Thanks and Giving

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” 

— Melody Beattie

According cancer.gov/about-cancer, there are nearly 14.5 million people living beyond a cancer diagnosis. The death rate for those with cancer has decreased, and the number of survivors has increased. As a new cancer survivor,  I find that news to be encouraging and hopeful. This tells me that I am not nearly alone. There are a lot of us who will get the opportunity and reprieve from this life disrupting disease. So many that will live full lives with the ones that they love. In the spirit of that, and the gratitude that I have regarding my own cancer experience, here is my list of 30 things for which I am grateful this year, post cancer.

I am thankful
… to be living cancer free.
… for the love and support of my amazing parents.
… for today. 
… for the gift of friendship, sisterhood and community.
… for my yoga practice. (It gave me, ME back.)
… to have a purpose and the ability to pursue that ideal.
… for my creativity and free spirit.
… for the warmth and radiance of the sun.
… to be moving deeper into health and happiness.

I am truly thankful
… to have LOVE surrounding me, daily.
… for the people and opportunities that have been placed along my path.
… for opportunities to learn and to grow.
… for days with my toes in sand or in grass.
… to have come from a long, strong lineage of women and men.
… for the beauty and strength that is me.
… for time to rest and the patience that I must provide for myself.
… to be sharing and exploring new relationships.
… for having celebrated my parent’s 50th Anniversary with them!
… for realizing and experiencing my own power.

I am incredibly thankful
… that I get to teach.
… for the time and space to be with my thoughts.
… to grow as myself.
… for the freedom of summer.
… for Thanksgiving dinner & sweet potato pie!
… for all experiences that have made me stronger.
… for the magical sound of children laughing.
… for the guardian angel that is still my sister, My-chelle.
… to have my (2nd opinion) medical team that took me into consideration from day one.
… forever, for the gal pals who continue to see me through each step of my cancer experience and beyond.

I am also quite thankful
… after the year that I've had, to be officially launching this blog to share my life in stories —Greetings From My Cancer Vacation!

XO - teri