This week marked the arrival of my 50th birthday, a milestone that I have long been anticipating. For nearly 12 months I've thought about how I would want to commemorate it. And today, I found the answer. Funny how it's been in front of me all along.
So, today I am taking time out to say "thank you" to all of you.
Thank you for reading this blog... when I started writing I wasn't sure that anyone else would read it, but I knew it would be instrumental in maintaining the attitude I wanted to have during my treatment. Writing has always been my emotional outlet, but I didn't realize how life affirming it would be. Pulling up the stats on how many people stopped at the page, read the blog, even commented - it was like having brief but very meaningful visits with you. Thank you.
Thank you for your cards, emails, your words of encouragement...your prayers. I wasn't able to see many of you for nearly a year after my diagnosis, but you were present in my home. Today I look across the room at a basket of cards and notes I have kept. They are from you, my friends, my family. They kept me going, provided me encouragement and let me know I hadn't been forgotten. Thank you.
Thank you for taking time away from your life, your schedule, your plans, to help me and my family get through my year of treatment. You took on the commitments I could no longer fulfill, you took me to appointments I could no longer drive myself to, you did my yard work, made meals, cleaned my home. You cared for my Dad, you visited him and brought him cookies when I couldn't be there with him. You watched over my daughter, made her life your priority, gave her your love and your time. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.
If I have another 50 years on this planet, there will never be sufficient words or actions to convey how very blessed I feel to have you all in my life.
So, for today, I will just say "thank you".
