Thank you for all your prayers and good wishes. I had my PET CT on Monday, and I will wait until next Tuesday for the results.
Right now, though, it is time for a celebration.
My 50th birthday is this Sunday, May 27, and that is as good a reason as any to celebrate. I would love to celebrate with you.
Since we can't all be in the same place, I have an idea for celebrating together.
You can join the party by doing one or both of these:
- When you wake up, consciously notice and express gratitude for something in your life. It can feel complicated or simple. It can feel small or big. You just need to notice and be grateful. If you can say it out loud, all the better!
- Do something kind for someone (you or someone else), with joy in your heart.
The party will start on May 27 and continue for 50 days (July 16 by my calculations). This means, do one or both of these things every day.
Of course, you can leave, and rejoin, at any time.
It might be fun if you want to post the things you are grateful for here, though I have no idea how complicated it is to do so.
Or just email to me and I will post them anonymously. Sending one-word, like, sunshine or dessert, is totally cool and perfect and may inspire others.
BUT WAIT - there is more! If you are the kind of person who likes to bring a party gift, I've thought about what that could be.
Every single day, I feel so lucky to reach the age that I am. Countless people would give anything to celebrate this milestone birthday, especially children who are diagnosed with cancer. I also think it is really important to help support each other when and where we can. You have taught me that - I couldn't have come this far without your support.
Combining these two sentiments, please consider a gift to the Back To School program at Dana Farber.
This program hit home for me because I know how hard it is for me, as an adult, to re-enter normal life after even brief treatments. I know how my children experience stress when they return to school after I had treatments, and the disconnect they experience between their reality and the reality of their friends.
There is certainly an adjustment period when a child re-enter normal life after being treated for cancer. Teachers, children and other families are not equipped to provide this kind of support to the child or family. But the Back To School program helps with this. You can read more about the program here.
So, if you would normally bring a gift to a party, consider directing your gift this way and send a check, made out to DFCI (or Dana-Farber Cancer Institute) to
Colleen Gleason-Epple
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor
Brookline, MA 02445-7226
The memo should say Back to School Program.
Of course, there is never any obligation for a gift. I just hope you have fun with it.
So, that is it! I look forward to your joining the party.
Much love to you, and joy always.
Marie
61 comments:
Today I am grateful for friends God puts in our path. Some are there for the long haul. Some come at just the right time and move on when our paths diverge. But all make the journey more beautiful.
Marie, I am thankful for know you and being a part of your life.
Today I am grateful for the gift of sleep. Having had bouts of insomnia at various time in my life as well as having had little kids, a night of uninterrupted sleep is truly a gift.
Some others....Love them all!
Mary: I am so grateful to be joining you in this momentous celebration!
Jaime: I am grateful for knowing you.
Christine:
My 17 year friendship with you
For being born to parents who love me ferociously
My good health
My girlfriend posse (including amazing male friends)
Interesting, purposeful work that I hope will leave the world a little better place
Waking up to birds chirping outside my window
Being Italian
The ability to read
Mozart
Jobim
My comfortable home
Popcorn
Watermelon
The sound and smell of the ocean
Hardcover books
The Red Line
Newspapers delivered at the doorstep
Dunkin Donuts coffee
LaBoheme
Gently falling snow
Cashmere sweaters
Maine coastline, especially in the fog
Playing the piano
Kerry:
I am so grateful for my boys even though JP is a wild man!
Judy:
Friends
Deanna:
I'm grateful to have Marie in my life
AlAdam:
I am so thankful to God for the way you share your life, and live your faith with all of us.
Anonymous:
Grateful for fantasies.
And grateful that I don't need to be kind.
Anonymous:
I don't want to post my act of kindness out of respect for the recipient, but it was a good one. And today I am grateful for having my husband home on day three of tending to all three kids with fevers. And grateful that all three of them are comforted with TLC, TV and popsicles. LOVE YOU!!
Robin:
Beautiful lighthouse
I am thankful for sunshine that brightens my days!
I'm thankful to be able to walk, talk, and feed myself.
Grateful for friends, my pets and God in my life.
Thankful that Marie celebrated a birthday and now someone else is in her 50's!!!
When I read your blog on Thursday; I was busy packing for Maine (although I am thankful to have such a beautiful place to go)and didnt have time to respond.
