Showing posts with label death. Show all posts
Showing posts with label death. Show all posts

Friday, February 10, 2012

Would you Want to Know Everything?

Would you want to know all of the details of your cancer prognosis ..... every little detail, no matter how devastating? According to this article, that might not be what you get from your doctor.

My gynecologist/surgeon was very forthcoming with every detail of my condition, both before and after my first surgery. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. By knowing all the details, I was able to educate myself and, hopefully, ask better questions the second and third time I went under the knife. 

Would I want to know if I had only months to live? You betcha. Because I would make the most of every last minute that I had remaining. Gory? I don't think so. It's the real deal. We're all going to go sometime. 

Tim McGraw says it best ...... Live Like you were Dying

Until next time .......
~B-Optimistic~

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Reflections ....


Last week, as we took a cruise with the top down to cool off from the day’s mugginess, I seemed to be more aware of my surroundings and very in-tuned to my feelings and emotions.

As we drove past each little “community of residences” within our Village, I couldn’t help but think about the changes that have occurred over the past ten years; the people who no longer live there ... or, in some cases, the people who are no longer living.

For some reason on this particular evening my psyche seemed to stop. All of the memories of these people came crashing in around me, awakening a feeling of sadness and mourning that perhaps I had left bottled up inside and not dealt with as I should. It wasn’t a tear-filled period of time, just a feeling of longing for time to turn back .....

I feel absolutely blessed; but there are times when I can’t help but wonder why I have survived when so many have passed on. It makes me think that there is something that I need to be doing; some reason that I am still here. But perhaps I am doing what is required of me at this time and it’s just not openly visible!

Enjoy your time today. Don’t waste time planning what you need to do tomorrow ... there may not be a tomorrow. If you have a desire to accomplish something in your life – no matter how large or small – make it happen. It is in you. Don’t become that empty house where no one lives.

Until next time ......
~ B-Optimistic ~

Monday, January 5, 2009

If Time Flies When You're Having Fun .....

My mother was a very smart lady. She always said that as I got older, the days would go by more quickly. How right she was!

It seems like only last week that I was digging out the Christmas decorations and decking the halls. And now the holidays are over and it is time to take everything down and pack it all away for another year.

Even more disturbing is that it seems like only a few years ago that every newscast focused on the disastrous effect that Y2K would have on the world as we knew it.

But here we are in 2009 and the first decade of this millennium is whizzing by at phenomenal speed. I wonder what wonderful advances will be made in cancer research in the next two years; conspiracy theorists say that a cure for cancer is out there but is being held back by the powers that be. It sounds like a plausible theory, but perhaps there are just too many variables and too many types of cancer to make finding a cure just that easy. At least that is what I hope is causing the delay!!

Before 2009 gets any further along, I thought I would list the things that I am thankful for instead of recording a list of resolutions. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not above making resolutions and I do have a few floating around in my mind, but this year it just seems more appropriate to reflect on the positives. So here goes.

I’m thankful for:
• my husband who, after 33 years of marriage, finally understands where I am at this point in time. There may be several facets of “me” that still remain a mystery to him, but he is definitely trying;
• my sons who have grown into very considerate and fabulous young men and even though they don’t give me as many hugs or tell me they love me as often as I’d like them to, I know they love me;
• my new “daughters” who seem to make my sons very happy and who are a pleasure to be around;
• my grandchildren, whose hugs and smiles can brighten even the darkest days;
• my health, without which I would probably not be composing a gratitude list;
• my doctors, surgeons, prayer groups, and well-wishers who have had a huge role in the stability of my physical and mental health;
• my family – especially my sister, Marg, and cousin, Carol - who have provided much needed support when things weren’t as they should be and who are there whenever I need them;
• my companion, Rocky, who has been my sidekick for over 16 years and who listens to every word I say, even when I’m talking to myself;
• my friends, both old and new, who keep me aligned with who I am and support me in what I want to be;
• my community, filled with people who share their love and show their support to any and all who are in need;
• my life in general – it is a good life;
• and last but not least, my higher being, without whom I would have had a much more difficult time dealing with the anxieties of the past 6 years.

The year 2008 was one of personal growth for me. I have matured a great deal over the past year and I am comfortable with the person I have become at this stage of my life. That being said, I have noticed that I am becoming more outspoken on topics that are important to me and more direct with people when they irritate me, but hopefully always in a positive manner.

Over the past year I have faced my demons head on and accepted the fact that at some point I will no longer be a part of this world. I have also discovered that I am totally at ease with death, but I just don’t want it to come knocking any time soon.

There is nothing I did in 2008 that I would want - or need - to undo if given the opportunity, but many things that I would want to do more of. Perhaps that will be at the top of my resolution list for 2009!!

Finally, my wish for 2009 is that time slows down so that we can all cram in so many treasured moments that we can not keep track of them all!!

Until next time ……..

~ B-Optimistic ~