I’m celebrating today!
(in Hawaii)
Exactly two years ago I went under the knife (and who knows what other medical instruments) to have a golf-ball sized brain tumor removed from my frontal lobe. A day that will live in my memory (hopefully) for a long, long, long time.
Two things to note about the above statements:
1) I do have some short-term memory issues…so when I say anything about remembering things…that’s good!
2) I have a rare form of brain cancer…one that’s somewhat of an “orphan” cancer. Meaning there is not a great deal of focus with research on this particular type of brain tumor. Although the strides in research that are being made will, hopefully, lead to better treatment and a cure someday.
So, having said all this, I do indeed have many reasons to be hopeful and thankful today. So I think that I will build on my annual list that I began last year.
THINGS THAT MAKE ME SMILE (YEAR 2)
My family and friends who have supported me in every way possible with my Life Journey.
Working together in ministry with wonderful people at North Star Church in Liberty, Missouri. Especially addressing the needs of hunger in the world.
Keep in touch with people I love via e-mail, Facebook, Skype, phone and all those great lunch dates.
College graduation for Katie on the beach at Tybee Island. She certainly was outstanding in her class. “Class of One”! Commencement address by Adam Glick with a ice cooler podium.
News of a job offer for Katie (in her field of Family and Child Development) within the month after her graduation.
All three of my grown children graduated from college…debt-free…and gainfully employed in their areas of giftedness.
Adam taking the leap in buying a house and Mom (me) getting to drive out and help him get settled in and cooking strawberry shortcake and other goodies for him.
Talking Adam in from the ledge as he is about to hand over his life-savings in the form of a down-payment for above-mentioned house. Yes, there was some vomiting involved on his part outside the mortgage company at closing time. Sorry, Adam, I had to include this. It’s a great story… after the fact.
Adam promoted to Department Chair of Communications and Theatre at Community College of Denver.
Hearing that Jake finally proposed to my daughter, Bonnie.
Seeing the smile on Bonnie and Jake’s faces as they showed off the ring Christmas Eve.
Keeping the Big Secret. Knowing ahead of time about when Jake was going to propose. (I got the tip-off from Jake a few days before he came into Kansas City to pop the question.)
A standing ovation send-off and lots of hugs from my friends at North Star as I ended my tenure as Equipping Ministries Coordinator.
Thinking about the possibilities and opportunities to help other people in other ways with my gifts, talents, abilities and experiences (you know… all those classes in the School of Hard Knocks??... they only make me stronger!)
Selling our house…finally! One of many steps in down-sizing and simplifying our life.
Now being on the other side of the real estate market as a “Buyer”. (Better place to be these days.)
Craigslist. Getting rid of the clutter and socking away some profits to pay at least a month’s worth of health insurance for the two of us. Uh-oh…I may be diverging from the “Smile” list to the “Cry”/”Angry” List.
Hillcrest Ministries and hauling several carloads of “stuff” to them to sell in their thrift store where proceeds go to benefit homeless families getting their lives back on track.
Looking for wedding dresses with Bonnie and Katie before John and I go to warmer climate for the winter.
Taking a three-month hiatus with my husband, John in Hawaii and Thailand to sort through what comes next and which direction God wants to take us next.
Spending time with old friends at my High School Reunion this past June. Beautiful people and great memories!
Snorkeling any chance I get. Saw the most amazing fish, coral and sea snakes in the Andeman Sea this year. So much of God’s world I haven’t seen yet.
Heroes involved in Cancer Research or Cancer Survivor Support. From the scientists to the non-profits like www.thinkaboutyourlife.org to the volunteers involved in supporting survivors and those contributing financially to that research.
My “3 daughters”, Angie Rhoads, Bonnie and Katie Glick for participating in Head for the Cure 5K to raise money for Brain Cancer research.
ACS’s Relay for Life friends who walked in Liberty, Mo and Helene Waldeck, my niece, in Bonner Springs, Ks.
My I-Pod. Music…Music…Music! Tim Foot’s “GRACE” from the Restoration CD follows me into the MRI every six months and offers a calm through this stressful time.
And, still, Banana Cream Pie. (Still hoping this is the cure!)
Humor for the Tumor. Gotta keep laughing. I don’t believe in a Things that Make Me Cry lists.
And, of course, I would like to thank the Academy….uh… (Whoops…wrong speech!)
God Bless you all and Carpe Diem!
