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In retrospect, at this time last year – we didn’t know if we’d
experienced our last holidays together in 2017.
There was so much fear going into the new year. A “doom and gloom” pall cast over us as we
began the new year.
Somehow we managed to get through the year. The first half of the year there was much
uncertainty. Then, after three trips to
the ER in about 9 weeks (May – July), George was given a prescription that
helps process food in the stomach. And
we finished out 2017 with no more trips for the ER (for George, LOL).
Some favorite memories from 2017:
Just about anytime we spend with the twins – VBS Week, Christmas
week, in between times. George, aka
Poppy, loves to take them to see the “queen” (Dairy Queen) although lately only
one or the other prefers to go there at a time.
The girls say and do the funniest things that make us smile and
laugh.
Our walks around the block – sometimes having serious
conversations – and other times not saying much at all but just walking quietly
in the moment. Grateful that we can take
walks together, hand in hand.
Doing a double fundraiser over a few months time, raising nearly $20,000
for appendix cancer organizations. Having
the family come together to pull off the final event in August.
For me, getting back into crafting and enjoying it. I am sure that knowing I am in the house is
comfort to George. My sewing room is upstairs
right behind his chair – so I am able to peek down periodically to see if he’s
okay.
Our weekend in Monterey – one of only two weekends we went
anywhere together this year (the other was a weekend in Roseville). Glad to see other people and just get out of
the house for a short period of time.
An enjoyable Thanksgiving and Christmas meal made totally by
George. And time around the table as a
family for both holidays. Precious
moments with our kids and grandkids.
A lovely New Years Eve – spent with our best friends. Something we’ve done for over fifteen years I
think!
As we head into 2018, I do have some resolutions. Re-resolutions of sorts, but something I need
to take seriously as I’ve had a few health issues in 2017. I do need to eat better and get more
nutritional foods into me – so need to concentrate on that. I also need to get up and move more often so
need to find some activities that will keep me strong and healthy. Because if I’m not healthy, I won’t be of
much help to George when he needs it.
My sister and I now write emails to each other every day to sort
of “download” our days. We tell what we’ve
done during the day and what we’ve eaten.
Neither one of us is perfect, but by taking the time to tell each other
these things, it makes us more aware of the things we can do to improve
ourselves. And we can point out some of the
shortcomings and offer suggestions. One
of the things I’m learning to do is to not beat myself up on days I’ve eaten
nothing but carbs or not moved at all. I’m
going to have those days. And I’m going
to have days where for reasons beyond my control, I have to give up control. That’s my current normal.
I also hope to be able to do some mini-travel on my own. Around here mostly. But organizing a “girls weekend” with my
daughters and sisters-in-law a few hours away. Going to Roseville to see the
twins perform. Hoping also that I can do
a weekend getaway to Chicago in June to attend a wedding. Little things. All dependent on how George is doing.
I realize that things are pretty fluid where cancer is concerned,
and I am incredibly grateful that I don’t have to work so I can respond to situations. There was only 22 months between his first
two surgeries when things didn’t go so well.
We are approaching that same mark in the first half of this year. George can tell things are changing. In fact, the past few days he’s had some
issues. We don’t know what our options
will be if, in fact, the same issues arise as the last time. “Watch and Wait”.
Which is why we feel incredible blessed that we got another
Valentine’s Day – another anniversary – another Thanksgiving and
Christmas. Another New Year. Thanks to a wonderful medical team, we have
been given the gift of time! And we pray
that they continue to work miracles in 2018!
