Cancer, Chaos, and A Crazy Canine
It’s January once again, a time to prepare for the new year and set goals. My faithful blog followers might remember that I typically choose a motivational word or phrase to focus on each year. I must confess it almost didn’t happen in 2024. It wasn’t writer’s block, but more like positivity block. Despite my efforts to wrangle my psyche into submission, I had nothing. At least, not until I attended the funeral of a sweet young friend.
The funeral was heartbreaking, but at the same time, inspirational. One person after another spoke of my friend’s willingness to say “yes” when asked to participate in any activity, service, or challenge. It seemed as if she never worried whether she had the time, talent, or brain power to accomplish a specific task. She just pushed forward with everything she had to give. I left the funeral wishing I could be someone with no fear. Thus, my mantra for 2024 was born: Be FEARLESS.
The next day I attended church and the very first hymn the congregation sang contained the words “be faithful and fearless”. It was a sign. The following Sunday, the same hymn was announced, and I was stunned as this is not a song we sing often. Imagine my surprise—I swear I’m not making this up—when I attended church in another state on the third Sunday, and the hymn was again on the program. I guess God wanted to make sure I got the message loud and clear.
The year 2023 was a bit rough for us. My husband was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma is his left lung in April and everything changed. He’s always been the strong, healthy one, and suddenly with the results of a few tests, the dynamics of our relationship and our lives has shifted. We’re not flexible and spontaneous people by nature. Instead, we both like to have a plan and maintain order and control of our circumstances. Cancer doesn’t care. It rips through schedules and calendars like a raging tornado, making no secret of who’s calling the shots. In order to survive, you adapt.
As if battling life changes, cancer treatments, and the resulting side effects wasn’t enough, we decided to go ahead and welcome a golden retriever puppy into our home in the summer of 2023. We’d been planning to get a new dog since Tebow passed away in April of 2022, and despite a less than ideal situation, we did it. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve questioned our sanity. Wilson is a sweet, evil little monster who always wants to play and rarely wants to sleep. He’s also cute and cuddly, and we love him. I’ve posted a photo of our naughty boy leaning over the back of the couch with his Christmas bear.
As we finish up the first month of this new year, my goal is to be fearless and go forward with faith. And I am feeling much more positive. I’m beginning to feel the urge to write again and finish my writing projects. But I’m not going to lie. There are days it’s an uphill battle. Days when I struggle to accomplish anything, when it seems to take too much effort to interact with anyone, leave the house, or even get dressed. Fortunately, the good days now outnumber the bad. I’m grateful for the present and hopeful for the future. It’s time to be FEARLESS!
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Love you Wendy & love this post. I appreciate your courage to be vulnerable & open. The hymn phrase that sometimes comes to me is “Fear not, I am with thee oh be not dismayed…” from How Firm A Foundation. Keeping Sonny in prayers & on the prayer roll.
Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers.
Love you! Thanks for your inspirational post! I’m adopting your “fearless” mantra, too! Praying for you guys! 🫶
Awww. Thank you! It’s easier said than done, but I’m trying to adjust my mindset. It’s a terrible thing to be burdened with worry and anxiety. Jeffrey R. Holland’s talks have given me strength and courage.
So sorry about the battles you all are facing, but it is nice to hear that you have become more positive. Clearly you should be writing!! Love this story. Stay strong and fearless!! You’ve got some of the best medicine, Wilson!
Thanks for the encouragement! I need to get back on a writing schedule. Wilson is a definitely a blessing, but also a curse. Maybe once he sleeps through the night I’ll have more energy and motivation! 😂🙄
You’re such an inspiration to me! I am so sad to hear of the health issues sending my prayers your way! It’s time to go out to dinner again!
Thank you! We’d love to see you, but we’re spending a few months where it’s warmer. We miss you guys. Hope to meet up with you in the Spring!
I can really relate to your thinking on that Christmas box! But the wrapping paper color and motif was out of place too. (I’ll pit my OCD against yours any time, lol) You seriously are making me reconsider dusting off my own blog, which I shut down 15 years ago. (Now that’s scary!) In the meantime, I am looking forward to your next post: COOL, CALM AND COLLECTED! And maybe throw in a CUDDLY CANARY for good measure. As far as inspiration for the New Year, we are on the same page (literally), as you know by our recent conversation. I am choosing “Be Faithful. Be Fearless.” for my focus. Two Thirty Seven all the way, Baby!
Haha! Your comment on my The Sideways Christmas Present post is hilarious. Penguins, Santas, and snowmen—oh my! You should absolutely start blogging again. 😍 As for Cool, Calm, and Collected, I can tell you with certainty that’s never going to happen. Let’s be faithful and fearless together—#237 for the win!