It's been a crazy, crazy week. Monday and Tuesday involved hours and hours of travel, driving to Victoria, packing Kate and Moya's possessions onto David's truck, and traveling back to Ashcroft via Enderby and Kamloops.
With only one day home, Wednesday, we hauled Kate's stuff into the house, did laundry, and I squeezed in one visit with my friend while watching her daughter play soccer.
Thursday morning we were on the road again, heading to Smithers. Visiting Joy at her new job site south of Prince George was definitely the highlight for me! It is soooooooooo important for a mom to be able to visualize where her child is living and working. Then, another visit, this time at the home of David's cousin and husband in Prince George. Back in the truck, we eventually got to Smithers about 9:30 p.m. -- what a long day!!
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| Joy and I at "Rosenal Performance Horses" -- her new employer. |
It is frustrating for me when I don't have my usual amount of stamina. That SHOULDN'T have been an exhausting day, but I was spent -- totally spent!! Tossing and turning in a small, strange bed with too many lights shining in my eyes and unfamiliar noises from the hospital across the street, I became so disheartened that I just about gave up altogether on getting even one minute of sleep.
Somehow morning arrived, and planning visits began. I previously lived in Smithers for almost 20 years, so any return trip is a juggling act of fitting in all the visiting pieces just like a giant jigsaw puzzle. First, it was time to catch up with our hostess, Anne, a long-time friend, teaching colleague, and next-door neighbour. Anne should write a book entitled, "How to be the World's Most Welcoming, Gracious, Accommodating, Wait-on-you-hand-and-foot Hostess". She's amazing!! Next was an exhilarating walk/talk/visit with long-long-time friend, Judy. I did pretty good keeping up with her on the walk -- truth be known, she was probably at a "turtle pace" for her, but it was a "rabbit pace" for me. Then, more visiting over a cup of java at Tim Horton's.
Saturday was filled with more breakfasts, lunches, suppers, and coffees where I told my story, caught friends up with treatment, how I'm feeling, future treatments, etc. THE MOST DIFFICULT visits for me were the ones with a friend and a family member who have simply NOT been there for me. I was mentally prepared to "be honest with kindness", but, in both cases, I was NOT near as honest as I needed to be.
Maybe it's all just water under the bridge, and I should forget about it and learn a lesson from them. NEVER treat a friend or family member this way!!! [I realize I've written an entire post about this, so I won't go on and on complaining here!] However, if I'm not honest with them, how are they going to learn a lesson and do better for the next person, next time??? Maybe that's not my job?!?
Now, it's Sunday morning ... Anne is off to church and David has left to do more repairs and maintenance at our property. I actually said "NO!" to a visit with a friend this morning -- proud of me?? 80% because I'M SO PHYSICALLY EXHAUSTED I can hardly face the prospect of getting in the shower. 180% because the request came from the friend who has NOT been there for me. Just saying ...
I absolutely must share with you the beautiful gifts I received through the course of my day yesterday ...
Mary Kay is a huge sponsor of women battling cancer! They were one of the product providers for "Look Good, Feel Better", and many, many products in my box of goodies were donated by Mary Kay. I also know that their products are high quality as I've used their cleansers and make up on and off for years. This gorgeous necklace comes with the following insert, "Thank you for thinking with your heart. By purchasing this beautiful necklace, you're supporting the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation, a non-profit organization that assists women living the the appearance-related side effects of cancer and its treatments ..." This photo does NOT do it justice -- it's absolutely beautiful!! The blue tube is Mary Kay's "suncare", an after-sun replenishing gel that contains many botanical extracts. Christine thought it would be perfect for the harsh effects of radiation on my skin. I tried some on my shrivelly, dried up hands and it felt soothing and moisturizing. I will likely have to buy another tube by radiation time, because I plan on slathering it all over my extremely dry body after every shower. If you are interested in learning more about Mary Kay and don't already have a consultant, feel free to email Christine at cpali@telus.net. All products can be shipped direct, worldwide.
In my travels yesterday, I received this beautiful "survivor" charm which I will put on a silver necklace chain when I get home. I love what it says on the reverse side, "A person who continues to prosper in spite of opposition or setbacks." YES -- I AM that person -- I will prosper, even though cancer has tried to put a roadblock in my way!!!
If you love this unique charm, there are so many more to look at and choose from at christinemaksymec.jewelkade.ca/home. Enjoy!!
THANK YOU, my dear friends, for all the visits. I'm sure I'll recuperate once I'm home :) :)
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