Friday, May 31, 2019

Run with perseverance



We don't get to choose our race, but we do get to choose how we will run it. As for me, I will run with perseverance!

Whatever race you've been given, cancer-laden or otherwise, won't you join me in running with perseverance?!

This picture is me and my oldest daughter just after I completed a 30Km trail race.  October 2012.  My oncologist suggested I visualize myself having the energy I used to, in order to regain my energy level.  This race is a go-to memory I use.



#hebrews12:1





Thursday, May 23, 2019

Having stage 4 cancer

I read this article that my friend who has cancer posted.  It resonated so much with me I had to repost it    Read it here .

My commentary, from personal experience, about the article:

My family was complete when I was diagnosed with terminal cancer, but I resonate with and love the way this author has been able to express all the other matters of being a stage 4 cancer mom of little kids. Though I don't allow most of these matters to be forefront in my mind, they are never completely erased.

 I remember thinking I shouldn't buy new clothes (even though I really needed some) because I might die real soon.  Also I waited until right after my MRI results to make an overdue dentist appointment, to make sure it was worthwhile. 

 And oh my yes pondering all the special moments ahead and wondering if I would be alive for them and grieving for not expecting those moments to come to fruition.

 And people saying about the craziness of mothering 3 little kids: it's just a stage, ride it out. Inside I was screaming in anger, frustration and exhaustion "this could well be the LAST stage I experience with my kids!!!!" And the strangers innocently saying "One day you'll look back on these memories so fondly"  I would smile and nod and hope against all odds that "one day" would indeed come.  And the wanting to make extra sweet memories for my kids to look back on (vacations are our family's favorite way to do that) when people around me would be suggesting, "just wait until they're a little bit older."

 And the worry about the "what do you do?" question.  The complexity of that question, the shame it has brought me many a time. 

I am fortunate enough to be in remission beating the odds, but it is so true--- no matter how well I am doing we can't "unknow" my diagnosis. Its the backdrop Ryan and i try to hide in camouflage colors.  We are able to press into life, but it pops up - like last week discussing purchasing a house: the "what if" scenarios and we are thrust into talking about "what if I die"...as if buying a house isn't stressful enough already.

Exhale.  I am grateful for all I have learned these past couple years and the personal growth that was mandated for me to keep pressing forward.  It is good to look back and remember; it reminds me that God is holding all the pieces delicately and skillfully in His powerful and mighty hands.

Thank you, to those of you who have taken the time to read the article and my personal comments here.  It is so good to share our stories, thank you for taking the time to listen to mine.


XOXO
Cheryl



Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Gratitude


I found this flower growing in the sidewalk absolutely striking.  Rayna and I happened upon it on our way to school ❤️. Thought this image fits this post quite well.



GRATITUDE is a humble powerhouse welcome into my life with open arms.

When life is crushing. When the good is still exhausting and the bad is so very close to unbearable. Unbearable in more than the flippant way we use the word. Unbearable in the oppressive, suffocating, dark, a feat to get of bed and press forward then hard to put one foot in front of the other kind of way. Unbearable.

In these moments I choose gratitude.  It's the only way for me to keep pressing forward. It's the only way for me to war against the crushing exhaustion.  It's the only way for me to believe that the world needs my touch and is better with it. 

As I choose gratitude calmness and beauty invade my life and my perspective shifts.  In these sort of moments i am beginning to find the healing sort of grace that empowers me to believe that not only can I get out of bed, not only can I keep putting one foot in front of the other, but that I can soar.  In moments of gratitude dreams that are wee saplings put down deep roots and begin growing and growing and growing.  In moments of gratitude I find inspiration, I find wisdom, I find hope, I find joy, and I find freedom from the crushing weight of life.





Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Happy Mothers Day




Today is Mothers Day and my heart is a bouquet of gratitude.  Here are glimpses of that bouquet.


(My mom and I at Chilliwack Lake last week)


I am grateful to be a mom.  I remember the Mothers Day after I had a miscarriage and was awaiting to become pregnant again, awaiting to become a mom.   We were out for lunch as an extended family and all the moms received a plant.  There I was with empty hands and empty arms. That Mothers Day had a sting.


My Children are beautiful.  I am a mom of three.  These are words I never hoped for before they came true.  Now I hold those words like treasures. Mom of three.  My children. My legacy.  Some of my very best teachers.  These children are mirrors.  These children are blessings.  These children are gifts.  Today I am grateful for my eldest daughters’ mothers day notes – written all by herself.  My daughter who reflects my own perfectionist struggles, but who shines with generosity, compassion and tremendous ability to be mindful of the beauty around her and to be able to create tremendous beauty in action and in art.  My son who is hardworking, usually smiling, easy to please, strong, determined and patient…and oh so handsome – a miniature of his father.  (Just don’t let him get hangry!)  My youngest daughter who is tender and feisty and all kinds of passionate.  She is something new to me, who is a delight to learn together with.


