Thursday, April 12, 2007

Life is what we make it - Make yours memorable



Today was a day. Not JUST another DAY. But a wonderful day. Nothing exciting happened. But...it HAPPENED and that's what's important. I worked a little this morning, the sun was shining, I visited with a friend who is expecting her first child in August (it was the first time I'd seen her since her pregnancy... she looks great), went with Rick to his chemo disconnect, it was still sunny when we got out of the hospital, stopped at Costco for a king size version of everything on our grocery list, went to a baseball game (didn't get rained on), attended a Relay for Life meeting (which by the way, we've raised over $45,000 dollars so far), then home for a late dinner. This is why my first year of survival went by so fast. I figured if you stay this busy, cancer has no chance of catching up to you. Ok, now that I'm sitting down and telling you what I've done...I'm exhausted. It must be about bed time.

Tonight at the Relay for Life meeting I sat by my dear friend Jan. We've been friends for a long time but we don't see each other as much as we used to. I remembered tonight why I love her so much. It doesn't matter how much time passes between the two of us because we pick up right where we left off. She makes me laugh, is so incredibly giving, and a true friend. I love her kids and her husband (Ok Rodg, knock it off. I didn't mean it that way). Everyone needs a Jan in their life. But, please don't take her. She's mine.

Pam and I go to her doctor's appointment tomorrow. Mostly, so she can look at her cute doctor. But don't worry, I'll be there taking notes and listening carefully to the last biopsy/surgery reports. When the appointment is over she'll want to celebrate with a glass of red wine (with ice in it) and brag about how alike we are. She tells everyone she wants to be like me that's why she got cancer. I want to be just like her, that's why I'm thinking about dying my hair copper penny red. Or not. Perhaps, I'll move by a lake, or get a P.T. cruiser instead. The only way I want Pam to be like me is to put up a fight against cancer and never give up.

Although, I joke about cancer whenever I get a chance (it helps me to cope), it isn't a laughing matter. It also doesn't identify who I am. Sometimes I feel like I am only Doreen Schmitt, (the woman with lung cancer who never smoked) or Doreen Schmitt, wife of Rick Schmitt who has colon cancer, or friend of Pam who has breast cancer. But really, the old Doreen hasn't changed. She's still there enjoying whatever is thrown at her, working hard on projects that are dear to her heart, loving life (however crazy it might seem). Today I read a saying in my book called Timeless Thoughts on Love. I thought I would share....
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength;
loving someone deeply gives you courage"
I love you all more than you'll ever know....


Enjoy your Friday!

Love Deeply and Dream Big,
Dor

1 comment:

Dave in MT said...

Happy Friday the 13th! Here's your thought for the day:

They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor. But think about this: 13 original colonies, 13 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 13 stripes on our flag, 13 steps on the Pyramid. Now take out a dollar bill and check out the back: 13 letters in the Latin above, 13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum", 13 stars above the Eagle, 13 bars on that shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits, and if you look closely, 13 arrows.

I think I'm going to have 13 cups of coffee today, just for luck.