Another “draft” saved from the trash…. This was written two years ago and I rather enjoyed reading it. The cover photo is from 2010 – only a few days before we learned about the extent of Greg’s cancer which (you will find out if you read) began this whole blogging activity:

There is NO WAY on the planet that I would ever write a blog!  This was my firm stance years ago when I heard that friends/family were keeping one.  I wasn’t about to write anything for anyone else to see!  My journals could be read when I die and that was good enough for me.  Yet at the back of my mind I felt a bit of a prickle whenever I heard encouragement for people to put something more uplifting on the internet.

Autumn 2010 – We were in those beginning and bewildering times as Greg began his cancer treatments for osteosarcoma.  His Toastmasters coach approached me and suggested that I keep a blog.   She had worked as an oncology nurse and she assured me that not only was it a great way to keep others informed, it was also therapeutic for the writer.  I thanked her for the information and continued to say to myself,  “NO WAY would I ever do that!”  However, within the week I had begun to keep a blog on CaringBridge.org.

Our CaringBridge Blog did just as I had been told.  Our friends and associates could read it to stay up-to-date and I found it extremely therapeutic.  Then I discovered something that I had not anticipated.  The events were recorded but along with them I wrote of our response to this new world of pediatric cancer.  We were facing life as we had learned to do throughout our lives, and our readers’ responses surprised us.  Everyone had troubles and trials but not everyone handles them the same. To many readers our response was new and inspiring.  I learned that there is joy in sharing our approach to life because others could benefit from what we have learned along the way.

2014-2015 – The cancer situation at our house during these months was just crazy.  I began this blog which focuses on what I have learned as I love and laugh (or cry) my way through life.  Cancer isn’t nice – though we feel gratitude for the part it has played in our lives we recognize that cancer is the enemy.  Yet it is an enemy which can easily be discussed.   I am quite aware that we have family and friends who are facing much more serious trials with their children… yet most of these trials are not easy to talk about with loved ones, let alone the public.

So I talk.  Well, I write.  I know I don’t share the full depth of my faith and feelings, but I hope that I share enough to show that there is another way to tackle our trials.  Speaking in general terms, I do not believe that our society (as a whole) provides a model that is either positive, favorable or effective in dealing with our troubles.  I just want to show an alternative approach – it is not perfect – but I have had friends share that they have learned from us and it has made a difference in how they approached whatever situation they are facing.  This makes it all worthwhile.

And the blog itself… I just like to write and record whatever.  When I don’t have cancer looming in my face I just want to keep ideas, adventures and other aspects of my life.  I guess if someone wants to learns about how to our family handles cancer they should learn more about us as well.