“Staying Alive”
Hey my friends!! I am still alive!!!! I say this every time. I am not doing this well and I have no excuses. I have some plans and will have to see how that goes.
I am alive and actually feeling the best I have felt since that surgery a long time ago. I don’t understand all of this, but am very grateful. My recent Dr appointment was on the 13th. Michael, my son went with me. I had a great conversation and basically was told how well I am doing and they think I will be around for a while. There is a very small percentage of people with this cancer, (Glioblastoma) that live longer, from 2-10+ plus years. I would love to be in that group. Already stepping into 2 years and am very grateful!
Let me shift gears. There have been so many experiences over the last, almost 2 months that I have wanted to share. I am not going into the past stuff and this is a very recent experience.
Staying Alive, not The Bee Gees version. Hit me last week in an unexpected way.
A friend of mine from many, many years ago, just released her first book. Sherri Coale, was the women’s basketball coach at the University of Oklahoma for 25 years. The book, Rooted to Rise, was written by her and shared many stories about her life, not just as the basketball coach at OU.
Several stories were about the way she got her players involved in the lives of children with cancer. I would have always loved and respected those kind of stories. These days trying to navigate the cancer journey personally has given me a newer perspective. The chapter entitled “TROUBLE” went all over me for several reasons.
That chapter starts with Sherri and her daughter going to a local concert to hear Liz Longley. Liz sings songs that tap into the reality of life. The reality of life is about the joys, beauty, challenges and the troubles of doing life. I have known for many years that life is full of beauty and joy. Life is also full of challenges and grief. The songs that Liz sang that night hit Sherri and her daughter with emotions. I am a big fan of that type of music.
This chapter, Sherri also included a story of spending time with a young girl named Kenzie. She sat through many of the experiences of the cancer journey with her. At one point in this journey she introduced Kenzie to the song by Liz, “When You’ve Got Trouble.” This is a beautiful song that went all over me!!!
Sherrie then ended that chapter with a beautiful line about where that little girl Kenzie was in her journey with cancer. Sherrie’s words, “And as much as that little girl believed in Heaven, she fought desperately not to go—not yet anyway.” I know Kenzie is in Heaven now and I would guess before she was ready!
WOW! I understand that in a much different way today. I believe in Heaven, I really don’t worry about where I will go after my last breath. I am grateful for God’s love and grace. I am not ready to be gone!! I don’t believe we get to make that choice. I am also reminded my choice is, “Living Life!” I have been working on that, grateful for my life and each new day I have.
Remember, Remember, Remember……… “You Are LOVED And of GREAT VALUE.”
PEACE,