We often celebrate first such as our first day at school, our first job, our first home, the birth of our first child, their first steps, but we forget to remember the lasts. I once read a book that reminded the reader to remember and take great notice of the lasts. If you knew that it was the last time that your child would hold your hand to steady themselves as they walk, then you probably would hold on at least one more minute just to feel their little dependence in your warm hand. If it would be the last time your child would gives you a hug on the schoolyard in front of their friends, you would probably hug them just a little tighter, a little longer. It is often these endearing moments that slip away and are never to return. So today instead of looking forward to the first I have relished in a couple of "lasts".
Today marks the last day of summer vacation. Tomorrow the girls will begin their next year of school. It was a day in which not much expected because the routine of school will take over tomorrow. The girls enjoyed breakfast in their PJs downstairs while watching the "Pink Panther" on RetroTV. (Have not seen that one since I was a little girl.) Once that was done, Meagan and Sarah played the game of Life - the new version. Meagan was the banker, a girl after my own heart. Sarah carefully listened to all the instructions she was given. I had to help Meagan every once in a while figure out the correct exchanges to make. It was a great way to bring in a little bit of mathematics with some fun! Learning just never ends.
Today marks the last day I am in my thirties. While I have been reminded several times today that tomorrow is my birthday I am relishing every last minute that I am still 39. Yes, tomorrow I will be the big 4-0! I must say that I will boost about my birthday tomorrow since I am happy to have made it this far. This last decade brought with it many happy occasions and the most biggest challenge of my life. Today I remember that last of the thirties and how I have been truly blessed!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Reflections from our summer trip
What a trip out East does for the soul is sometimes too much to put in words, but I will attempt in some capacity.
It was something to experience the girls' excitement about the little things along the way. Actually, while in Toronto it was the BIG things that caught their attention. They were mesmerized by the skyscrapers in the capital city, Toronto. Since we live in a small town with a population under 10000, the girls have not seen too many structures over two stories. For them, taking the elevator up to the first floor at the library is neat. They were in awe to see the apartments buildings - trying to count the number of floors in a building was a difficult task.
The next day we were on our way to crossover the border of Quebec/New Brunswick and begin the "Maritime" part of the trip. We saw two major bodies of water, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence. We viewed the adorable farmlands stretching out from the shore of the River. We longed to get closer to the lone mountains in the distant and wondered about the few establishments that were nestled in these rock structures. 
This lag of the trip brought a few unexpected stops. This next day was filled with a few "unplanned" surprises. We had seen the sign on the highway mentioning the covered bridge in Hartford as a point of interest. Since we were ready for a good stretch this seemed like a good place to see something outside the confines of the van. It was our first "Maritime" sightseeing venture. Little did we know that we would be crossing over on one of the longest covered wooden bridges.
We began our Eastern trip on the Friday after the last day of school in June. We had packed up the tent trailer with all our wares for the next three weeks. The van was equipped with a few items to make the trip more comfortable. When we first planned this trip, I was looking forward to this much needed time away for our family, but as the expected time of departure neared I was a little apprehensive about spending that much time in a trailer. However, once on the road, we settled in quite nicely.
It was something to experience the girls' excitement about the little things along the way. Actually, while in Toronto it was the BIG things that caught their attention. They were mesmerized by the skyscrapers in the capital city, Toronto. Since we live in a small town with a population under 10000, the girls have not seen too many structures over two stories. For them, taking the elevator up to the first floor at the library is neat. They were in awe to see the apartments buildings - trying to count the number of floors in a building was a difficult task. 
Our first stop was Darlington Provincial Park. It was the first of many sights in which we would witness the beauty that God created. It was a reminder that we just need to stop more often and sit and bask in the wonder and awe of our world. Nicole had captured this picture! How amazing it is to think that while one could see this sight, one would hear the continuous dull buzzing sound of the traffic flowing along the TransCanada Highway.
