It's another Sunday on the calendar. I got up like usual, slid my slippers on and shuffled to the bathroom to start the day. Wandered downstairs to say good morning to my kids, who were playing video games. Cut a fruit platter. Turned on the oven. Sorted the mail. Popped in the cinnamon rolls. Sat down to sort through junk emails. December 12th will always be a day in my life with significance. I can feel it coming, even during this busy time of the year.
It has been exactly TWO years since they cut the last cancer out of my breast. It was cancer that they didn't know was there in initial tests (mammograms and MRIs) but found during the first surgery and reconstruction. So, it was the second and final surgery date. I did not find out I was cancer free for a few days until later, but I choose to celebrate this day as my cancer free day.
I never thought that two years later, we would have been through another tumultuous journey - this time a pandemic. During my cancer journey, I realized I needed to slow down and appreciate the small moments with my family - the moments of quiet and the moments of chaos - led me to a better mindset so we could cope with the moments of chaos and uncertainty of a constantly changing pandemic. I began to put my phone down and listen. I would breathe and take in every word my kids said to me, even if it was the fortieth minute of a Minecraft story. There were times of pain and fear. There were times of overwhelming joy. Today, I chose to remember the overwhelming joy. Today, I chose to pour myself a glass of wine, put the Christmas music on and bake cookies with my kids. It will be loud and messy. And I will enjoy every second. Because if this journey of fear and joy has taught me anything, it has been to slow down, to feel every single thing, and to celebrate.
Celebrate the little things.
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