It's just like riding a bike...

So the time has come! With Christmas time over and the New Year rapidly approaching, the New Year’s resolutions have begun. I have never been one to really take much thought in having a resolution. I think I might have had the ever so popular “start going to gym more or quit drinking”, but this year I have decided on a life changing resolution. I actually have put a lot of thought and time into this New Year’s resolution. 

So here is, I am taking up biking and will compete in a race.

This is how it all came about. It all started when I read the book Who Says I Can’t? .  I have talked about the author, Jothy Resenberg in previous blogs. Anyway, while reading his book I started thinking about my years as a runner.  I can’t even describe how important those years were to me. I am so thankful that I had that time in my life to excel as an athlete. I know it was short lived but it was that same drive and determination carrying me on to run the race of my life! The skills I had developed as an athlete proved to be equally important with my personal battle with cancer. I use to run about 7 miles a day and run about a 6 minute mile, which for 8^th grade was pretty fast! I lived, breathed and slept running. I will never forget the day the doctor told me I would never be able to run again. He said the strain of running would be too much for my replacement. Crushed would not even be close to accurately describing how that day felt. I was defined by my running. Back then, that’s who I was, not just what I did. So not only was I fighting for my life, I was also fighting to discover a new identity.

“What can I do now? If I can’t run, how can I possibly be an athlete? What good am I with one good leg?”

So many thoughts went through my head.

 I wish I would have had Jothy’s book back then because I would have seen how endless the possibilities could have been for me! I feel now I lost so many years mourning the loss of my identity instead of putting all that energy into finding a new outlet. Nevertheless I have found it now! I am taking up biking! I think that if I put that stubbornness, drive, determination, which I know I have, into biking I will succeed!

I know with anything it will take hard work and some blood, sweat and tears. I am setting my goals high. With that I am going to enter in the Beauty and the Beast cycling race in March of 2011. They have several different levels at which you can compete, so I will enter in the 34 mile race. The longest is 64 miles. I have 3 months to get into shape and up to par to compete. This race is just the beginning. I want to start small but my all-time goal is to compete in the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge in Boston. They raise money for the cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Its a bike-a-thon through Massachusetts; Pretty hard core. I think the longest race is 111 miles. Wow. Not ready for a two day ride but I will be doing baby steps till I am strong enough to compete in at least one of their races. Jothy watch out! Lol

First ride on my new bike was 3 miles. Felt pretty good. My husband and I took our 10 year old on a ride. Spent some nice family time. I will slowly work my way up and continue to increase my speed and length of rides. I am determined to finish the Beauty and the Beast. I may not be first (this year lol) but I WILL meet my goal. I survived cancer, I can do this!!

So I hope you will all follow me on this next chapter of my life, because this is an important step for me. I will keep you all posted on my progress and even throw in a few pictures!

Thanksgiving post

Thanksgiving has always been such a wonderful holiday with my family. I have celebrated Thanksgiving every year for 27 years at my grandparents’ house.  Except for the year I was diagnosed with cancer, I cannot remember missing a year. Even then, they brought Thanksgiving to me at the hospital. We have the picture to prove it! Try fitting about 15 people in a hospital room! Not the easiest thing to do but we did it! I felt so special that everyone was willing to drive all that way to make sure I didn’t miss out on our tradition.  I think that has been one of the many things I have taken away from my childhood. I love tradition. I love and appreciate that our family values tradition as well.  The older I get the more I am realizing how truly blessed I am to have grown up with extended family. I have been lucky enough to have such a strong support system. I think this helped in my recovery from cancer. My family brought Thanksgiving and Christmas to me. Not many children going through what I have been through can say that. All this to say, I am THANKFUL! I am thankful for my parents and all the grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers and sisters who gave of themselves all those years while I was sick.  My support system played a vital role in my recovery. This year, and every year, I am reminded of that Thanksgiving spent laid up in a hospital bed and I am forever grateful for FAMILY. It all begins and ends with family.

It is more blessed to give than to receive

Growing up, Christmas was more about spending time with family then getting the latest and greatest gadget. I am one of five children and being a parent myself I can only imagine the struggles my parents went through to make Christmas special every year for all of us kids. To be honest I can't really remember many of my gifts as a child.I am sure I got many gifts but other then a few things here and there I feel bad I can't remember any of them! The things I do remember are these: Having talent shows every year, singing Christmas carols with my cousins, playing capture the flag, football, standing around that big table at my grandmothers and listening to all the adults talk, wishing and hoping that one year we would be able to "sit" at the grownups table! Waiting anxiously for Christmas Eve so we could spend it at my Grandparents house. These are just a few of my favorite memories. I could spend many hours talking about my childhood and how in 27 years I have never missed a Christmas Eve at my grandparents house. That's tradition.

These are the types of memories I hope to pass on to my own boys. I want Christmas time to be about the excitment and joy of receiving gifts, but also to be a time where we show love, compassion, gratitude, and a thankful and giving heart. I love seeing my boys happy, but it is my desire for them to find happiness in giving to others. It is when we give that we find true joy.

In this day and age it's so easy to get swept up in the choas of Christmas.Spending insane amounts of money and losing sight of what this time of year is all about. We received the ULTIMATE GIFT.This precious gift was given to us,Jesus gave his son so that we might have life! So many times we forget what the real reason for the season is. I am guilty of this just as much as the next person, but I have made it a point this year to sit down with the boys at various times and talk about what Christmas means to them. Now, T is still a little young to really understand everything but Z is very much aware.

Z and I were going Christmas Shopping today for a few last minuete things we needed to get. I was talking to him about how important giving to others is and why we need to be grateful for the things we have and how it is better to give then to receive. I find myself having this conversation with Z every so often because he sometimes loses sight of how truly fortunate he is and just needs a little reminding every now and then. Anyway, we had this long discussion while sitting in the HORRIBLE Tyler holiday traffic!lol We talking about different charities and what they do to help people.So through the course of the conversation Z starts to tell me that he wants to one day go to a hospital that has kids with cancer. He says," You know, like kids who have cancer like you had. I want to give money to help them. It made me sad that they have  to go through that! I want to help!"

WOW,It about brought me to tears listening to this childs heart! He listens. I have tried to set the bar high for T and Z. I know alot of times people say they are just kids, they don't understand, but I disagree! I think children understand alot more then many give them credit for. Christmas time is such a wonderful opportunity to take the time to teach your children about giving to others. Doesn't matter what or how much, sometimes just the willingness to give makes the point. I know Z gets it. He is a kid and loses sight sometimes of how lucky he and is brother are, but that's ok, because I know, when it's all said and done he truly has the willingness to give. We have started a few of our own family traditions and I hope these traditions continue on through the years. I love my boys so much and I only hope I am planting seeds that will grow and flourish in the years to come.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and takes a few moments to "give". Even the simple act of kindness towards another could change the whole course of a persons life. A small toy for a child who otherwise would have no Christmas, a hot meal to the homeless, a smile to a stranger in the grocery store, or maybe just blessing another family in need this season. We set the example for our children. Our kids are watching and learning from us, as parents. What type of example are we setting? Are we teaching them that Christmas is only about what we did or didn't get for Christmas? Or are we leading by example that Christmas is about celebrating Jesus' birth and how we need to have a heart of a servant? Just something to think about. "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive." -Acts 20:35

Busy...Busy

I know it has been a little while since I have last posted! I have not forgotten!! :-) I have been super busy with work so my time to write has been neglected. I have quite a few posts I need to proof before posting so please check back soon. I will have new stuff by next week! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and is getting ready for Christmas! This is my favorite time of year!