The Gift of Life

While I’m in Florida visiting with my new granddaughter, I have really not focused on my blogs in order to be present with my daughter and son-in-law and their new little baby as much as possible. Pretty much my days have been spent surrounded by this little bundle of joy and when I return to Ohio, I will be more frequent with my blogging. Suffice it to say I am enjoying every single moment I have been gifted with this beautiful angel. 

I received a phone call from my oncologist the other day and she wanted to finally get back to me regarding my most recent scans which took place a few weeks ago. She did want to inform me that the radiologist reviewed my scans once again and they believe that the multiple fractures reported in my rib cage are actually old fractures from a previous incident… Of which I have no idea when it could have been… But they said they are healed fractures and not current active fractures! I take this as a praise and it also would explain why I’m able to do things like mountain bike without any rib pain! It does not mean there aren’t current lesions, but just the fractures don’t seem to be from anything related to cancer. She does want to keep up with scans every 3 to 4 months so I will be redoing my CT scan and MRI scan again in January to compare.

December 3

Every day, if we would just open our eyes, we would see them! Real, believable, undeniable, metaphysical miracles!

And while mine are currently surrounded by my granddaughter, it is only because my son-in-law and daughter have graciously shared her with me! They’ve allowed me to care for her and them which fills my mama & Granita cup to overflowing. 

Another miracle these past couple days is the joy of my family in general starting with our patriarch who turned 80 yesterday!  I’m very thankful for him and for his influence he has on our family. I think the video of him dancing at my daughter’s wedding last year is one of the best videos of him ever! Happy birthday again Papa Charlie!

THE Best Day Arrived

No miracles I’ve seen or experienced this year compares to the miracle of meeting my first grandchild today! She’s perfect in every way! My heart is full and I’m smitten! What is it about newborns that touches deeply into our souls that moved this grandmother to happy tears and a profound sense of indescribable joy?! Is it her tiniest of fingers wrapped around my pinky, or her sweet scent like warm tapioca pudding, or the cooing soft sounds she makes? Is it the knowing that she’s been a part of me through my own daughter from the beginning of time? Yes! It’s all that and so much more. 

To respect her mom and dad’s wishes, I won’t be sharing many details about this miracle that has forever changed my life, but suffice it to say that she’s healthy and I’m over the moon to meet her and get to spend some time with her. 

Besides this wonderful event, I did have my infusion yesterday in Columbus, OH and my vivacious and generous friend, Lynn, joined me for a long day, then we laughed our way through North Market having her get to experience Pho for the first time and sampled all, and I mean ALL of Jeni’s Ice Cream flavors only to be surprised at Garrett, the young man working there who gave us our bowl of ice cream for FREE! So many miracles! We laughed and sampled our way through the vinegar and olive oil vendor, too, where rosemary olive oil and peach white balsamic vinegar won the taste test prize!

The infusion was super easy to do from start to finish. I’m so very thankful that getting my port accessed is super simple, having my doctor visit was uneventful and the actual infusion itself felt like absolutely nothing! It’s hard to believe just how easy these treatments are to get. It’s 100% different than the previous meds I’ve been given!

Garrett at Jeni’s Ice Cream. Loved Pistachio macaroon and cranberry crunch flavors best!!

Oh and they serve them on these adorable little silver spoons, which Lynn is currently the proud owner of 4! 

Somebody was happy happy happy to get lots of yummy oils and vinegars!

Tonight I got to relax in a tub with scented Epsom salts and candle light! Today was especially full of so many rich treasures from a safe flight to Florida to meeting my grand daughter and spending some Sweet & Wonderful time praying over our loved ones to feeling the sunny warmth on my face! It was 72° and slightly breezy when I arrived. 

I want to share yet another beautiful song that I heard yesterday. For me there have been 2 songs that have been so spot on in this whole journey, like anthems over me… Gratitude and Million Little Miracles! But this one Gonna Be Alright by Ryan Ellis is one that reminds me of the tender love my Father has for me and a song that I pray over my own children and now my granddaughter that they’ll know in God that it’s true!

O-H-I-O

After almost 3 weeks, I’ve finally made my way back to Ohio to 50 degrees and cloudy skies. No comparison to yesterday morning in Jackson where it was 10 degrees and snowed up to 15”!!! In fact on my way to let my friend’s dog out the snow was so high and hadn’t been shoveled that I had to walk to their house from the highway!