There is quite a variety of new experiences in store for us before we reached the next stop - Quebec City KOA. We had to cross over a number of bridges, navigate through the busy elevated highways of Montreal without the aid of a GPS, drive under the St Lawrence in the tunnel, try to make sense of the foreign signs with limited knowledge of the language, and feel the varying provincial road standards on the van suspension, all while taking in the changing scenery.
There is quite a variety of new experiences in store for us before we reached the next stop - Quebec City KOA. We had to cross over a number of bridges, navigate through the busy elevated highways of Montreal without the aid of a GPS, drive under the St Lawrence in the tunnel, try to make sense of the foreign signs with limited knowledge of the language, and feel the varying provincial road standards on the van suspension, all while taking in the changing scenery.
The next day we were on our way to crossover the border of Quebec/New Brunswick and begin the "Maritime" part of the trip. We saw two major bodies of water, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence. We viewed the adorable farmlands stretching out from the shore of the River. We longed to get closer to the lone mountains in the distant and wondered about the few establishments that were nestled in these rock structures. 
This lag of the trip brought a few unexpected stops. This next day was filled with a few "unplanned" surprises. We had seen the sign on the highway mentioning the covered bridge in Hartford as a point of interest. Since we were ready for a good stretch this seemed like a good place to see something outside the confines of the van. It was our first "Maritime" sightseeing venture. Little did we know that we would be crossing over on one of the longest covered wooden bridges. Our next little surprise was at our chosen camping stop - the Jellystone Park in Woodstock, NB. We could not set up quick enough to enjoy all the activities available a
t this place. How fun it is to 
race down the water slide with your daughters! Meagan could have spent the day and night panning for precious stones. She would have found a golden nugget had she been born when the Gold Rush happened! Sarah could not get enough of Yogi Bear and loved the singalong wagon ride. It was cute to see the big bear hug our little Sarah Bear! Nicole used a lot of concentration when she was lining up her putt on the mini golf course. With such determination she should have and maybe could have putted a hole-in-one if we did not need to stop because a rainstorm swept upon us.
While it took three nights to finally arrived in the Maritimes, we had already experienced a few delightful encounters. While it seems to have taken a long time to get finally get there, I was struck with this lesson. I have learned in a real way through the past year that sometimes it takes a LONG time to arrive at a certain destinations. Although the journey does not pass quick enough to bring one to the desired destination, there are a number of wonderful surprises that God blesses us with to enjoy along the way. This lesson held true for us as we traveled to the beautiful Maritimes too.
t this place. How fun it is to 
race down the water slide with your daughters! Meagan could have spent the day and night panning for precious stones. She would have found a golden nugget had she been born when the Gold Rush happened! Sarah could not get enough of Yogi Bear and loved the singalong wagon ride. It was cute to see the big bear hug our little Sarah Bear! Nicole used a lot of concentration when she was lining up her putt on the mini golf course. With such determination she should have and maybe could have putted a hole-in-one if we did not need to stop because a rainstorm swept upon us.
While it took three nights to finally arrived in the Maritimes, we had already experienced a few delightful encounters. While it seems to have taken a long time to get finally get there, I was struck with this lesson. I have learned in a real way through the past year that sometimes it takes a LONG time to arrive at a certain destinations. Although the journey does not pass quick enough to bring one to the desired destination, there are a number of wonderful surprises that God blesses us with to enjoy along the way. This lesson held true for us as we traveled to the beautiful Maritimes too.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Can Breathe Once Again!!
Tuesday marked the day that I once again had to visit the London Health Science Centre for my check-up. While I am not too surprised at how anxious I become for a few days leading up to the visit back to that place, I wish that it were not so. Even though I have been visiting that location for over a year, some of the same feelings and thoughts rear their ugly head with each step that I take toward that place for my scheduled appointments. This last visit was no exception!
My appointment was with my radiation doctor, Dr Vujovic. I have not see her since my last radiation treatment on Feb 25, 2009 when I walked out of the clinic with my heart hoping that I would never have to return for cancer treatments once again. I am glad to say that I have now passed my sixth month appointment without any signs of recurrence!
