Inspirations

The adventure of life is to learn.
The purpose of life is to grow.
The nature of life is to change.
The challenge of life is to overcome.
The essence of life is to care.
The opportunity of life is to serve.
The secret to life is to dare.
The spice of life is to befriend.
The beauty of life is to give.

My friend, Lisa has these beautiful inspirations by William Arthur Ward posted by her desk as a reminder to do, see and be more. When she shared them with me a couple of weeks ago, I immediately honed in on the challenge of life is to overcome. That's my focus right now. I need to beat this damn cancer to move on.

My LAST chemotherapy treatment is tomorrow. I'll get my blood drawn at 8:30, see Dr. P. at 9 and then start my chemo around 10:30. I'm scared, excited, nervous and relieved.

As of this morning, I'm mentally preparing for tomorrow and next week, which I know will be terrible. But once I'm through that, I can start, and continue, to feel better. Unfortunately, my worst day for side effects will be the first day of school.

It's tradition that Michael and I walk our kids to school, see the new teachers, give the kids a hug and kiss (if they let us) and wave them off to their first day of the new school year. I know I'll find the strength somewhere to keep up this ritual, but Michael may find me in bed the rest of the day.

Tomorrow, I plan to wear my Team Tina t-shirt and my cancer sucks socks to chemo as a badge of honour that my village has been behind me every step of the way and continues to support me during my last round of chemo. Thank you! You guys have captured the essence of life is to care and the beauty of life is to give.

Although I latched on the inspiration about overcoming challenges, if I really consider them, I notice many can apply to my journey with cancer. I know I've learned, grown and changed in many ways. I think mostly for the better. I've also connected with more friends (I'm a lucky woman).

I've captured the dare inspiration because I'm daring to fight and beat this horrible disease.

While I feel I haven't done my best on the care, serve and give inspirations, I know I'll have many opportunities in the future. I've made comments about how I'll never be able to repay the kindness and generosity people have shown me over the past five months and I've been encouraged to pay it forward. No on who gives expects to be repaid, they just want to help. For that I'm grateful. What I can do is know how important support is during a struggle and help someone else who faces difficult challenges in the future.

We all have opportunities in life to learn, reach out, love, befriend, change, grow, care, overcome, share and dare. These inspirations encourage us to be more. Don't get mired in the muck of every day and forget to reach for the stars. We all have the ability.

Tina