Another Cancerversary

Hi all,

Today, six years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  At the time the prognosis was not great:  I had an 80% chance of dying before 5 years.  I prayed and prayed that I would be able to see Natalie enter Kindergarten.  Now she is in 2nd grade.

I am thinking this morning about all the blessings in my life, especially those that have come to me through the cancer.  Things like really, truly appreciating my family and each day we have together (and yes, some days this is harder than others as the kids go through their various phases),  learning to ask for and accept help, understanding that I am truly in charge of virtually nothing, and most of all understanding how to calm down about the little things and rest in trust of God.

My kids are old enough now to remember me (for good or bad!).  I have learned to say no to things that stress me out.  I have learned to accept my own weaknesses and how to apologize (and really mean it) when I know I have made a mistake.  I now understand that my house can be "lived in" and reasonably cluttered, yet I can still have guests.  I wasted a lot of time and opportunities over the years before I learned these things.

I still have a lot to learn, though, and many more memories to make with my kids, so  I am still praying and praying...but now it is that I will get to meet my grandchildren!  Please?  Yet, as Jay's Grandma used to say in her thick Italian accent, "Whatever Godawants".