I did a little last minute shopping yesterday in town before packing it up and found myself thoroughly enjoying chatting with some of the local workers starting with Grace at Persephone who made me a yummy green matcha drink and had my last meal there until next time I’m in Jackson. 

Next I got to visit with this delightful gal, Kati at one of the shops I frequented. I love it how God just puts people in our paths that we know isn’t accidental! She’s one of those special people!

Now I’m in Ohio after a long day of traveling and had dinner with some dear friends! 

Typical Jackson Day

My days are becoming predictable and routine here in snowy Wyoming. In the mornings I drive to my friend’s and take care of her dog with 2 walks. In between walks I spend at least an hour reading, talking to friends and family and today I started a reading plan for Advent. It’s something I’ve never done before but I’m interested in it this year. 

Day 1

Then I typically stop at Persephone Café and enjoy a pastry or meal and tea. This is one of my favorites: White Wolf Tea and Winter Gem Salad. 

This afternoon I got to hike again at Taggart Lake. Hiking is one of my favorite things to do here. 

Then out to dinner we go! Tonight was the Cowboy Bar Steakhouse. Best green beans I’ve ever eaten! The chef even came out and explained how he made my favorite food I’ve had here. Slightly blanched French green beans topped with brown butter, fresh garlic, sliced almonds, white wine and lemon zest!!

The Christmas lights were lit this past weekend. Iconic Jackson winter photo!

My time is coming to a close here. Too tired to write more. Good night. 

Thanksgiving

The past few days have been more restful and less physically active for me... however, no less beautiful.

Thanksgiving Day was very different this year since I’m only with John in Wyoming, but I’m not with my children, parents, siblings or any other family members for the first time on Thanksgiving in many decades. It makes the holiday not really feel like a holiday. Since John and I go out to dinner every night at a local restaurant while here, it was kinda like just another night out except with more traditional Thanksgiving foods. 

We started our day with a really long drive up toward Yellowstone but the southern entrance is closed so we drove a highway that gave us another view of the Tetons. 

 

This is by what’s called The Oxbow. 

This is a pasture of horses with the backdrop of the Mountain range. The ranches out here are unbelievable. It’s funny because there are real cowboys out here who work hard and are dressed in typical cowboy attire that’s dusty and worn and then there are people out here who dress like cowboys but I’m sure have never worked a day in their lives but spend thousands on fancy cowboy attire! It’s a peculiar place out here where there’s so much wealth. 

This is my own contribution to the Tetons. In case my readers are unaware, Grand Tetons means large boobies!! 

This is Jenny Lake that’s partially frozen where time stood still for a while as I breathed in deeply the crisp air and thanked God for another day of life where I can experience His amazing creation!

John and I ended our evening at The Bistro restaurant. They provide paper table cloths covering the fancy cloth and a small basket of crayons. Notice the 3rd grade rendition of my artwork I drew. A colorful hand Turkey!

Then Black Friday came with much frost and frozen fog. I think this is one of my favorite things to see out here. There’s a special name for this kind of frozen crystal vapor. It’s called hoarfrost. 

These white dots in the photo are actually large Trumpeter Swans. They live close to where I’m staying and I love to drive to their partially frozen pond and listen to them honk. 

Ended last night at a Jackson Moose hockey game again. 

Physically I’m still feeling amazing! I thank God for this gift. There are a few minor physical things I’m aware of and dealing with, but aren’t we all?!

 

I Give Thanks

God says to be thankful in ALL things! So…Father today here’s my prayer. 

I’m especially thankful for You in my life!

I’m thankful for my faithful and loyal husband, John Wonderly. 

I’m thankful for my beautiful and loving children, Sarah, Jonathan, Alex & Jumi.

I’m thankful for a precious new granddaughter. 

I’m thankful for my loving parents. 

I’m thankful for my sisters who are my dearest friends. 

I’m thankful for a close and loving family. 

I’m thankful for a wealth of numerous amazingly authentic friends!

I’m thankful for the gift of life, which I do not take for granted!

I’m thankful for the knowledge of my eternal future when my spirit no longer resides in this physical body.

I’m thankful for breath-taking nature! 

I’m thankful for Jesus dying for my sins and giving me the gift of salvation. 

And, yes, I’m even thankful for cancer because of all the beauty and miracles that have been experienced in my life because of it!

Amen!

I had to start my day with Gratitude today! 

Although it will be a non traditional Thanksgiving for me as I’m still in Wyoming, it will be beautiful to be with my best friend and live life together today!