Posterous theme by Cory Watilo

The memories we make... July 4th

As another 4th of July comes and goes, I remember back to when I was a kid.  It meant playing wth cousins that I had not seen in a while and a lot of great food, fireworks, and swimming.  When you get abit  older its about going out with your friends and making your good times. 4 years ago, it made really re-evaluate... everyday, every holiday. 

Rewind to July 4th, 2008.  My Mom and step dad John were up for my sisters wedding.  Just a few weeks prior, my diagnosis of Pancreatic cancer rocked my and my families world.  Were we really celebrating the 4th and a wedding.  Actually it was a perfect distraction!  Things do not look quite as bad when you are celebrating!  I remember I was surrounded by family and friends.  My family was happy that day....even living with the fact they were shell shocked a couple weeks before.  We carried on like nothing had happened, but I knew what was going in in my body and I chose to ignore that awful pain, anxiety and the what if's.  I had memories to make...I did not have time to dwell on what would or could be happening.   What a great celebration that was enjoyed by all!

Next July 4th, 2009.......

Well it is almost a year from the start of my treatment.  My niece was travelling back to Zion with me.  After Gettysburg, we headed to Buckhorn, KY to see my Mom and Stepdad, John.  We had a good visit and ate dinner at the Buckhorn Resort, but my step dad did not come...he was not feeling well.  Mom, Ash and I saw some of the best fireworks ever.  Who would of thought such a small town in Kentucky would have such a beautiful array of fireworks.  Ashley and I left and we said our good byes...who would have thought that would be the last time that we would see my stepdad alive.  He died of adenocarcinoma in August.  What a lovely man he was!  

July 4th, 2010

I was out to my friend Anne's camp...having a wonderful time fishing and hanging out with friends.  I knew I would see this day....but in the back of your mind, you always have these little doubts that pop in.  Oh and by the way...I did not touch the fish!!  I hate the way they feel!  So my best friend Anne would take them off for me.  I also learned that you could cast a rod from the lying down position....that way I could continue to have my tanning (with SPF 50) uninterrupted!!  LOL  We would go out first thing in the morning, it was so peaceful!  Love those times...they were priceless! We did not see fireworks that year, but we were having such a good time....we forgot all about them.  Great times

July 4th, 2011

Well this was another trip...it was Meg and I and we decided to spend the 4th in Gettysburg and take in the history and have a litte vacation as well.  We took the battlefield tour...With the cd guided tour I should say.  It made you feel like you were right there when this all happened.  So much history and We tried to take in everything.  Ate at some old amazing spots and took lots of pictures....I should say Meg took them all!  :)  As far as fireworks though, We had to find them.  We saw some, so we got in the car to find them......what an adventure.  We never did get to see them except for a couple that we saw from really far away.  But no matter....I am still here to celebrate another year!!

And for July 4th, 2012

 am in awe that I am still here to another 4th...spemd time with some famiy and friends.....enjoyed the fire works at the park...over looking the water.  The grand finale was amazing.  But what really ocurred was that I started looking back at how different each days were so different....may I kust look at them in different ways....depending on where I was in my cacner journey.  It is kinda like growing up again and reflecting back on those times of old.  Just feeling truly blessed present on this day in july.  

               PEACE and LOVE

                        Chris