thanksgiving

Thanksgiving took us to an Inn in Dorset, Vermont with the grandparents, after I ran a Turkey Trot 5K.

We played with puppets at the Inn.

And took a family photo (this is NOT so easy to get anymore).

Stopped by a Christmas tree farm to chop down our tree… This has been a longstanding tradition in my family to get our tree the day after Thanksgiving.

I have one grievance about the farm. All of the trees had been over pruned into perfect triangles. I was looking for a mangly Charlie Brown tree and the owners just laughed! I guess that's not the en vogue look for trees this year. Maybe next year.

Happy thanksgiving everyone!

new york part I

Jeff and I were determined to have a good time in New York—even if we were going for my doctor visit. So off we went….

he, he, he. Here’s my steadfast driver, although he wasn’t too happy with me because I was in a crabby mood on the way down… sorry, honey

We got into town with plenty of time for enjoyment including a leisurely lunch at The Spotted Pig where of all things, our wedding song was playing in the background (and it’s pretty esoteric).

I bought Corduroy's Christmas for Owen (half price!). Owen and I LOVE Corduroy—and I love the way he says it: “Cord-Roy.” I was thrilled to see that “a bear-share” of the royalties from the book benefits psychological support for children afflicted with cancer. Way to go Corduroy!

Then I went on a therapeutic shopping spree at Anthropology for two “brighten your mood” pairs of earrings...

So, I’ve been obsessing about this drum at FAO Swartz that I saw in their catalogue for only $14. So we stopped by their 5th Avenue store. Owen has really been into music lately, so I knew it would be perfect. It’s such a classic toy.

(Here you can see some of my “deferred maintenance,” Owen’s very shaggy hair…. ). Then the center of my support (Jeff) and I went on a walked uptown through Central Park and then across town to Sloan Kettering.

Onward!

I’ve know cancer for almost a year and half now, and it was harboring itself in my body years before that. I was diagnosed one month after my wedding, so I don’t know much about being a wife without cancer. My husband, Jeff and I were together for years before we were married, so I do know Jeff before cancer. Our son, Owen, was 10 months old when I was diagnosed, so I now know less of half of his life without cancer. That number will continue to shrink, the older he gets. And my wedding anniversary will always be very close to a remission anniversary.

I started thinking about this when I went to my doctor this week and had to scramble to find childcare for Owen. Jeff suggested that we just take him to the appointment. Owen has been on the sidelines while I recover from surgery, ingest radiation or just breakdown and cry—and for the latter he always comforts. I didn’t want to bring him to the front lines. I would be harder for me than for a 2-year-old who just wants to play on the scale at a doctor’s office.

It would be hard to see my 35 inch toe head bounding around during the appointment.

I am grateful for a friend who had Owen over for a play date with his best 2-year-old gal pal—doing things that 2-year-olds should do. Not accompanying his mother and father to talk about cancer. Childhood should to be protected if and when it can. Not sheltered completely, but protected.

when it's all too much

HAVE A DANCE PARTY IN YOUR LIVING ROOM

Kissing Monster

I’m a kissing monster. So that’s why this part is always hard for me. I’ve received my tracer dose of I-131 for my scans and I can’t kiss my boys for several days due to radioactive cross contamination (sounds lovely, I know).

How can you resist not kissing this


This…

Or this….


“Be Still and Know that I am God” Psalm 46:10