Strength...

"Promise me you'll always remember- you're braver

than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and

smarter than you think." A. A. Milne

Today I start with a quote sent to me by a friend (thanks Jen! xo) I think it's significant to start with it because it would be beneficial for me to begin each day by reading it.

Before the Big C I used to look at others in awe at how they were able to face adversity with such grace, courage, determination and strength. I was quite certain I would never in a million years be able to do the same. In fact, when I first found out I had cancer, I said "I am not strong enough to deal with this." My family insisted I was and said I had to be...after all, there is not another option.

I'm not certain that I have mastered being able to deal with adversity by displaying all the characteristics listed above, but I am trying, and in some ways, I have even surprised myself. I get out of bed each morning (with less angst than the day before), make lunches for my kids, and bring them to school. I have begun to take each moment for what it is without looking beyond it and those morsels of time have indeed become a bit sweeter. There have even been moments during this past weekend when the BIG C wasn't at the forefront of my thinking; I am learning that it does not have to take over my life.

I guess I CAN do this, and I am...taking it one minute at a time, often with deep cleansing breaths, gratitude for the love that surrounds me, occasional tears, and my inner voice saying "I can do this, I am strong enough!"

So thanks to all of you who believe that I do have it in me, for telling me I do and for helping me to even believe it for myself.

Enjoy a couple morsels from this past weekend.