Those 70ish Girls

There are still a few readers who haven’t heard my good news. The pathology report from last week’s surgery came back clear of cancer. I’m very grateful the poison is gone from my body. I’m grateful for a lot of things.

While I waited to hear the good news, I stayed close to home. I have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow. Hopefully, I will have healed sufficiently and can start getting back to normal. (Whatever that is.)

As I look back on the last nine months, a few things occur to me. The three things most obvious are these…

1) I was never really afraid. I attribute that to my faith. I have some pretty wonderful friends who reminded me each day with a card, visit, or phone call, that I am not the one in control and no matter what the next challenge might be, I can accept the circumstances and know that I do not have to walk through anything alone.

2) I learned that patience really is a virtue and the lack of it is a character defect of mine. I’m not good at waiting. Wait for test results. Wait for the phone calls. Wait for the next surgery. Wait to heal. Wait to make plans.

3) I learned to appreciate all the giving, caring, and thoughtful people in my life. There have been many, but my husband, Kip, has helped me every step of the way. Sometimes, I forget how much this has disrupted his life. Plus, he’s had to be there while I learn patience.

I could go on forever talking about the things I have learned about myself and others, but I won’t do that now. Besides…I’m still learning. I know I want to step it up in some areas of my life.

I hope that I can be there when someone needs me. I hope I can be as unselfish and thoughtful as I’ve seen others be. Not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because I know how important, helpful, and reassuring it is to the one in need.

These pics don’t begin to include everyone who was there for me and other reminders of thoughtfulness.

Mostly, I hope I never forget how it made me feel to know others were praying for us. I was given a beautiful prayer blanket before my first surgery. I remember seeing people gathered around it to say a prayer as they tied a knot. I covered myself in those warm feelings before and after all three surgeries. I had something both tangible and spiritual with me and did it ever feel good.

Thanks to all of you, my family and friends. You were all given to me by the One my human mind can’t fully comprehend. I see Him in your faces and as my favorite song goes, All is well with my soul.

Jubilation 5

If you have facebook, this link will take you to a beautiful gift I received from some very talented friends.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10156296909620186&id=593740185

(By the way…Kip and I are still accepting gifts of food. You can’t just cut us off like that. It’s very un- Methodist of you.)