While we live a pretty independent life, we have a very large extended family. At times, this family of ours plays a prominent part of our lives.
It’s almost been one year since your diagnosis. So much has happened this past year. I could talk about all the procedures, doctor appointments, surgeries and treatments. I could talk about all of the devastation, pain and exhaustion. But I won’t. I’ll remember how you rose up, faced reality and stood in your power. I’ll remember how you stood tall and beat the odds...
An unexpected visit. 4 days of laughter and food. Cuddles and stories. Big hugs and Asian kisses. Today, we say goodbye. Waving as they drive away. The house is quiet. Somber. Holding back tears. Extra hugs with the kids. Time to clean up. Dishes are washed. Counters are cleaned. Towels are washed. Bathrooms are cleaned. Blankets are washed. Floors are cleaned. All is done. House is clean. Like...
The roosters crow. The hunting dogs bark. The sound of a car driving by on the 2 lane highway can be heard in the distance. A cool, crisp Arkansas morning breeze squeezes through the cracked window. The scent of earth dances in the air – soil, grass, the morning dew. Light shines through the sheer curtains and across the bed. My eyes open. There’s a smile on my face. I can hear the...
Today is Monday. It didn’t start out like a normal Monday. It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t horrible. It wasn’t miserable. Yeah, I felt tired, but I was still rested enough to not wake up feeling like death. I took a quick shower, releasing all negative energy as I cleansed my body. I got Kevin’s coffee and my tea going. Tiger Eye tea.. sweet hints of caramel in the...
You called me today. You vented about insurance companies with their heads up their asses. You expressed your concerns about your anemia and the consistent excess fluid under your arm where they removed 25 lymph nodes. You spoke about the pain, the swelling, the tightness. You revealed your worries about possible Lymphedema and possibly not starting radiation on time. I sat there. Helpless. I...
I stood there in the bathroom, staring at myself in the mirror. I had just finished my makeup and was straightening my hair. Then it hit me like an inescapable wave. Flashbacks. Quick flashes of memories from that September day. September 6, 2018. We had just parked at the office and my phone rang. I instantly knew it was something bad. I told the kids to go ahead and go in with Kevin, so that I...
