Life Lessons

In emailing back and forth with another blogger, I found myself crystallizing some thoughts about my summer. I decided to lift some of those thoughts from my note to him, to share with you, but also, to record for myself. I want to be able to come back and remind myself, once again, when I think life is hard, of all that it really has to offer, and of my current feelings. So here goes...

I can see that my parents are approaching that fragile stage, where every day of health is a day won, and I can also see that my sister's health has reached the same stage, even though she is only 41. I recognize that this brief encounter with cancer is probably just a battle in the war that her ravaged body will continue to endure. As our children have grown and are moving on, as our parents age, as I begin to really, deeply, understand that life will not continue as I have always known it, I find myself ready to embrace the sweetness, and to fully recognize and reach for what currently is.


My sister is a heroine. Without going into details, I will say that her life is difficult and she faces daily battles that you and I would cringe to face. But...her attitude over the past few days has been amazing - she faced surgery, cancer and the unknown with courage. She handles the pain, the hospitalization and all that follows with grace. For those who have not already heard, the cancer had not spread, they were able to take it all and she very probably will not have to face chemo (which is very high risk for her).

We had a wonderful Labor Day weekend with both my brothers, both my sisters, their wives and husband, my parents and five out of nine grandchildren. We came together to celebrate my Mom's 75th, and with the underlying note of having a wonderful weekend together as a buttress against the unknown future. My parents literally glowed throughout the weekend, and it was in and of itself, very healing. Life is good, even when skirting the edge of illness.

I find myself with an urge to spin around wildly, arms out, dancing in joy. Even before we knew the results of the surgery, I found myself feeling connected, alive, loved and loving. I feel an energy all around me and I think it is from a summer of dancing on the edge with all that has happened - really from the WS100 experience, my sister's first hospitalization, my Dad's hospitalization, my own heart issues, right up through Friday night in the hospital with Sue. The potential for illness and loss has brought more than I expected in many ways - stress, yes, but also strength, joy and relationships. Life certainly is an adventure!