Wednesday, December 19, 2012

                                              My Gift


I received my Christmas gift last Friday and couldn’t wait to tell you about it. I was so excited when I received it. It wasn’t expensive jewelry or the newest electronics or fancy clothes that I don’t really need. No, it wasn’t a trip to an exotic place or a gift certificate to an upscale restaurant. Give up (I’m running out of adjectives)?????? What I received was a day (a full day at that) where I felt like my old self.

Mark and I took the day off and planned a whole day and evening downtown (OK truth be told I did the planning but he went along with it), I was a little concerned considering I just had chemo two days before but was ready to attempt it. We arrived downtown at approximately 11:30AM and proceeded to go all day and evening (with a small break back at the hotel to rest and change for the evening) doing all the things we use to do. We must have walked a several miles that day and didn’t arrive back to the hotel until midnight. It was great to be able to visit all the places we use to go (4th Presbyterian Church, 95th Signature Room for lunch, Water Tower and all the shops in between) and the evening was spent at the Christkindlmarket, The Goodman Theater to see A Christmas Carol and dinner afterward at Petterino’s.

What I have learned from this experience is not to take anything for granted, even the simplest of tasks. What seems easy today may not be as achievable tomorrow. Experience as much as you can while you are able and savor those memories. A lot of us have the attitude of “it can wait until I retire”. Hopefully we all will have that opportunity and be healthy enough to enjoy it, but things change so quickly. Take the time to enjoy life a little bit at a time so your not looking back thinking – I wish I had…..

I truly received a great gift this year. Even though it wasn’t flashy or fancy or expensive it fit perfectly.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Put on those fancy Christmas shoes and Keep On Dancin’

Monday, December 10, 2012

                          It’s NOT Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

It’s hard to believe Christmas is right around the corner. I know it’s on the way because of the Christmas specials on TV, the bright Christmas lights on homes at night, the crowded malls and the Christmas music playing on every other radio station.

But it just doesn’t feel like Christmas. I think I lost the spirit somewhere over the past few years. What use to be my favorite time of the year with the music, the decorating, cookies, holiday parties, cookies, Christmas shopping and wrapping gifts (did I mention cookies?) is now a big blur like I’m standing still and everything is happening around me. What happened to that old feeling of excitement and anticipation?

As positive as I try to stay I must admit Christmas to me now is a time to stop and reflect. Is this my last Christmas or will there be more to celebrate? I guess there are no guarantees in life and anyone can ask the same question. However, for me it’s more a reality. There’s no Ghost of Christmas Future to take me by the hand, fly me through the sky and show me what the future is bringing. I have to admit it’s kind of lonely and scary at the same time wondering what the next year will bring.

With that said, I will put on a smile, participate in the usual Christmas activities, try to capture some of the past and try not to think about the future - at least not now.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Healthy and Prosperous New Year!

With visions of sugar plums dancing in you head remember to slow down and enjoy the holiday. It will be over before you know it.

Keep On Dancin’