Dr Vujovic was patient with the numerous questions that I had. I knew the answers but in a silly way I was hoping that the responses would be different than I thought. I have been asked several times "Are you cancer-free?", "Are you cured?" or "Are you in remission?" Since my heart does a quick extra beat when I struggle with my own response when asked, I thought that I would seek the response of an expert. Here too, I was not surprised at her response although I wished that it would have been different. Dr Vujovic stated that she sort of cringes at those terms. Breast cancer is similar to other chronic diseases such as heart disease. (Take note of the adjective - chronic.) While there are a number of treatments that are administered to remove or easy the disease, there is no cure. There is no way of knowing if or when the cancer may come back. It may be one month, one year, ten years, or for some patients it may never reoccurs. So when I am asked I will be sticking with the response that I have used, much to the surprise of the questioner - for NOW I am not showing any signs of recurrence. It is at this moment that while the answers to the questions did not change, I was reminded that the One to whom I turn is just as constant. It is at this moment that I am directed to do only one thing - direct my attention to the One who has been there each step, each thought, each heart-changing moment and granted me more time without signs of recurrence. God has granted me more time to "LIVE with breast cancer." For this my heart can rest assured that I am held in His good hands.
On a different note, we had a good chuckle. Dr Vujovic asked if I did routine breast exams. I was honest with my response - "Almost every day!" I had a huge grin knowing as I admitted it out loud it sounded even more ridiculous. I have heard through the media that for most women, while they have good intentions, breast exams are not too routine. It is funny to be told that I should try to be LESS routine - monthly was sufficient.
Now I can breathe a little easier since I do not need to return til October, provided there is no recurrence. Maybe my next visit, I will be able to walk into and sit through a visit with less anxiety or some tear streaming from my eyes. But for now, I just look forward.....
My appointment was with my radiation doctor, Dr Vujovic. I have not see her since my last radiation treatment on Feb 25, 2009 when I walked out of the clinic with my heart hoping that I would never have to return for cancer treatments once again. I am glad to say that I have now passed my sixth month appointment without any signs of recurrence!
Dr Vujovic was patient with the numerous questions that I had. I knew the answers but in a silly way I was hoping that the responses would be different than I thought. I have been asked several times "Are you cancer-free?", "Are you cured?" or "Are you in remission?" Since my heart does a quick extra beat when I struggle with my own response when asked, I thought that I would seek the response of an expert. Here too, I was not surprised at her response although I wished that it would have been different. Dr Vujovic stated that she sort of cringes at those terms. Breast cancer is similar to other chronic diseases such as heart disease. (Take note of the adjective - chronic.) While there are a number of treatments that are administered to remove or easy the disease, there is no cure. There is no way of knowing if or when the cancer may come back. It may be one month, one year, ten years, or for some patients it may never reoccurs. So when I am asked I will be sticking with the response that I have used, much to the surprise of the questioner - for NOW I am not showing any signs of recurrence. It is at this moment that while the answers to the questions did not change, I was reminded that the One to whom I turn is just as constant. It is at this moment that I am directed to do only one thing - direct my attention to the One who has been there each step, each thought, each heart-changing moment and granted me more time without signs of recurrence. God has granted me more time to "LIVE with breast cancer." For this my heart can rest assured that I am held in His good hands.
On a different note, we had a good chuckle. Dr Vujovic asked if I did routine breast exams. I was honest with my response - "Almost every day!" I had a huge grin knowing as I admitted it out loud it sounded even more ridiculous. I have heard through the media that for most women, while they have good intentions, breast exams are not too routine. It is funny to be told that I should try to be LESS routine - monthly was sufficient.
Now I can breathe a little easier since I do not need to return til October, provided there is no recurrence. Maybe my next visit, I will be able to walk into and sit through a visit with less anxiety or some tear streaming from my eyes. But for now, I just look forward.....
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