Last year at this time my daughter Laurie was diagnosed with non-hodgins' lymphoma. My daughter and I have always had a 'push pull relationship.Ironically it often emulated the one I have with my own mother. I have had years of training in stress management and positive psychology, but family dynamics often unfold in ways that are very difficult to navigate. I have seen a family crisis create healing and forgiveness throughout my years of teaching. Well, lo and behold, it was our turn. Just before my daughter called with the news of her diagnosis, I was sitting thinking about how much I had to do that day and essentially doing what I tell others not to do. I was pre-suffering. Worrying about stuff that hadn't even happened yet. How many of us waster precious moments of our lives, exhausting ourselves over moments that have not yet arrived? Ninety percent of what we worry about never comes true.
My daughter and I have become the best of friends, I am her health advocate. She is a patient at Dana Farber and at our last visit she was told things looked good. We now go every six months for a check up and pray in between that all continues to be well.
The gift we received from this bump in the road is how close we are now and how much more mindful we have become of the moments in our lives. I have gotten involved in fundraising for the Leukemia foundation and will help kick off their walk in Boston on October 4th.I also created a bracelet in her honor which states " Lice juicy,Live joyful", part of the proceeds will go to the foundation. She has become an advocate and role model for inner peace and happiness and now reminds me when I obsess to "let it go". We have in essence discovered "the bless in the mess". I look forward to your stories and how you have come to realize that we have precious little time to waste on grudges, grievances, minor irritations, or any thing that really doesn't matter. Loretta