On Friday I was busy driving to Maine, so I didn't have time to respond while following my "baby" driving her car up the Maine turnpike (although I am thankful, she made it safely on that day and every day so far!).
On Saturday, I was busy gathering with good friends on our screen porch (and I am thankful for both those friends, all my friends and for especially those screens...eww, bugs!)
On Sunday, I was too busy to respond because I was spending time with family; my own parents and some who are just like family (for whom I am thankful every day!)
On Monday, I was busy driving back home from Maine with the whole family listening to "Dog On it" by Spencer Quinn (and I was very thankful to be traveling with my wonderful husband and 2 incredible teens, all together laughing at the antics of Chet and Bernie...and hey look... No traffic, another thing to be thankful for).
Yesterday, I was busy re provisioning the house after a weekend away (and I was thankful for the fact that I can afford enough good, healthy food for my family, even if I'm not thankful for having to shop for it.)
And today I woke up and realized that while I have to do laundry, and have to deliver Graduate balloons around town in the rain with my 9th grader; I still hadn't responded to the party. I know that I was grateful every day because I AM grateful everyday, for a lot of reasons, but if I ever forget to be grateful, I have a friend who has helped me to see the importance of gratitude. by the wonderful things she writes and the way she shares her life with me, she reminds me to be grateful. I am very thankful to have Marie in my life (again, after too many years out of touch)
Happy Birthday, Marie!
We had computer problems on Wed, so I was not able to write. I am grateful for technology that has allowed me to stay in touch with friends and family, especially those I rarely see. It has been a source of strength and support to me!
Today I am grateful for the gift of patience.
And more!
Jaime:
This morning I woke up with gratitude for healthy children-including especially the one who has a fever who only wants to be snuggled up next to or on top of me.
Suzanne:
Thanks for the reminder and inspiration to keep the vibes current and alive.
Harriet:
I am grateful every night that I have a safe warm place to sleep.
Kendra:
my first moment of gratitude is that J and L were in the Orange Room together and you’ve become part of our life.
Anna:
• the ability to learn new things (lately this is learning to exercise, which I have never done before, and finding (surprise!) I love it and it shifts a lot of things!
• the lawn all mowed and looking awesome and inviting
• feeling in love with my husband after all this time
• I love how my 40's make me feel really comfortable in my own skin, and interested in other people's opinions of me but not hinging my identity on it.
• music when I am running - WOW, one great drum riff can change everything!
• This awareness that NOW is the right time to show people I love how much I love them
• the ability to laugh at myself and keep going
• I am grateful for you, Marie! Your presence in my life has showed me that much more is possible!
Anonymous:
Glad I'm alive, so glad that I am with my son this weekend.
Grateful for you for sure, you have been such a big part of my life.
Lisa:
Today I was grateful for my garden.
Elisabeth:
Grateful today for my guitar, which an old college friend gave me, and for the third-grade guitar lessons from my parents, so I don't have to start completely from scratch!
Today I am grateful for my children and their understanding that sometimes mom is just out of it.
Today I am grateful for the rain, which made our grass and flowers grow.
Today I am grateful for running water for cooking, cleaning and hot relaxing showers.
Today I am grateful for recognizing most problems are self-made, at least mine are!
Today I am grateful for our dogs who remind me that more wag and less bark makes everyone happier
More comments:
E: Grateful for coffee this morning.
grateful to wake in the beautiful home of my loving cousins....green all around, birds chirping, young boys eager to play games, and flowers to plant.
Grateful for friendship.
Dave:
Thanks for being such an inspiration and for reminding us all of the power of a positive outlook and attitude.
Amy:
I am grateful to have met you and to be included in your circle.
Annie:
I am grateful for your friendship, your communication skills and your generosity!
I am also grateful for my healthy parents, books on CD and my Dustbusters.
This is not a comprehensive list.
Martha:
baseball practice and Brady bunch movie night on the couch
Susie:
Butterflies
Stephanie:
I am grateful for your friendship and for all you do to for me
E:
one of our good teenage friends had surgery today for ocular melanoma. He will likely do well because he had early symptoms, has health insurance, and lives near good medical care. I feel grateful for that.
K:
I am incredibly grateful to you have you and all the treasure hunters in my life.
E:
I am so grateful to have met you and all of the treasure hunters
S:
I am so grateful for you and for the rest of the treasure hunters
M:
#1- daughter is grateful for her "life" - then her family.
