Rule #8

     Somewhere along the line, my family developed life rules.  I’m not sure what 1 through 7 are anymore because they all paled in comparison with Rule #8, “Smile no matter what happens!” 

 

     My mom spent her last few months in the hospital surrounded by her family and friends before she lost her battle with Ovarian Cancer.  That was 20 years ago.    Above her bed was a white board and I remember looking at it with my sister and writing on it, in extremely large red lettering, “Rule #8 – smile no matter what happens.”  Those few words made both my sister and I stronger and therefore made mom stronger.  When we entered mom’s room and wanted to cry – a quick look above her head reminded us to smile.  Mom didn’t need to worry about us when she was fighting for her life and with that reminder we smiled.

     After mom passed away, this rule is still our mantra.  My sister and I actually have the number 8 tattooed on our ankles to remind us that smiling makes things better and no matter what happens....smile!

     So as I look at that daunting hill...I smile, as I think about how much my body hurts after cycling 100 plus km....I smile and when I meet another family taking on the cancer fight...I smile.  

     I smile because Rule # 8 says I have to and I never break the rules!

Janis

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A Mom's TIme Out!

      It was one of those days where I needed a Mom’s Time Out.  I walked in to every dish in our kitchen dirty on the counter, our new pound hound licking the dishes that were in the sink, a hot bathroom and a toilet with unflushed poop, an extremely hot and moody 13 year old grumbling and throwing things as he got frustrated trying to make Alphaghetti and a 9 year old daughter yelling, “mama mama I want some Alphaghetti!”  Then there was all the groceries I just bought, on the floor of the kitchen, taunting me to put them away.  It was all just too much.  With my jaw clenched, I felt like I was going to boil over.  I wanted to seriously scream!  It had been a long week of training, fundraising and a 20 hour call out over the weekend in which I was looking forward to having off.  I had had enough so I  put myself on a TIME OUT before I threw something (like a child or a dog!)

     So my Lonetree Apple Cider and I escaped to the deck and I sat there trying to get my head in order.  Then I realized.....at least I have the option of having a Time Out!    As I think about what Alicia and Carson must have gone through with Junior Rider Kai over the past year, I realize that they didn’t get to go on Time Outs.  They did not have the option to just say "I quit" and grab a cider and sit on the deck.  Kai needed them and Kai still needs them and the team that is behind him to help in fight the Big C!   And with that realization, I finish my Apple Cider and headed back inside to hug my kids and flush the toilet!!  

Janis

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