Greetings to friends and fans of Peter and Katie Kreitler! I am honored that Peter asked me to contribute to his compact with some "words of wisdom". I hope that his confidence proves be well placed. I recognize that Peter's own words speak volumes and are, of course, directly relevant to his journey. Anything I offer will be, by definition, indirectly relevant-----but I hope, nonetheless useful, interesting, and challenging.

A quick introduction-------I am Peter's good friend from shared hours at our health club, conversations at which led to my participation in an episode of Earthtalk Today, a luncheon and party or two or three, featuring long conversations about the environment, education, American politics, and life itself. I my time with Peter to be enriching, challenging, and inspiring. It didn't take long for me to join the Peter Kreitler fan club.

(By profession, I am a professor at the School of International Relations at the University of Southern California with adjunct professorial duties also at Pepperdine University in the Political Science Department. I retired from a long career in Washington DC in 2002 which featured stints in the policy worlds of the Pentagon, the State Department, and the Congress.)

The more important connecting point here is that I am involved in my own journey with cancer----through the roller coaster life of my beloved older brother, Barry (age 66)-----first stricken with colon cancer 2 years ago, now battling liver cancer which doctors believe migrated from his colon. Sharing that experience with my brother has been difficult in a host of ways, but helpful in some of the most important ones. Though not an expert, I am certainly more knowledgeable about the causes and treatments of cancer than I was before my brother broke the news two years ago. I have become familiar with the ups and downs of my emotions. I have grown to appreciate how important regular, accurate, and comprehensive communications are as the patient and family work together toward recovery. Those "lessons learned" have helped me to provide support to our brother, Peter, as he and Katie and their family have come to grips with this life threatening disease. I guess it goes without saying that the road is difficult and scary, but it can provide the opportunity for bonding and growth beyond what might have happened had skies only been blue and all went well with the world. In that sense, I believe we all owe Peter and Katie our deepest gratitude for giving us an opportunity to learn from, to struggle with, to appreciate for, and to love them. It may seem a bit ironic to make that observation, but I believe it's true, and I am grateful for the opportunity to become one of the "village" on their road to recovery.

Since I hope to provide regular input to "Peter's compact" during coming weeks, I'll spare you a long case study of my brother's case at the moment, but will provide commentary as the spirit moves me during coming weeks. In the meantime, I'm sure you join me in wishing Peter, Katie, and their family the best life has to offer in these coming weeks of recuperation in a place in which their soul resides. Can't think of better medicine than that, and the knowledge that the compact continues in their honor. Til next time, I send all of you in the "village" my warm greetings. I look forward to communicating with you. wg

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