I think when anyone goes through a situation like mine, you can’t help but re-examine your life and really consider what’s important. What I’ve realized is that I always knew, but denied myself a lot. Joel and I changed our lifestyle after my last cancer by trying harder to avoid stress and spending more quality time as a family, like going to the park or taking family trips. We also downplayed the importance of money in our lives which greatly reduced the number of heated arguments Joel and I used to have. However, as the years passed since my 2005 cancer, I think I was starting to allow myself to get wrapped up in work again and I know I was stressing more at home because I felt like I couldn’t get anything done – cooking, laundry, childcare, cleaning… So now, I’m trying to look at my current cancer as a blessing. It’s reminding me of the life lesson I really should have completely learned in 2005 and showing me what I need to do make myself happy and improve my family’s quality of life.
So what have I discovered so far? Family and God are the most important things in the world. All things are possible through the Lord and I need to devote more time to prayer and praise. Then family ties directly to that. I want to spend more quality time with my husband and little boys. I want to do crafts with Jake, as I’ve rediscovered my past love for plastic canvas sewing which is a lot like cross-stitching but with yarn. I’ve been working on Christmas ornaments and the hobby forces me to work with my hands, which is incredibly important for me to manipulate. I absolutely love it! I forgot how much I used to enjoy crafting. Mom and I have gone to a few craft stores and I just want to buy everything and do this activity and that activity. And then, I think about how fun it would be to do lots of these crafts with Jacob, and I’m looking forward to seeing if he’s interested when I return home. Joel has always been good about taking time for himself so he doesn’t go nuts and I never really allow myself the same – and you know what? I need to. Everyone should have an outlet that’s just for fun, for them. Some love to garden, some love to cook, and I used to love crafts and reading. For now, I’m going with crafts. I still have concentration issues, and have found magazines easier to handle than novels; plus, realistically I can do crafts in noise and buzz, but not reading.
Overall, I guess what I’m saying is that for most of us, our priorities are skewed and we just need to be aware. I believe my eyes are open now, and I have a feeling that more revelations are to come.
Related posts:
- Remember to Appreciate Life
- The Final Post for 2009
- When the Rain Falls…
- St. Patty’s Day = Release Day (Love the Luck of the Irish)
- Jacob’s Updated Room
Tags: Jamie, Reflection
AMEN! WELL SAID! LOVE YA
Wow, you are such a blessing-xoxo
Right on Jamie, great wisdom!
I don’t know if you remember, but a few days after you were first diagnosed when it was just the two of us in the hospital room, you looked at me and said when this was all over you were going to be a supermom.
Like I promised that day, I’m going to hold you to that.
Love you.
Well said Jamie!!!
I’ll be supermom as long as it doesn’t cause me unwanted stress, but I definately want to spend more time with the kids. I can’t wait to see if Jacob will make a pinata with me for Easter.
No stress, I promise. I’m going to treat you like a queen!