My own mother was just out for a visit.  I am so grateful to be her daughter and to have my mom.  5 years ago on Mothers Day we packed up our 2 year old daughter drove 13 hours straight to have Mothers Day with my acutely ill mom.  Gratitude pours in when I contemplate how thankful I am to still have my mom in my life.  Indeed she will live in and through me forever, but to have her hands scrubbing my deck so we can enjoy the outdoors together, to have her sit across from me at a lunch out as an early Mothers Day celebration --- these are sweet gifts.  I was asked at church to share why I love my mom.  Let me share here what I said.  I appreciate my mom for all she has taught me.  She has taught me simple mom-like things like when driving only back up as far as you have to, it’s safer to drive forwards.  She’s taught me how to make traditional and favorite foods like cottage cheese perogies, peppernuts, sugar cookies.  She’s taught me to love seniors and value their importance in our society and our families.  Most of all she’s taught me to trust God.  She has shown me firsthand how to proclaim “it will be okay” even in a critical health crisis.  Oh how that was such a valuable lesson for me to have learned and to draw upon when my own health crisis emerged!


I’m grateful to have a mother-in-law who treasures her grandchildren SO much, who would do anything to support us in raising them, who gives and gives and gives and then digs deeper and gives some more.  She is fun grandma.  She is grandma who feeds us weekly and sends us home with home-baked bread and cookies.  She helps us thrive as a family.


This is a BIG day (just asks my husband who has learned the importance to me of acknowledging the occasion).  It carries a weight (for some it carries a very painful weight).  Mothering is the most difficult endeavor.  For each of us the difficulty comes in different seasons and different measures and from different angles – but it is universal.   Many times motherhood drives us women close to the brink of craziness while other times these sometimes monsters sometimes delightful children, fill our hearts with a throbbing love, putting a joyous pulse in our veins….which makes us feel even crazier to love these little monsters so much that it makes our gut and souls want to burst.  This is motherhood.  The good the bad the ugly the brilliant! 


And to be appreciated, to be acknowledged in the midst of this turmoil -- it means so much.  So here I raise a toast, “to moms! to every woman on the journey of motherhood, whatever your journey looks like!” Clink. Clink. Cheers! 


Happy Mother’s Day  


XOXO

Cheryl



Thursday, May 2, 2019

Grow in grace



I've been learning alot about dandelions over the past few years. I've also been (slowly) learning about grace over the past few months. Isn't grace seeing weeds as a beautiful sunny bouquet? I think so. And yet all too often it's hard to see the beautiful bouquet. Below are my personal struggles from this past week.

While I feel like I am doing exactly what I want to be doing right now there is this STRONG pull to do what I feel I ought to be doing. The should. This coupled with a drive to impress, impress even my parents who and so very loving and supportive, drives me into a shame storm: not enough, it drives my perfectionism to prove myself, to prove my worthiness, "hustle for my worthiness" as Brene Brown would say. And let me tell you, this ends poorly (I'll spare you the details).

It is difficult to brave this wilderness pushing against social norms, pushing against my desire to make plans for the future when it is so clear in my spiritually healthy moments that what I need to focus on most is the present, --- reminding myself that I cannot control the future by planning for it, though this is a lesson I keep having to learn endless times.


Today I'm mindful and feel spiritually healthy after spending an evening (that honestly I REALLY didn't want to be at when I arrived-- too tired, too worn out, needing a break) giving thanks and praise to my Creator. Guess what? I got the break I needed. Gratitude and connecting with my spiritual side (alongside those on a similar spiritual journey) are so healing.

You see per the advice of my counselor I'm on a quest to discover grace. Apparently I need to learn how to be gracious with myself so I can get healthy. ( I think I'll have a chapter or 2 on that in the book I'm writing about my cancer journey.)

And last night these contemplations were pressed firmly on my heart:

If you seek me you will find me if you seek me with your whole heart.

Grow in grace

Find my unforced rhythm of grace.

Keep seeking me. You will find a freedom like no other.

My burden is light. Stop striving.start thriving.

Grace is living like I'm healed (when science says this is impossible).

-------

Grace is a beautiful perspective our society and myself have buried deep. Her excavation is not an easy job: it is hard work, it is painful, it is cutting, it is jarring and it requires much vulnerability. But I am confident that Grace's treasures are worth the toil.

Please join me on the best treasure hunt ever, I appreciate the company.


XOXO,
Cheryl




#jeremiah29:13
#2peter3:18
#matthew11:29