PUTTING LIFE INTO PERSPECTIVE....

On my bucket list of things to do BEFORE I DIE was to fly a kite again.  Honestly I cannot remember the last time I was actually able to fly a kite and sustain it for any length of time.  When our children were small we helped them fly kites.  We had Simone, Lukas and Stella stay overnight last week so we purchased a few different kites and had a great time flying them.  I love the feeling of hanging on to the kite and having it freely fly in the air! It was a GREAT adventure! I love feeling FREE!

Last week I was lucky enough to watch Little Miss Charlotte Mellor while her mama had her hair done.  It was truly a joy to have all FOUR grandchildren there at the same time.  Of course Charlotte slept the whole time but it won't be too long until she will be able to play with the rest of us!  When Kelsi came to pick her up Simone asked if she could just feed her and leave her again so we could play with her!  It was a great teaching moment educating the three of them as to what new babies REALLY do.  I had them repeat the three steps to Kelsi.  Babies simply - Eat, Sleep and POOP!!! 

I had a phone call from a friend on Saturday May 5th.  She had heard of my diagnosis and told me of her daughter who is 33 and has been in the hospital THREE WEEKS!  Because she is so young the physicians had a hard time actually diagnosing what her problems were.  The diagnosis came back last Wednesday as Stage III colon cancer!  Heather is 33-years-old - has four small children and has been diagnosed with colon cancer.  Kerm and I immediately went to the hospital to visit.  While she was growing up I had been Heather's Young Women's leader at one point in time.  It was wonderful to see her again and to spend a little time with her - sharing stories of OUR MUTUAL disease.  It certainly puts life into perspective.  I am 58 years-old.  Heather is 33-years-old - the ages of my own children.  It just goes to show that CANCER is a disease that affects people of all ages.  Every person on this earth has struggles and problems.  Please pray for Heather.  I received a text from her this morning - still at the hospital with complications and she was headed back to surgery.  Time spent there is now OVER three weeks.  Bless her HEART! 

Kerm and I were invited to a wedding at the Timpanogos Temple last Tuesday.  Beautiful Chelsey married her handsome husband Philip!  I was Chelsey's visiting teacher a few years ago.  I was thankful to be invited and it was truly a spiritual experience for me that day.  George Durrant was the sealer and he gave some wonderful advice.  Everyone has PROBLEMS.  All people have different experiences in life that helps with the growth that happens while we are on this earth.  He advised everyone in that room to pray for STRENGTH.   STRENGTH to overcome the trials and tribulations that will certainly come upon us.  That again puts life into perspective.  It is too late for me to pray NOT to have cancer.  I already have it.  My prayer is for STRENGTH to overcome that disease and go through the surgeries that will help me be CANCER-FREE!  Thank you for inviting me that day Chelsey - It was a BEAUTIFUL day!

I have had a great few weeks.  It has been a time of healing from chemo and radiation and trying to regain my strength before surgery. I have been able to accomplish the things I wanted to get done before surgery.  I did FLY A KITE!  We have been on our bicycle built for two every day. I have my garden ready to plant today.  My yard is in shape - with the exception of the flowers I plant yearly.  I will wait until I get out of the hospital so I don't have to depend on others to water them for me.  Kerm and I spent a weekend in Las Vegas at the Wynn Hotel and were privileged to see Garth Brooks.  What a great EXPERIENCE!  If you have a chance to see him - do it.  It is a GREAT SHOW!  We did not shop - we did not even get to the pool.  I slept a lot and we watched movies in the room.  It was great to be away and get the rest I needed without having to worry about things to be done at home!  I was actually EXHAUSTED!

My surgery is scheduled for FRIDAY MAY 11th.  I will be HONEST.  I am SCARED - scared of the unknown.  I have no clue what to expect and that is my fear.  I have GREAT FAITH however, and I know I will be fine.  I finished all the ironing today - joking with Kerm that if I don't come back - at least I got his shirts ironed!  I LOVE ironing and I know that is crazy!  I would ask you ALL to please pray for me.  Pray for me this week and especially Friday morning.  The surgery will take at least EIGHT hours!  Please pray for Dr. Sklow and the people who will be working with him.  I WANT TO LIVE!  I have so much more to accomplish on this EARTH and I am praying to be given that chance!  I want to be CANCER-FREE and I want to be able to HELP OTHERS!  That is my desire - to spend my days exhausted in the service to others.

I love my FAMILY!  I love my FRIENDS.  I am SO THANKFUL  for the many BLESSINGS that I have experienced during this time.  The last few months have been a time of great strife in our lives!  I have asked just a couple of times WHY?  The answer is WHY NOT?  I know there is a lot of growth in STRIFE - but GOSH - ENOUGH ALREADY!  The BLESSINGS have far outweighed any STRIFE and we are so THANKFUL!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: 

To awaken each morning with a Smile Brightening my Face;

To approach My work with a Clean Mind,

To hold ever before me the Ultimate Purpose toward which I am Working;

To meet men and women with Laughter on my lips and Love in my Heart;

To be Gentle, Kind and Courteous through all the Hours;

To approach the Night with weariness that ever woos Sleep and the joy that comes from work well done,

THIS is How I Desire to Waste Wisely My Days.....

LOVE AND HUGS TO EVERYONE!  I AM BLESSED!