Giving Thanks…..
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking the last week or so about this past year. Since Thanksgiving is just a few days away, it reminded me so much of how thankful I felt at this time last year and I went back to look at exactly what my thoughts were (ah the beauty of Facebook!). On Thanksgiving day (November 22, 2012), I posted on Facebook:
“Thankful for so many things this year especially my family and the greatest friends a girl could ever ask for. But this year I am especially thankful for my lil baby being in remission for four months now from osteosarcoma so I still get to wake up everyday like this. Happy thanksgiving everyone!”
Now. Those of you that know me well know I always like to add a “knock on wood” to statements like those. And yet, for some reason I did not put it in that post. I wouldn’t call myself very superstitious, but I do not like to tempt fate. In the chat room the other day, I was having a conversation with Rene telling her I could kick myself for making this statement. Because just 4 days later (a year ago today, 11/26/12) I would find a marble size lump in Jill’s thigh that would turn out to be a metastasis.
So I have been thinking……it’s Thanksgiving again. Here we are again. Should I be afraid to be thankful again that Jill is now almost one-year cancer free? Should I be afraid to even type those words? Truth be told, Yes, I am a little bit. But if I’m really honest with myself I know that is SO SILLY. Why not celebrate her victories? That lump was already there when I made that post – I just hadn’t found it yet. Maybe I should look at it a different way and be thankful that I was feeling her well enough for lumps in the first place.
This cancer journey is a scary one, all of us dealing with it know that. It’s unpredictable, topsy-turvy, sad, but at times…..joyful. We need to take the times we can to celebrate the milestones and victories when the opportunities present themselves. So this year, yes, I am thankful that Jill made it through a difficult year and is doing well and happy…….
Knock on wood. 🙂
November 26, 2013 @ 11:20 am
Awww, yes, and we are all so thankful for Jilly’s recovery as well – showing us and everyone that life is okay for kitties after cancer. Excellent work kicking cancer’s furry butt, Jilly!
November 26, 2013 @ 11:29 am
Purrfect!! Jill IS doing great!! Call it remission…call it cure….call it fantastic….it doesn’t matter what you call it…she IS doing great!! And we are all so thankful for that.
And we are all so thankful for you both!
I’m definitely a “knock on wood” addict so I undersatnd. And I will actualy go out of my way looking for wood to knock on (using my head doesn’t count!) during those times when my remarks warrant it.
But yeah…I’m reallh glad I saw the “knock on wood” just as an extra safeguard!:-) 🙂
Love and hugs!
Sally and Happy Hannah
November 26, 2013 @ 11:39 am
Great post, Erica. I have been having similar thoughts. It doesn’t seem right to be thankful that my boy has lost a leg and is struggling. But, he’s here. I guess it’s another lesson in living in the moment. Happy Thanksgiving, Erica and Jill !
~ Jennifer & Dieter
November 26, 2013 @ 4:58 pm
Happy Thanksgiving Jilly Jack Bella (or Belle i forget) and Rica! hugs kisses and very best wishes!
virginia and dixi
November 26, 2013 @ 6:28 pm
Knock on wood…but better yet….give her a big hug from Tucker and I.
Looking forward to her one year ampuversary!
Linda
November 26, 2013 @ 7:36 pm
Yay Jilly-Bean from the crew down South. And……. knock on wood. 😀
November 26, 2013 @ 9:42 pm
Love Jilly & Thankful you feel your cat all over and felt that tiny lump. If you hadn’t we wouldn’t be where we all are today to celebrate that ONE YEAR (and many more) *knock on wood.
Thinking of you
Michelle & your chemo buddy Angel Sassy
November 26, 2013 @ 10:38 pm
Yup _ I’m definitely a fan of knock on wood although it’s usually my head!
Jill always gives us wonderful reasons to celebrate and will continue to do so (KOW 🙂 )!
Luanne and Spirit Shooter