Snow days...

E and Little Miss are now officially out of school for a winter break, however they have had so many days off over the past couple of weeks because of all the snow.

 Winter started off a bit slow in the snow department, but the past few weeks have certainly made up for it now.  We've been dumped on...big time!

 It makes for some beautiful pictures.

 And fun memory making.

"One of the very best reasons for having children is to be reminded of the incomparable joys of a snow day."

Susan Orlean

93...

In the year 1922, ninety-three years ago, my memere was born.  She was born in Canada and was one of eleven children.   Her family came to the United States when she was young.  Her family was poor, they worked hard and they started a dairy.  She and my grandfather were married, continued to work hard and went on to have four children and those children had more children.  I am one of those children. 

Where we come from is amazing, but I think we often don't think twice about it when going about our daily lives.  I find myself frequently having those "It's a Wonderful Life" moments and I stop and think about how much impact one life can have, not only in this present moment, but in the years to follow as well.  My grandmother, all 93 years of her, has created a legacy to be passed on.  Her actions and the way she chose to live her life directly impacts the generations to follow.  She is a gift.

I've written about my grandmother before, how she is not the same person I grew up with.  When I see her she does not remember who I am and even when I tell her, she is still left confused and unsure.  However, I am someone familiar to her, and she, in her own way, is comforted being in the presence of those who love her. Making memories with my grandmother no longer exists, but the moments do.  If I can spend time with her and she has laughed, engaged in a short conversation, felt comforted, or made a joke then she has lived in those moments, regardless of whether or not she will remember them 5 minutes later.  

And so today, on her 93rd birthday, my wish for my grandmother is that she feels the love and comfort of her family and all of those who are so very grateful to have her as part of our lives.  Happy happy birthday Mem.  I love you bunches!

Life is a succession of moments, to live each one is to succeed.

Corita Kent

11...

Halfway to 22.  Whoa!

My boy is 11 today, and due to another snowstorm, he has the day off.  He is pretty darn excited about that!

Eleven years ago, on his great grandfather's birthday, the birth of this little boy made me a momma. 

My heart has continued to grow ever since.  

E wears his emotions on his sleeve.  He is my spirited child who knows how to push his momma's buttons.  He is also smart, sensitive, perceptive, funny and passionate. He is completely comfortable still kissing me in public and he still asks to cuddle.  He's awesome like that!  

Happy happy 11th birthday E.  May you always know how much you are loved and may you have endless blessings bestowed upon you.

I love you! 

Love Always, Momma xo

Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!

Dr. Seuss

And to E's first parents, thank you for choosing the life you chose for this little boy.  Thank you for choosing us to be his parents.  Thank you for giving us the priceless gift of this awesome little man.  I am eternally grateful!

Today makes three...

...three years of being free from the Big C, three years since the surgery that rid my body of the uninvited visitor, three years...and I'm still learning how to find the balance as a survivor of Cancer.  Each day I'm further away from my diagnosis and each day I continue to move past it, merely by putting one foot in front of the other, breathing and taking in all there is around me.

I'm looking forward to an even more distant relationship between myself and the Big C. But for today, however, Happy Anniversary to Me!

Every heart has a story...

Unfortunately, now that I'm a working girl again, I feel as though I barely have time to breathe, never mind blog.  And now it seems every time I do blog, my posts are kind of gloomy and heavy. I was actually debating whether or not to write this, but then decided that if you don't want to read, you can always just refrain from doing so.  Those of you who choose to stay, thank you for joining me during this "therapy session".  

Social media helps us to connect with so many, and sometimes I find it overwhelming, especially on an emotional level.  It's hard to get away from the reality that life is not always filled with lollipops and rainbows.  Sad stories go viral and my heart starts to feel heavy.  There were two stories this week, in particular, that made my heart physically ache.  One was the sad passing of a 37 year old wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, and co-worker.  To me and many others who have heard her name this week or seen a picture of her beautiful face for the first time, she was a complete stranger, a stranger with a story that we somehow feel so connected to. Over 3,500 hundred people have joined the Facebook page in support of turning her hometown pink in her honor and to support her family and friends.   Breast cancer was the culprit in cutting this inspirational woman's life short, but it seems her legacy and all she stood for will continue for years to come.  The pages of her story are still being written.

The other story was that of the 44 year old cardiac surgeon, husband and father of three, with a fourth due in two months.  He was shot and killed at his place of employment.  

Such tragedy.

When I hear stories like these, I feel like I'm getting smacked across the face..."Wake up and live!"

These stories are not mine, but I can't help but feel connected to them.  We are all in this life together, we all have stories, some with more chapters than others, and some with more heartache than many of us could ever imagine. Don't get stuck in past chapters and try not to overthink those chapters yet to be written.  Honor others who are experiencing tremendous heartache by "writing a good chapter", and start today!

“Your life is your story. Write well. Edit often.”

― Susan Statham

"So find the love inside yourself, because every heart has a story to tell." 

Fight on...

In our house we don't really watch sports.  It's not that we don't enjoy them, we are just not the TV sports watching type of folks.  But, back in July, I was "introduced" to Stuart Scott, and, I wrote this brief post.  

Sports fan or not, by this point, it's likely that you've heard the name Stuart Scott.

  Sadly, he passed away yesterday at the young age of 49.  But, after hearing his own words, I refuse to say he lost his battle to cancer because if anyone beat cancer, it was him.

"You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live. So live. Live! Fight like hell!"

Stuart was inspiring to say the least, not just in the words he spoke, but in the way he lived his life.  His refusal to let "cancer win" is admirable. 

"When you get too tired to fight, then lay down and rest, and let somebody else fight for you."
It is now our turn to continue his fight.
"You've only got three choices in life:  Give up, Give in, or Give it all you've got." -author unknown
In the name of Stuart Scott, fight on people, fight on.
And, if you haven't watched that 15 minute video of Stuart's speech from the ESPY awards, what are you waiting for?  

Exhaling....

It's now January 3rd and I can feel myself starting to exhale.  Phew...the holidays can be rough.  I think part of it comes from the fact that I don't acknowledge the potential difficulty until it has arrived in its full blown glory.   I'd love to rid myself of the feelings of uncertainty and angst that come along with the anniversary of the day that changed my life forever, but that's the nature of the beast with anxiety.  There isn't always an easy off switch. 

I'm a work in progress for sure, but with each experience, I gain more knowledge about myself and how I can grow and move on without getting stuck.  In the meantime, those close to me have to put up with my transformation and sometimes have to pull me out of the mud.  Their patience with me is often unwavering.

It's 2015, a new year, a chance to learn, grow, reflect, move on and start anew.  I'm doing my best to do just that. 

On the last day of this month, I will be 3 years cancer-free.  That, my friends, is one giant reason to breathe in deeply and exhale.

"Forget what hurt you, but never forget what it taught you."