Thankful For Christmas and a New Year!

Cameron's 1st taste of Great Grandma's dressing!

Great Grandpa reading to Cameron as mom Kristen watches.

Christmas was wonderful. The family got together at my mom and dad's and we had 22 people spread all over the place enjoying a late lunch and my mom's famous turkey and dressing. It was a time of laughter and memories and thankful hearts for so many reasons. I was thankful I was here to share in those moments once again this year. Though I'd had treatment and was pretty tired, I rested in between events and enjoyed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services at my church and all our family events from Friday evening through Christmas night. 

Niece Lauren Grace and Gary

The table BEFORE everyone ate.

Going through something like this certainly makes you grateful for things in a different way. That is a blessing. I'll admit I'd rather have had an email from God explaining about being more grateful than going through this, but either way appreciation for the goodness and kindness of people has been amplified. Some of that generosity showed up in the form of "gifts" of snacks for the Snack Ministry from my cousins Kathy and Kim and my best friend Jenny. Cannot wait to deliver them and watch the patients enjoy them and the volunteers have fun handing them out. It warms my heart every time I hear the volunteers say their cabinets are full because I know the reason is the generosity of others. Those snacks are little blessings going out to folks every day at the Cancer Center.

I was having a tough weekend right before Christmas and the prayers and support of people really made a huge difference for me. My cousins Kim, Kaiden and Jameson also came and decorated my front yard with two angels named Peace and Hope. It was a very nice surprise. It's just one more example of the goodness of people and how it comes through just when you need it. It is true the world has gone to an "its all about me" mentality in so many ways, but through this battle I have been humbled, awe struck and amazed at the sheer goodness and generosity of so many people. I always considered myself a pretty generous person who enjoys doing things for others more than for myself. However, being the recipient of such an overflow of love and support in ways beyond measure has humbled me more than I can express. Many a tear has been wiped from my eye and that of my family because of the things people have done and continue to do for me and for us. What a marvelous lesson for this New Year to look beyond ourselves to how we can minister to others. I have had so many role models for this since April I could never list them all. I do have a list in my journal to remind me. So start this New Year by doing something for someone else. It's something you will benefit from more than the recipient. Happy New Year!