Reflect, be grateful, and give back

I guess a lot of people facing a serious life challenge spend time reflecting on their lives, fortunes, misfortunes, etc. I know I have. I've discovered that I have very few misfortunes, if you don't count the brain cancer. That's a real bummer. However, and I've written about this plenty of times, it's AMAZING how a calamity can lead a person to notice and appreciate the real fortunes in life. Since my last post I've been focused on work (I know, I can hear some of you telling me to slow down, but I get a lot of pleasure out of working) I'm continuing to adapt to my temporary Peli glasses and continuing to focus on self care in order to live every day as fully as possible. 

On July 29 I flew into Houston and will be here until August 15. Aidan's Nana went to Lubbock to help him get ready for school to start. I cannot believe I'm going to be the mom of a high schooler who is 5'10, smells like gym socks, and has my smart assed, sarcastic sense of humor. He's perfect!

When I arrived in Houston I had to get the downstairs air conditioner repaired because, you know, it's Houston in summer. At least one air conditioner has to go out every summer. Last summer it was the 3rd floor A/C unit and this year it's the bottom floor unit. While the guys were here working outside I was hanging out in the driveway in case they had questions or needed supervision. An older gentleman on a three wheeled covered bike rode up with a small freezer on the front where a basket would go. I'd never seen him before but the A/C guys started yelling to him in Spanish and the guy stopped to sell them some ice cream. An ice cream bike! Una bicicleta helado en mi barrio! Mucho diversidad! 

The first few days I was incredibly bored because I was alone and just catching up on things. But then my very good friend from UK visited with his fiance and we had a great weekend just hanging out, eating great Houston grub, meeting his friend, and visiting museums. I've also been able to spend some quality time with Cassie (Aidan's former nanny), have had multiple calls and emails with former students who are in transition and needed mentor ship, and had a fun lunch with a former colleague. I continue to be grateful and amazed at how wonderful my friends and family are. It dawned on me that if a person really wants to get an objective opinion about how you are seen by others or how fully lived your life is, all you need to do is look around and evaluate the people who want to be with you or connected to you. Look at them deeply. Are they people you admire, trust, and respect? Are they people who care about you, care about others, try to always do the right thing, and are successful in their efforts to be good stewards to society and Earth? If the answer is yes, if you are surrounded by the highest quality people and they love and respect you, then it's not just that you are in the company of good people (which you are). It also means that you ARE good people.

Looking on the coming week, I have plenty to do here on the house, Jason says he is coming to visit this weekend, and we will shop in Houston for school clothes for Aidan- and maybe a few things for me, of course. Lois is also coming to Houston this weekend and will join me for doctor appointments Monday and Tuesday. I will fly back to Lubbock Wednesday with chemo in hand unless they decide they want to keep me here for some reason (which happens from time to time). Since there is no scan this month and I have no weird symptoms, I don't see that being an issue.

On another topic, we did finally get the $32K back from MD Anderson for the proton therapy I received in March/April of this year. Once insurance started paying consistently, all that was left was paperwork and getting the money transferred back into our account. Another opportunity to be grateful. Speaking of gratitude, I continue to just marvel at the doors that open and opportunities that arise. Each day I try to stay open so that I can see and take advantage of those opportunities as they become apparent in my life. Also, each time something big happens in my life, I try to do something for someone else so that someone else can also benefit from what life has to offer. By putting something positive out into the world in return for these opportunities allotted to me, those with fewer opportunities may be able to thrive. As always, I challenge each of you to do the same to thank the universe (or Buddha or Jesus or Allah or Ganesh or Zeus or whatever you prefer) for the life you live, the resources you have (and I'm not talking about financial assets), and the opportunities to serve others in your community. If you are able to walk, stand, etc., if you are able to invite someone for a meal, if you are able to talk to someone going through a hard time, you have assets to offer to others.