5 YEARS....IT'S BEEN 5 YEARS since my doctor came to my hospital bedside and said "YOU ARE CANCER FREE!"
If I could have predicted 5 years ago that I'd be here today posting about everything that has happened in 5 years, I would've been wrong about a lot of things! And let's just go ahead and say, I'd been wrong because it really isn't my plan. It's GOD'S plan. We can try to predict, plan and prepare all we want, but in all honesty, it's not in our control.
In the last 5 years, all the typical life stuff has occurred. Kids are growing up, Natalie got her drivers license, she's talking about college, all the normal stuff that happens with family and kids. Sure that's an easy prediction. What I wouldn't have predicted was the passing of my dad. I lost my dad Wednesday, July 31, 2019 after a long battle with MDS, a form of Leukemia. I never would've thought he would get cancer shortly after I was diagnosed and pass away. You often hear of people saying they feel like a part of them is missing, well, it's true. I feel like a part of me is missing. I feel an emptiness in my heart, I feel a part of my heart is gone. BUT, my dad is in Heaven...My dad is waiting for me, that is so comforting. And, we (Kristy, Linda and myself) were fortunate enough to be sitting beside my dad as he was called home. Another reason to be thankful. WE witnessed GOD first hand the morning of his passing. GOD sent a beautiful rainbow, end to end, right out in front of his house minutes before he passed. We took pictures, we oohed and awed over the beauty of it. WOW, to see a GOD sign like that, it's hard to be sad long? MY DAD IS WITH HIS FATHER IN HEAVEN!!! I wonder what he's doing, the laughter, the smiles, the joking, the glory of it all, simply amazing!
We all know what I've been through these last 5 years as far as my health is concerned. I've had a few more minor surgeries, reconstructive tweaking so to speak. But other than that, I've moved past being a cancer patient and now, I meet people who have no idea I had cancer! This past year, 2019 has been a rough one. I've had to come to terms that my dad was not going to live much longer. We went through some family struggles, that never should've happened-let's just say, there are really good people in this world! If anyone ever has to deal with a hurting child, it's the worse thing you can ever imagine. Thank GOD we have our Faith, we survived with many life lessons learned. And then, of course watching my dad get weaker and weaker, has truly been heart breaking. Over the last 5 years, I've lost friends and found out some people you thought were your friends, truly are not. BUT, I've gained more-funny how God works. I've witnessed first hand what being a friend really means. I've learned there is evil in the world, true evil. Yes, I know evil is present in our world. But I never imagined I was surrounding myself with people that would cause me and my family harm. We are learning how to move on, praying each day the Holy Spirit guides my words, my actions and my thoughts. The thoughts that most come to me every single day is how will I be judged on my final day? I think about my dad and watching him close his eyes, knowing he met his Lord and Savior that instant! It was so powerful, my dad was so peaceful, and with a rainbow right out over him, I truly know I saw God first hand! I have never been closer to God in all my life, and I thank HIM for that! So, again I remind myself, I want to meet my Father in Heaven with a smile, and not be questioned why I wouldn't forgive people. So, I forgive those that hurt my family. I know better and will watch more closely who I let in my life and who I let get close to my family. I use my God shield to protect and defend my family. I have God on my side, Good wins every time! God wins every time!
No telling what the next 5 years will bring. I won't even try to predict, that would just be one more thing God would laugh at me for! Whatever the next 5 years brings, I will seek God in every step of the way. I will ask God every day to be by my side, to protect me, guide me and comfort me.
May God continue to Bless each and every one of you, may he guide you in all your thoughts and all your ways.
