Life Survivorship-14
It has been 13 years since I was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer. What have I been doing lately?
Well, all kinds of things.
I’m still saying “no” much faster than I used to. Do I want to join that committee? No. I do not. Do I want to attend that conference or that retreat? No. I’m sure it’s going to be amazing, but I’m “drowning” with all the things that I’m trying to accomplish before…before…what? I die? I guess.
Once a person has cancer, you are a bit more aware of how fragile life is.
I also say “yes” to things much faster. I say “yes” to hanging out with my friends. Housework ain’t going anywhere.
This past summer, I went to Leavenworth—a tourist town about 3 hours away from me—and spent two nights there with one of those close friends. I’ve talked about her before. She was supposed to be my sugar sponsor, but considering she eats way more sugar than me and encourages me to eat ice cream, I guess she’s out.
Where was I? Oh yes. Hanging out in Leavenworth with my friend.
We walked into a store in this quaint little place and I saw this hat. I immediately walked over to it. I loved that simple word on it with the little cross. Then, I spent 20-30 minutes hemming and hawing over that silly hat. Ken is always trying to get me to wear a hat when I’m gardening. Been telling me that for years. Thinks I’ll get skin cancer if I don’t. Yeah, but I’ll get too hot. Hmmm, it’s $35. You’ve spent so much money in Nashville lately—five songs at your last recording session, remember?—so you can’t afford this hat.
As you can see, I bought the hat. And I wore it every day out gardening in my flowerbeds, very conscious of this gift called life and how truly blessed I am.