We return from San Francisco

Today I'm grateful for...
Being with my family for all life's events
Long walks
Seemingly unlimited love to give
Rewarding and fun things filling my days

Lulu and I just returned from San Francisco with the kids. We had a small celebration to mark the wonderful event, and plan on really celebrating the occasion tomorrow with spending time together as a family. Lulu has just finished her 5 week radiation treatment, and has most of the major steps to beating this cancer completed. It's been a difficult 9 months for all of us, but she's been strong like always (what's new there?). There's many things about having Stage III breast cancer that are negative, but there are some positives also; like getting to have reconstructive breast augmentation and ones asking why you did it? Or being pushed into evaluating your future closely and make some enlightening discoveries. Or me getting to spend more quality time with my wife and learn more about her beautiful character.

Lulu will be taking both oral cancer medications, and hormone therapy for the next 5 years (that's what they say). Lulu's also strongly thinking about taking a new trial drug that would help to prevent the cancer cells from invading her body in the future (the doctors seem to think that she should do this, I guess she is at high risk for relapse?).

I have a strong, determined wife and I'm lucky to be a part of her life. Though many things for her have changed, the positive mindset and assertiveness remain. It's hard not to believe in a higher being shaping our futures when you think about all the great things that I have had laid on me during my 44 years? How was I drawn to Lulu? To being with her during all that has effected her life lately. Most days I can't believe my luck, and I wonder if all of it can be taken away? I'm so glad that I'm here for her and I know that she has greatly benefited from me in her life.

I have been sent another book (read through the Kindle application on my iPhone) to help me to realize just how fortunate that I am. When we think that we have been handed a deck of Spades, there always seems to be a knock on my door, and at mt house's entry is some kind of inspiring message waiting for me. I cried through the last chapter of Marcus Luttrell's, Lone Survivor, The Eyewitness Account Of Operation Redwing and The Lost Heros Of Seal Team 10. I was left wondering how does one endure watching your friends, that have saved you from your ultimate demise, die in front and next to you, and you can't do anything to help them? I realize that dying, unless from advanced age, is difficult to make sense of, and many times is senseless! I can only control how I react to life, I can't change it. If you want understand the sacrifices that our man and women in uniform give to keep this country free, this is the book to clearly identify who they might be? I can't wait to have the next inspirational message sneak through my door.