Tag, You’re It!

Hi Jim,

I love reading what you write. And yes, it is too funny and too sad at the same time. But, I am glad you are writing. I didn’t know you well in High School ( I went to Col-High) but I dated and ended up marrying Steve Beard (who went to Sooner with you). LeAnn was one of my pledge sisters. Anyway, I guess that’s our connection. Your writing is a great gift. So many people have the words in their heads and yet fail miserably when they try to express them on paper. Your words flow seamlessly. Amazing. Your advice on making at least one memory every day really touched me. And changed me. Thank you!

I hope you feel better today!
Beth

ok, now i’ll write. i’ve thought about it many times but for some reason i just didn’t. i live here in okc. i’ve read all the posts since the beginning and everything on your web site. i love the list of movies and books. we agree on lots of them. i’m sure you feel like shit right now. chemo sucks. however, your newspaper offerings are absolutely outstanding. they’re inspiring, heartfelt, raw, honest, captivating. i think of you and your family everyday and i don’t even know you guys. we’re about the same age and both have a boy and a girl. mine are just a bit older. so it feels like we’re “stranger friends”…i stole the term from someone’s blog, but it fits. so stranger friend, hang in there through the post chemo days and then get out and show your bald head to the world!!!

I think that your blog is just fine, you should have the freedom to say what you need to or want to. Actually, I am a bit jealous or in awe of your wordsmithing.
I feel that some moments during my cancer treatments 8 years ago slipped through my fingers or chemo brain. I had a head shaving party at my hairdresser’s with Jamba juice cocktails and a friend taking pictures.
The surreal moment was when I walked into my bedroom and jumped because there was some strange animal on the bed! It was my new wig!! Never did bond with that thing….
Some of the time was a blur and I didn’t have the energy to document. I appreciate each day past the stage III breast cancer treatment and I am trying to capture the joy out here for each day. Thanks for being part of that for me. day by day, Laura

I’ve know Jim since junior high school and lost touch over the years. It was somewhat of a fluke of how I heard of his situation, but have really enjoyed catching up and reading the series. I’m located in Austin, Texas and I’ve tried to get by and see Jim at some of his events. It really is amazing that when I get the opportunity to see him here in Texas, I’m in Oklahoma seeing a family and when he is doing an event in Oklahoma I don’t have the time.
The series has really made me think about how fortunate I am to know Jim and how I wished I would have kept in contact with him and a lot of other friends we had in common. I know for me I’m trying to reconnect with some people that I should have never lost contact with before it is to late. You never know when things do come up and you may never see that person again. I’ve had a scare in my life lately with my wife. She was diagnosed with a tumor in December that started out small and by the time it was removed had grown to the size of nerf football. Thank God it was benign, but it made for a few tense months. The series has really made me realize how important it is to live life to its fullest and to remember all the good times. Hopefully I will get to see Jim soon and we can get caught up on some stories and events that I’m sure we will get a good laugh from.

Reading you from Florida, in fact checking everyday for a new post. Your posts are just right. You are giving blessings of which you have no idea.

Hey old roommate! Bunk beds. Seriously, I was scratching my ear. What did you think I was doing? I love you, I’m thinking about you, and come and visit!

Okay, we’ve heard from my old friends Jerry from high school and Dave the Guitar Man from college, who lives in California and sang in my wedding I might add. We’ve also heard from Beth, a gal I knew in Bartlesville, although she went to the “other” high school. We heard from Laura, who is 8 years out from stage 3 breast cancer, and we heard from Becky, my new “stranger friend” from OKC. And last but not least, “K Jones” who writes from far, far away Florida.

I’ve also received many notes on my website. Keep ‘em coming!!!!!!!!

I question this line: “It’s kind of like having a hangover, I hear”. Whaddaya mean, “I hear”? Have you completely forgotten college?

Your blog is great. I don’t think it’s too sad at all, but it’s really been my goal to tell you more of what I’m doing. I entered a writing contest…if you’re interested, I’ll send you what I wrote. It’s a good way for you to see a side of me you didn’t know. Please tell me when you’re coming to Austin, and I’ll go to whatever reading you’re doing if you’ll invite me.

Hey Jim,
I saw your moms video version of the spray painting incident at Col-Hi, funny she didnt mention the other things that were drawn on the building other than Sooner# 1.
I feel bad, that Ron Kohler and I ratted you and Terry out, since you guys had actually gotten away from the cops, by actually running. I guess I froze, panicked, whatever, but shouldnt have ratted you out. Im sorry for my part in that.It was funny as hell and foolish at the same time, and would do it again anyday. It was great seeing you in December at your Birthday event.I have been looking forward to the Sunday paper since the articles came out. Ive been saving them.

