Transition Time (& Glamping!)

After a month here, and helping so much, Han took off back to the Mill last week. Now I'm here on my own for a bit, tying up loose ends before joining him next week.

We were able to get so much done while he was here--and we took a weekend out to travel to Whidbey Island for our first "glamping" experience. It was pretty special.

Now it is truly countdown time. If all goes smoothly, I'll be departing here on the 16th to join Han (and Zack-who will be there on vacation) in Alkmaar. I'll be leaving the keys of Mom's house with the realtor (that she picked out!). I've had to be very mindful of what I'm going to ship to Holland and I've narrowed it down to about 200 cubic feet worth of stuff: things of mine (and Mom's!) that most spark joy. This has not been easy. As Mom's dear friend, Sue, said in a recent text: "you have a big job breaking camp". That is true--and a comforting way to look at it.

And, as I go through the things, and papers, and photos...the biggest thing that stands out is truly the love I have been gifted my entire life: from my mom, my dad, my grandparents, my great grandparents, friends, and extended family. I can feel it in the momentos, in the letters written (and the letters kept). I can see it in the photos, that trigger so many happy memories. And I can feel it surrounding me during this tender time. 

Nothing can take that away. And if I couldn't take a physical thing with me, I would always have that. 

I will always have that.

Thanks for the special card, J.T...and for your insight that was spot on:

Mom truly did "inhale life and exhale love".

❤️

Stepping Outside Our Bubble and an Arm Update

These last years, I have been BUSY...either traveling or looking forward to traveling. With this abrupt slow down, I realize how important it has been for my peace of mind to have fun trips planned. It's a tool that has always gotten me through the gray days. Since the big trip I'm dying to take is on hold, I've decided that I still need to make mini-trips a priority. Even in this age of Covid. Even when I'm undergoing treatment. Mental health is important, too! I'm also realizing how important it is to take advantage of these days when I'm feeling GOOD and my appetite returns to give myself permission to eat whatever strikes my fancy. There has to be perks to this chemo deal.

To that end, yesterday, Zack & I drove 45 minutes north and took the ferry to Whidbey Island  to have lunch at our favorite pizza place in the world: Village Pizzeria . It checked all of the boxes that needed checking: a safe trip, beauty at every turn, incredible weather, special time together, and delicious pizza!

It's so fascinating to see how much has changed during this crazy time....no traffic, most people in masks, orders to stay in the car on the ferry. It feels in some ways that we've stepped into a dystopian world. How can the world have changed so much, so quickly? I know it's a feeling we're all sharing.

At the same time, it was heartening to see the positive adaptations that have been made. We were able to get our pizza at the walk up window and take it down to a picnic table on the beach. Our only lunch companions were some baby bunnies snacking nearby. We wore our masks around town. Even the statues had masks. 

The mountains were still out, the eagles were still flying by, and the flowers were still blooming. And the pesto pizza was as good as we knew it would be. How reassuring.

It was such a restorative day.

 I recommend this day trip to all locals!

(And if you go, I want to hear all about it!)

As beautiful as it was, I am counting on this, in a myriad of ways.

~~~~~

Today I had a follow up appointment and X-rays with the orthopedic doctor who said my arm is healing faster than expected! It has been four weeks since that fateful day and he said the healing looks like they would expect it to at six weeks. I was so hoping he'd say this since I've felt like it was doing much better. I will wear the compression brace for another four weeks and will start physical therapy for it soon. It makes me feel in awe of how our bodies can heal after trauma...how my body has healed in these last four weeks with all it is going through.

Tomorrow is my 3rd infusion. I will meet with the oncologist and we will schedule the mid-way MRI to see how the chemotherapy is working. I am excited and terrified for this test result all at the same time. Most of all, I am hopeful. If there is such a thing as willing good news into reality, I am on top of it.

What is this flower?! I want to plant it EVERYWHERE!

So thankful to each of you...

for your love, support, and encouragement. 

❤️