#2 - today - i was grateful for my hearing on my dog walk - the birds are soo beautiful at this time of year. i noticed that the birds were DIFFERENT from Maine!
Today I am grateful for the joy of singing.
Today I am grateful for my hearing, which allows me to hear all the world's beautiful sounds!
Today I am grateful for shoes, which cushion our steps as we walk along life's paths.
Today I am grateful for my pillow so I can have a soft place to lay my head.
Today I am grateful for the people who do all the little tasks that seem so "mundane", "trivial", or "unimportant" yet are needed to make life so much better. They rarely get any recognition but give so generously.
Today I am grateful for washing machines, which make doing laundry less of a "chore".
Today I am grateful for irons, which help to get some of the wrinkles out of life.
Today I am grateful for summer fruit, which brings extra sweetness to our days.
Today I am grateful for the fly that kept me up last night buzzing around me ear. It reminds me that sometimes we think we're just doing our thing but don't realize how it affects others.
Today I am greatful for our friendship and the good fortune to be a part of your life even from afar!
I am also greatful to have been blessed with an amazing family and cheerish every moment.. good or bad..
I LOVE your words of wisdom and strength .. you are THE BEST!
Today I am grateful for my sink full of dirty dishes. They remind me that we always have plenty to eat and someone to eat with.
Today I am grateful to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Aunt Carol and Uncle David.
Today I am grateful for my wonderful husband and all he does to support me!
Today I am grateful for trees, which bring us shade.
Today I am grateful for my health problems which gives me more compassion towards those who deal with their own health problems.
Today I am grateful for running water.
Today I am grateful for washing machines and driers, which allow me to "quickly" do the laundry without a trip to the river.
Today I am grateful for anxiety, which helps me understand just how often I take peace for granted.
Today I am grateful for a day of peace.
Today I am grateful that my daughter has been moved from acute care rehab to regular rehab.
Today I am grateful for my dirty stove, which we used to cook several family meals this weekend.
Today I am grateful for the airplanes that were flying overhead throughout the night. Listening to them reminded me that the world is not as big and things are not as far away as we think.
Today I am grateful for the airplanes I listened to flying overhead last night.
Today I am grateful for friends, old and new.
Today I am grateful for time to go to the pool.
Today I am grateful for the cleaning crew that comes every other week to help clean the house.
Today I am grateful for time spent with my daughter looking at doll clothing.
today I am grateful that I got to spend some time just being with my children.
Today I am grateful for the tour with the kids of the old Allegheny County Jail. It made me realize that I often create my own imprisonments through my thoughts, words and actions.
today I am grateful for feeling connected.
Today I am grateful for feeling connected.
Today I am grateful to live in the USA.
Today I am grateful for days of hanging out by the pool.
Today I am grateful for the cake my daughter baked.
Today I am grateful for the public library system, which has provided us with so many books, videos and other resources to share.
Today I am grateful for cows from whom we get milk, cheese and ice cream.
Today I am grateful for yarn because it gives me a focus and helps me get through the day sometimes.
Today I am grateful for the clear blue sky which reminds me that after clouds and rain there is always the sun.
Yesterday I was grateful to almost wrap up a project from work that has been hanging over my head. But I ran out of time to finish it up. It made me realize that work is "never ending" and time does run out.
Today I am grateful I watched my son's relay swim to a first place finish.
Today I am grateful for a delightful dinner and shopping with my daughter.
Today I am grateful that my daughter was able to start to return to physical activity after her accident.
Today I am grateful to have my boys back home and all of us together again.
Today I am grateful for my two bickering children who seem to be fighting over inconsequential things. It makes me realize how much like children I act sometimes
Today I am grateful for having experienced this journey focusing on gratitude. There are so many things that are gifts to me and for which I am grateful. Some are obvious, like my family, my health, the resources we have. Some are things I take for granted, like running water, AC, etc. and some are things that I find annoying and "disrupting" to my life, like my anxiety, fighting children, rain on a day we were supposed to go to the pool, etc. This journey taught me to value and be grateful for all of these things, even the ones I "wished" were different. The latter ones especially have taught me that all things have value and bring gifts to my life, but the gift is mine for the choosing. And for that insight, I am grateful. Thanks, Marie for the gift of this journey.
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