Resolutions…
This is the time of year when we take a deep breath and half-heartily make promises about losing weight, exercising more, throwing away the pants that haven’t fit since high school and getting organized.
In short, we make New Year resolutions.
January means a fresh start on a new year and I guess we make the resolutions because it’s like we have a clean slate to start over. If we keep these promises for even a quarter of the year, we’re doing pretty darn good.
I’m looking back on this year and trying to remember the things I’m most happy about so I can figure out a way to move forward…what did I do that helped get others over a hurdle in life? Some place where I’ve been; where they haven’t; that my knowledge has translated into decent advice. It always comes back to cancer world. It has too, because that’s where my experience comes in handy to those going through it now.
At Hopkins, I was involved in working on video projects that helped guide cancer survivors. These are patients who have prevailed and after tough treatment, are living free of cancer now. They have late effects of their harsh chemo’s and radiation therapies and these videos help to educate them about following-up on important medical care that is intended to length their lives.
I’ve been lucky enough to continue a close tie with this community. It’s one of the best parts of any year for me. We work together to give each other strength and direction every day. All of us who have been touched by cancer in any way, need a strong shoulder to lean on from time to time; it comes with the territory. We’ve done that for each other since this blog began back in the “MY Cancer” days. You may have thought that Leroy’s words spoke for you….but let me tell you, those messages back to him were powerful words too.
I gave Leroy a Hallmark card about five years ago that said, “You’re strong enough to rise above most any troubled time…Today may be a mountain, but you were born to climb. It’s inspiring to see a life defined by such courage– the courage you’ve shown to everyone who has witnessed how the worst that life had to offer, brought out the best in you.”
He resolved to do that. He kept that promise. That was one resolution he lived long enough to fulfill.
Good luck with your resolutions…Better yet…Have a Happy, Healthy, New Year.
January 1, 2013 @ 4:46 pm
To all the wonderful people her….I wish you a happy and peaceful New Year. I owe a lot to this little family and I guess if I had to choose one word for my New Years “wish” it would really be two…move forward. I must do that this year. Happy New Year everyone!
December 28, 2012 @ 1:15 pm
Laurie, Mo, Sasha, Kathie, Al, all of you, many who no longer come here….for reasons unknown or they are no longer with us, regardless, this road was built by many hands and the pathway keeps growing! It’s because of a brave man that fought a courageous battle and built an army that now also houses a garden of love…beautiful flowers that continue to grow as well! It’s the fine work of Laurie that sustains us all….
Happy New Year to each of us and may we all continue on healthy and happy…
Mo, In honor and memory of Stan, my word would have to be “thoughts”….
Love and hugs to each of you…fondly… Laurie
December 28, 2012 @ 7:01 am
Thank you Laurie for keeping this family together so that we could share our thoughts and draw upon each other’s strength. I wish for you all the good things life has to offer…………you are a true inspiration.
Wishing everyone here a very Happy and Healthy New Year…………..as always, still Lifting……
December 27, 2012 @ 8:54 pm
Leroy sure did keep that promise, Laurie. Bless him – and you – for how much you give of yourselves to help others. Like Mo, I choose a word for the year. My 2012 word is “Brave” which has fit my year quite well. I’m leaning toward “Believe” for 2013.
December 27, 2012 @ 6:29 pm
In the last few years, rather than making resolutions or stating intentions, I’ve tried to identify a single word that might hold throughout the year. The word can, as a friend writes, be “something to nourish me, challenge me, a word I can wrestle with and grow into. The word which chooses us has the potential to transform us.” I don’t have my word yet, though I’m leaning toward “enough”.