Years ago, my father was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, and given a 55% chance of surviving six months. The immediacy pushed him and my mother into writing out

Years ago, my father was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, and given a 55% chance of surviving six months. The immediacy pushed him and my mother into writing out the book they'd been thinking about for years, a book on manhood for their sons. He ended up surviving it, and actually being declared cured--chemotherapy+radiation worked really well for him. It was a terrifying time, though, and I was really glad that they took the time to write down these things for us in case we lost him. They ended up publishing the book and it's sold tens of thousands of copies, but for me it's still the book my father wanted me and my brothers to have if he wasn't there to talk about it.