I am sitting here on the lanai, looking at the ocean (well, at least where the ocean would be if the vog wasn't so bad today) and drinking coffee at noon on a Saturday because I've become the person that is cold in Hawaii in October if there's a breeze. I know, it's a tough life.
And part of me wonders how exactly I got here. Not just HERE: happy in Hawaii, my kids grown and flown and making their mark on the world, the most adorable grandson EVER. But also, how am I here on the 9th anniversary of my cancer diagnosis?
Nine years. Wow. What a journey it has been. You can scroll down and read my past Cancer-versary posts to see updates over the years... please read the last two for sure if you have the time.
Sometimes I wonder why I keep writing these posts... why I even keep this blog "live." And then, last week at work, a co-worker came up to me and said, "I found your blog." And except for our mutual adoration of all things Hamilton, I did not know that her and I had been through the same journey. And in the past year or so, 4 friends have been diagnosed with cancer. And it makes me angry that any of you have to go through this. But, I am so glad that I am here for you. That you call me. And so, I keep writing.
Today is about realizing that I wouldn't change anything about how I got here. There's a lot of unknowns in my life as I sit here today... when am I finally going to take that sabbatical and write the book? Will I ever not feel broken? What advice could I possible add to the list this year?
But I do know this: life is too short my friends. It really is.
Don't wait for "some day." You should be LIVING life...to the fullest...EVERY DAY. Always. Most days you can find me enjoying the view from my lanai, or my ass parked on a beach for sunset. Because it makes me happy.
Without further ado, thank you for indulging a girl her annual TED Talk:
Advice from 2013:
Be happy.
Say I love you.
Be thankful.
Don't take anything, or ANYONE, for granted.
Do what you love.
Don't wait for "someday."
Oh, and eat dessert first.
Edited in 2015 to add:
Go because you can. TAKE THE DAMN TRIPS
Because why not?! (Make this your mantra!)
WEAR SUNSCREEN!
Edited in 2019 to add:
Get all the tattoos.
Watch ALL the sunsets.
Edited in 2020 to add:
Re-connect with your people. Take the time, have the conversations, enjoy the laughter.
See the shows, watch the concerts, go to the games.
Don't accept BULLSHIT.
And it bears repeating: FIND THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE YOU LAUGH. And who love you unconditionally.
Edited in 2021 to add...
As you know, Pink songs have helped me through a LOT over the years. But this one? Damn, I don't think a song has ever spoken to me so much. And so maybe that's the advice I'll add this year:
"Stay unfiltered and loud.
Be proud of that skin full of scars." I wouldn't trade mine for the world.
And so, my friends, please take a moment and raise a glass, eat the cupcake, read the book, and chase the sunset. Do it for me, but do it for YOURSELF. I'll leave you with this quote, which finally became a tattoo this past year:
"Don't be afraid of death; be afraid of an unlived life. You don't have to life forever, you just have to live." --Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting