One Year Milestone!

I'm ordering flowers today for a friend in Chicago. She is having a party to celebrate one year of being free of breast cancer. A few of us cannot be there in person to celebrate with her, so our pink flowers will be there for us.

It seems as though just about everyone knows one or more cancer survivors, whether it is a friend, co-worker, or even themselves. I am truly grateful for the advocates, warriors and loud voices of men, women & children everywhere who remind us to get checked and follow up with the check-ups!

Her story is an amazing one, and I won't tell it here and now without her permission. What I will tell you is the incredible amount of strength and support she has received from family and friends near her home, as well as the plethora of friends she has here in St. Louis. Her faith played a very large part in her treatment and recovery. I can picture her praying with her doctors shortly before going under anesthesia, and then again shortly after coming out of it. The chemo treatments...the nurses, the drivers and the entourage who followed her everywhere... they were honored to be a part of her day and prayers. I can also see her sitting in a doctor's office getting bad news, praying with the doctor, and immediately feeling content and assured that no matter what the outcome, she will have the "Big Guy" walking through it with her...every step of the way.

Well, the "Big Guy" did walk through it with her and she is giving a party, not only for herself, but in gratitude for the heavenly intervention. She has been cancer free for one year, has her life back (along with, I think, a new set - I'm so jealous) and if I know her, she has already become involved in giving back to another who is traveling that same scary road.

Congratulations, girlfriend, and God Bless you!

Just Any Other Day

For many, today is just another day. But, if you have a birthday, annniversary or some other special event that is celebrated on September 11th, you will be affected...forever. Maybe this a good thing. There are some things that we should always remember so that history will not repeat itself. Sometimes having a personal event and an historical event that share the same date can be a very special thing. I share one of those events with today's date, and so I try to find something positive to see me through the day. Chocolate helps....a lot!

My 25th wedding anniversary was 9/11/01. We decided not to celebrate that year. A sort of eerie thing happened. The day before, my husband ordered flowers to be delivered to the house. They arrived on the afternoon of the 11th. They were beautiful greens and white Lilys. Of all the flowers in the book, he ordered Lilys. Maybe it was a God thing. When the arrangement finally passed on, I replaced it with plastic and dried flowers. Every year I add another flower and/or green. I now have this beautiful arrangement of Lilys, roses, mums, etc., any flower that comes in white. And, of course, lots of green, leafy stuff.

I remember planning a big party for my parents on their 25th wedding anniversary. My party can wait. If we make it to 40 years, then I will rent a cruise ship. Would you like to join us?

Thanks, and God Bless!