Just over four years ago, a very good friend of mine, named Gene, dropped by my real estate office on a Saturday morning.

My partner Bruce and I greeted Gene warmly. A fellow Realtor, Gene had committed to joining our real estate team later that year.

Unfortunately, we soon discovered Gene had not stopped in to talk shop. No, Gene was on his way home from seeing an oncologist. Gene had just learned he had prostate cancer.

To make matters worse, Gene shared with us that his cancer was advanced and had metastasized to his bones. His doctor told Gene he had less than six months to live.

Ironically, I would soon learn that I, too, had cancer. My initial diagnosis was bone cancer. My thoughts immediately flashed back to Gene's sadly unexpected visit to my office a few short months earlier.

Fortunately, my diagnosis was later modified to multiple myeloma. Still cancer, but with a much longer life expectancy.

After the dust settled, Gene visited a number of prominent cancer clinics before deciding to use a smaller, local treatment center near Minneapolis/St. Paul. A combination of therapies slowed—then reversed—his cancer.

Less than two years away from his scheduled retirement, Gene and his wife, Roxy, sold their home and began to travel. Not only did Gene live long enough to retire with full benefits, he is still alive and well today. Gene volunteers at his church and visits friends, and the couple now winters in Arizona.

Fast forward to last week. At the top of my inbox sat an email from Gene. He and Roxy had just arrived in Arizona after completing 18 days on the road in their camper, visiting their son in St. Louis, friends in Omaha, and then the mountains and canyons of Colorado, Utah, and Arizona.

Gene should be an inspiration for all of us. Not only has he far outlived his discouraging early prognosis, Gene has packed a lifetime of living into a few short years.

It made my day when I read Gene's email. If Gene can do it, so can I! We may not be able to control our cancer, but we can strive to stay productive and make the most of the time we have left.

Thanks for the inspiration, Gene! May we both continue to live long and productive lives.

Feel good and keep smiling! Pat