It's funny how a social-media tool like Facebook can totally change - or in my case, save - your life. Last fall, after being diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer and not getting the best treatment locally, an old friend of mine reached out to help. We knew each other back in junior high and high school, but lost touch afterward that. Then, we reconnected via Facebook. Without her help, love and friendship, my path to recovery might have been so much worse.
Not only was I blessed to reconnect with this amazing woman, but I have been blessed by now being a part of her life and the lives of her two incredibly sweet and special children, Aubrey and Brayden. They first met me when I had all my hair, but even during the visits with them when I showed up bald, they loved me. They weren't afraid, just more curious. (Sweet Aubrey was incredibly curious about my surgery scars mostly). As you can see from this photo their mom took while I cuddled with the kids, I am thoroughly content having them in my arms and nearby. I love visiting them and am grateful to forever be a part of their lives. How truly blessed I am for Ann-Christel's generosity, compassion and friendship.
So while I hate photos of myself, I feel inclined to post this one. In June, I spent a week in Utah with both my sisters and five of my eight nieces and nephews. What a joyous week it was for me ... I was surrounded by the loves of my life. Granted, having that many people (kids) in one house and having just finished my chemotherapy a few months before and surgery just one month before, I tend to still get tired quite easily and often. I would use any opportunity to catch 40-winks. So, here I sat, just trying to nap quietly, when out of nowhere I start seeing flashes of light. My sister, Cheryl, had the camera pointed at me and I couldn't figure out why she'd want a photo of me napping. Until I saw and felt my sweet four year old nephew, Carson, curled up next to me. Yeah, I was in my happy place.
Bronwyn Lora turns five years old today and this Aunt is so very proud of her. She is a sweet, loving, yet bold and empowered young lady and the world is hers. I love that she loves to cuddle with me and is my shadow whenever I am with her. She hugs me and says "you are the bestest Cheri in the whole world". Ah, my sweet pea, just as long as YOU think that, I'm happy. I love you and wish you many years of laughs and love.
My sweet niece, Avery, turn nine years old today. Happy birthday, sweet girl! Avery is smart, beautiful, loving, and has the most tender heart of anyone I know. She does anything she can to make people happy and feel loved. You inspire me to be a better person, Avery. I love you so much and you will always, always have a very special place in my heart. Someday I hope you have the chance to love your children (or nieces/nephews) the way I do you. Being a part of your life is my greatest joy. Happy Birthday, Princess. Big hugs coming to you in a few days!
My sweet nephew, Carson, turns four years old today! We celebrated his birthday last weekend while I was in Utah visiting them, so he thinks he already had his birthday. This young boy has his aunt wrapped around his little finger, let me just tell you! He loves to cuddle and watch movies with me. He loves for me to tuck him in at night and sing him his usual four songs. When he talks to me on the phone and says, "I, I, I will pick you up at, at, at the airport", well, I'm inclined to catch the first flight out to see him. He is sweet, loving, hilarious, adorable, and is the love of my life. Happy Birthday, Car-Car. Aunt Ree loves you so much more than you will ever know.
With chemo treatment behind me and my immune system hopefully improved, I traveled to Utah to visit three of my nephews for the first time since Thanksgiving. Now, it might not seem like that's a long time ago, but for this aunt, who usually travels to see them about every six weeks, well, it's been WAY too long! How I have missed them! They didn't seem to mind my bald head, though it took them a few seconds to truly see that I was the same aunt. My happy place is when I have the kids around me...as you can see from the photos. They LOVED the Mac's Photo Booth, where we could take lots of silly pictures of ourselves. I tucked Carson into bed and had to sing him songs (certain songs that included: the Smurfberry crunch song as I call it or the Toy Prince song as he calls it, though it's actually a classic piece; Jingle Bells, Santa Claus is coming to town, some church songs, and Edelweiss). I kid you not. Those are his usual nightly songs. So I sang them as best I could, with all the love in my heart for him. But frankly, I can't stand the sound of my own singing voice!
My nephew, Charlie Jack, turns two today. Pictures here show one of our first photos together (he wasn't even a week old there) and one of our most recent photos together (Thanksgiving '09). I love that boy as if he were my own. He is a happy, adorable, fun little man and he makes his aunt so very proud. I love cuddling with him and watching him smile.
Charlie, I want you to know that while you won't remember the past six months of your life, your aunt will. I haven't been able to see you as much as I'd like to, but it's only because I'm fighting my hardest to be healthy and rid my body of breast cancer. I'm doing it not only for me, but for you, your big brothers and your cousins. I may have had to sacrifice some time with you right now, but it's only because I am committed to having lots more time (years and years) with you later. We have lots of wonderful memories to make together, Charlie. I can't wait to watch you grow up! I love you more than you will ever know.