Just wanted to say hi to my late night IM buddy. Haven’t seen you on lately but, oh yes, I have been up late and looking. I always think of LeAnn’s birthday on April Fools. Still glad she is older than me, if only by a month! I’m hoping to get to OKC in June and want to see you guys then. Thank you for inspiring me everyday! Your words are my daily therapy! Love you lots, Rachel

Have I told you lately how proud I am of you and how much I love you? I’m sure I have, but just in case, I am and I do.

Hey, Jim! I’m here lurking about, reading all your posts. I personally think they are awesome. I appreciate your openness, honesty, and frankness…not to mention your humor! I don’t have any specific memories from our school days to share…though I remember many of the events you and some of your buddies write about. I do have a vague recollection of you being my lab partner in Mrs. McIntosh’s biology class in 8th or 9th grade…do you remember that, or am I incorrect?

BTW…I will dropping off the last 10 of your books to the office of a really fantastic oncologist here in Tulsa soon. So, mission accomplished…almost! I will let you know when i get them delivered.

Hey, Jim! Here is your shout out from Arkansas! I loved your book and I look forward to the laugh, smile and tears your blog brings to me. I’ve known you and LeAnn since college and I was part of the VR cast when you met. I remember how devasted we all were when we didn’t get selected for the show – to be young and have so few worries. You are amazing and I am proud to know you.

Hey Jim! I’m just enjoying the much needed rain here in Atlanta today. You’ve been on my mind alot lately. I love coming to your sites to read your “words of wisdom” it makes me feel connected to you and your beautiful family.

I always smile when I think of high school and you – with how silly you were and how you always loved to get a good laugh. It seems like those traits have not left you!! I’m sure you feel like crap today…..but I hope you start feeling better soon.

Hey Jimmy!
I check your blog daily, too. I am so proud of you and how witty you are. I just wanted you to know that we regularly pray for you. In fact, you are one of Logan’s nightly prayer requests.
I can’t imagine you without your hair. You are so brave. I wish I could magically make everything better for you.
I love you,
Cindy

Jim,
I love the blog! Although reading from Connecticut, in those moments I feel that I am by your side. And also, later, that you are by my side as I listen to my friend awaiting test results on that suspicious tumor, or listen as another friend creeps through the healing of losing his beloved wife. Life throws unpleasant surprises at us. Sometimes they are way unfair & more than we think we can bear. I’m not pretending to know what that feels like…I DON’T. Perhaps I will someday, even tomorrow, but you help me understand and, as I’ve told you before, you help me love better. And isn’t that what life is all about?

So, your writing gift is a treasured gift to all of us.

But, it comes to us at a great cost to you. I’m so sorry. So very sorry. Thank you, Jim & family, for your courage. You are an inspiration. In spite of everything, you love and you laugh, and THAT is victory over it.

Of course, I continually pray for a different kind of victory to come to you soon!

Love you Jim,
Julie

Jim- Reading from Las Vegas, it has become part of my daily routine. Your ability to maintain your sense of humor through this is a source of strength to a lot of us.

Julie- I’m sorry about the ” Send Julie Hershberger to Iran Campaign” during high school. We only raised about $25.00

Hey Jim,

I have been following your postings recently and admire your honesty in all your writings and poetry. You have an abundance of friends my man, some from so long ago that follow your daily routine. That’s true love and friendship there.
The spirits always live on. Sooner Spartan.
p.s. Did you get a flat-top? Get feeling better.
Rick Neal

Jeff – Iran?!?!?! Ok, that isn’t very nice. But then, it was high school, and I suppose I wasn’t nice either. So you are forgiven. Now about that $25…

Appreciate the insight you’ve given us. The authentic combination of honesty, wit, fears, and memories that is incredible. Great job. For those wondering, his story (Childhood memory video blog) is true. The tree was at my house. Here is my version that I emailed to Jim, and wanted to share with you all…

“I can’t tell you how many times I have driven my kids by that house and that tree. They’ve heard all my stories: Trips to Utotem and then to our own indivdual branch to indulge. Throwing sweetgums balls at the cars below. Hitting the paper boy (Victor Widmer)on his cycle with sweetgums and him chasing us up the tree. No story is told more than the legend of Jimmy Chastain climbing to the very top. Yes, it’s true. I remember running over to Tena Butler’s house on Dartmouth so we could see you(Jim) towering above the rooftops waving at us a block away. Great times, great memories.”