Trust the Hazmat Suit

I left these two snoozing yesterday while I volunteered at the infusion clinic.  As I was delivering snacks and drinks, I noticed a new patient receiving chemo for the first time.  Her husband gave me the look that said, "Please come over here and help."  The nurse was explaining why she wears the "hazmat suit" (my words, not her's).  The patient, horrified, replied, "And you are putting that in my body?"  If you have had chemo, you remember feeling this way....I know I do.  I remember my doctor sitting next to me as I received my first dose and telling me that chemo is bad "stuff", but it works.

We all have times in our lives when we just have to trust....trust our family, trust our doctor, trust the medicine, trust our gut, and above all, trust God.  The sun will come out tomorrow.  Have faith.  Godspeed.

New Year's Resolution Number 2

One of my best college buddies' wife has stage IV cancer.  Jenn has taught me many things as she valiantly lives...one of which is that smiling  makes you feel better.  

She actually practices smiling.

Charles Darwin first proposed this idea in 1872 and now, according to a recent article in Scientific America,  we have data to prove it.  So my second new year's resolution has been to smile more.  And my very unscientific study conducted over the last month has shown that when I smile, almost 100 percent of people smile back at me...and that definitely makes me feel better.   I am also hoping that somehow my cheesy grin distract them from my scary hair.

The Girls' Recommendations

Friends, while we were in Florida, I asked my girls what book they would recommend right now.

S, our wonderful ER nurse, cautiously recommended this book, which has been on the best seller list for 47 weeks now.  It is a memoir about a neurosurgeon's battle with stage IV lung cancer.

C recommended this one....like mother like daughter.  We both love historical fiction.

B, my Great Book's Scholar, says this is the book to read.  I am going to need the Cliff Notes for this one.

If you are not in the mood to read....we all agreed that this movie deserves all the hype.  LOVED IT!

Safe Lodging

A dear friend's elderly father has been rapidly failing over the last few days.  When I was going through treatment, I would sometimes see him at the infusion clinic.  Always dressed in a suit and tie, he would smile and nod at me.  My friend shared with me that he, this man of faith, who has accomplished so much in his life, did not yet want to die.  This surprised me.  He, to borrow the words of St Paul, has fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.  Shouldn't he be ready to go to heaven? She explained that he still loves his earthly life, most especially his family, and does not want to leave. Friends,  I know we all must face death, but  I realized only then, that no matter my age, facing death will be difficult. Great faith and courage will be required, regardless of how long I have lived.  As I think of his peaceful nod, I pray Godspeed.

*****

O Lord, support us all day long,

Until the shadows lengthen,

And the evening comes,

And the busy world is hushed,

And the fever of life is over,

And our work is done.

Then in you mercy,

Grant us safe lodging,

And a holy rest,

And peace at last.

Amen.

-John Henry Newman

Florida Family Fun

I cannot tell you how much fun I had with my three girls in Naples.

We played a little tennis...

We relaxed poolside....

We tried to help B with her reading...

We laughed so hard we cried at the wonderful Woodhouse Day Spa.

We ate...a lot.  (Go to Michelbobs, get the chicken.)

But friends, more importantly, we swam with Pops...

...and we walked with Gram.  (T showed up for the last day!)

This trip was all about having fun with family.  When I was going through treatment, I would visualize times just like this, and Thank God I made it.  If you are going through treatment now, hang in there.  You will make it too. 

Here Comes the Sun

 Friends, did you know that the best way to avoid getting sick on a plane is to wipe everything down when you first sit down?  I do it every time I fly and ignore the eye rolls from all my loving family members.

B and I are headed to the airport today and are meeting up with C and S at my parent's place in Florida.   This was what I would visualize when I was going through treatment.  I am so grateful to God for all of my many blessings, especially my health and my family.  And I am going to enjoy every minute....even B's predictable eye roll.

House Report

Friends, the up North house is really coming along.

While the guys were hard at work,  I was busy with the architect finding every extra space for storage and built-ins....hoping we can cram as many people into this house as possible.

I really need these two.  

Here is my built-in bed idea.  I am putting eight of these in the house for all of my future grandchildren....

  Big T says, if we build it, they will come.

I hope he is right....

Love Your Melon

The sisters and my families had a lot of fun at our traditional holiday sleigh ride up North.  This year, B wore a really cool hat from "Love Your Melon".  She claims everyone at ND is wearing them.

Yesterday C sent me this text.  Friends, I had no idea...

Love Your Melon, Inc was created by two St Thomas students up in Minnesota to benefit children battling cancer.  First, they donated 45,000 hats for the little warriors.  

Then they started donating money....and so far have raised over a million bucks for pediatric oncology.  

Two college kids.....how awesome is that?  

Game On

Friends, we are back in KC with reliable internet, and I am happy to report that we had a perfectly delightful time up North for the holidays.

There were lots of fun times outside...

walking the beach, watching the sunset,

taking advantage of the free labor....

Northern Michigan is beautiful and fun outside in the winter...

...but we also had a lot of fun inside this hygee holiday season.  Here are some of our family's fav's this year:

If you have a big group, "Telestrations" is perfect.  You will bust a gut.

This one will also crack everyone up.

"Catan" is great for a smaller group.  I do not like games that involve reading long directions...but this one is worth the prep work.  Everyone got totally addicted.

My personal favorite because Sudoku is my Crack,

and it is pretty so you can leave it out.

B's ability to get everyone and anyone to help her finish this 1000 piecer was impressive.  It is fun to have a puzzle out....

 Well done, B!

Every New Year's Eve we have a Eucre tournament.  

Eucre is easy enough that you can goof around a bit while you are playing....unless you are super competitive and hate to lose, like some people I know....

I hope your holidays were warm and bright!!