Mother’s Day: May 2011
Quote of the Day: “No one knows what is in him until he tries, and many would never try if they were not forced to.” Basil Maturin, Philosopher-writer.
I was so discouraged last night, because I could tell I was starting to get a cold again (it had started in my voice Saturday morning), which has been the typical course of my treatment. A few days after I get chemo, my resistance is so low and then comes the cold and it really hits me hard. It’s just one more reminder that I can’t function like I want to. I had a really rough night but then I woke up to all these wonderful Mother’s Day wishes from Alex, Mike, Sue B., Susie B., Jack and Rosemary Wixom, Sue O. Heidi and Elle. How did they know that I needed those words?
Except for Nate, all of my boys are out of state and country. Mike is working in San Antonio, Taylor will call today from Guatemala and Alex will skype from Copenhagen. Here’s the sweet, simple message Alex sent: “Hey Mom Happy Mother’s Day. You’re the best Mom a kid could wish for and a true inspiration and motivation on how to live life. Love you always.” It has been hard not having them all around. I can’t wait for the day that we are all together, again!
Susie Beaudoin had great advise that I so needed to hear: “I also know how STRONG your little body is from running 100’s of miles right beside you! Don’t fight the chemo … Let it do it’s job … and then stand back and watch your beautiful healthy body return!” I am going to follow her advise and let it heal me, as much as I just want it to be over!
Yesterday, Matt Clark told me that Mitch Albom, author of Tuesdays With Morrie, one of my favorite books was the commencement speaker at the University of Utah. I ran downstairs to DVR it and then Joe and I watched his speech last night. It was amazing. I listened to it again today and I’m so amazed at all he said to the graduates. He told them that their future selves would be coming back to them in 40 years, well worn and wrinkled and that all this taking in life won’t matter one bit. He said that “Giving makes us feel like living and taking never makes us feel alive.” He goes on to say that all that really matters are the people who’s lives we’ve touched- you’ll never be 100% gone because you will live in the hearts of others. We think we have endless sand in our hour glass but that drop of sand that’s important in the future is what’s important now. He said make sure that you invest in relationships so that you can live on in people’s hearts when you’re gone. We all have a distinctive voice- that through every act of kindness- one life will touch another- will touch another- will touch another- don’t lose sight of who you are. And then he summed it up like this, when you get to the end of your life makes sure that “You’ve helped others, you’ve stayed true to your ideals, you’ve lived with a whole heart and you’ve touched others.”
Skyline Students: CaryAnna, Joanie, McCall, Natalie
Running Friends at Race for the Cure
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