude and attention does make this quite frankly rotten disease easier to manage. Yes it could all be a colossal waste of time but no more so than stopping to live for any reason, least of all a disease that can be beaten.

In February I refused to name the ailment, in March I did. It is difficult to answer "How are you?", "We haven't seen you?" Thankfully much of the efforts I've undertaken has put me in the best of health since I entered hospital, though certainly I am not anywhere near the usual level of good health. I am aware that the cycle will be to become as healthy as possible before and between chemotherapy treatments and then fight this Promethean physical battle.

Keeping up with as little or as much as I can do is what makes it all worthwhile whether it be editing a magazine or helping one's spouse in his political quest.