The last 4 years of his life, after suffering a debilitating stroke, Lee devoted much of his time to the telling of his story. He hoped fervently that his experiences in overcoming, or sometimes just living with, many of life's calamities, may inspire others to never give up.
Shortly before his passing, Lee wrote in his journal: "How can my resentment at mother, grandmother, Dad, the military, school system, mainstream religion, big government, big corporations, big powerful men and women be transformed into a healthy appreciation for other people's successes as well as my own? How can I use my biography as a teaching tool and an example of spiritual overcoming and transformation rather than just wallowing in self-pity, resentment, and hatred? Help me God, help me be Your servant for this whole project."