I still can’t really believe it. I can’t believe that I get to be the recipient of so much ongoing goodness.I’m sure you’re tired of hearing that word from me — goodness. But there’s a reason for it. I don’t know if I’ve written it here before but I know I’ve told many a person that when I was diagnosed with even the thought of cancer… Before I knew the staging or the grade or the blahtiddy blah blah blah… I thought I was a goner. I was convinced that I’d lead too good of a life up until that point and I must have only been meant for 33 years. I questioned, even after being diagnosed, how I could ask God for more goodness. For healing. If that was not his plan. How could I beg him to give me more when I’d already gotten, in my mind, more than one person ever deserves — a beautiful husband who I adore, children who are pretty much the bomb diggity, family who is second to none, a TRIBE… a biiiiig freakin’ tribe, a church FAMILY, friends who are so far beyond that… AND THAT… that doesn’t even cover the stuff… the things… the accessories to life.
And then. Cancer. I had it. And I was told I was not dying. I would go through treatment. Because I am lucky enough to live where there is healthcare and technology and knowledge. And then, even when I was unable to care for myself and my kids, other stepped in. Helping hands… every which way… and the goodness just continues to pour down like cats and dogs. Like rain that’s cats and dogs, of course {no animals were harmed in the writing of this blog}.
Blessing after blessing seem to come at us. All the goodness. And this week, this time, is no exception.
Because when we came to North Carolina, it was a little bit of blind faith. “Show up. We’ll give you a house. Food. Friendship. And a break from reality.”
And then. It’s real as real can be.
And it’s mostly insane because these people have never met us. They don’t know how brilliant I find my Oldest… How innovative I think the Middlest is… How entertaining I find the little guy. They didn’t know us from Pete. But they believed that our family deserved a respite. A Calm. A getaway.
And it’s been everything I could have asked for. And more than I could have thought of.
We have kept to our new adventuring family mantra and checked out places off the beaten path on a day when we ventured from the group plan. We knew that only having to shell out cash for one day… for one bit of activity during a whole week was MUCH more doable than when you are trying to foot the whole bill. So to Myrtle Beach we went exploring. And we marked South Carolina off of our “States Goals” list.
We’ve each gotten one on one time with each of the boys at different times. Soaking up their tenderness. Their snuggles. Their comfort with us.
We’ve gotten to eat meals without fuss. Plenty of hands around to help. Plenty of options for the kids to not eat:).
We’ve enjoyed sun. And surf. Without being stressed that we only have four hands to take care of six. And make sure they are each getting to enjoy the beach.
We’ve seen new sites. Taught new things. Even in the middle of tantrums.
Enjoyed the water. As much as possible.
As. Much. As. Possible. And it has exceeded the joy I thought I would feel, watching the boys feel so free.
The hubs and I have gotten to try new things. Things that otherwise, would be hard with three kids in tow. And I’ve gotten to feel normal. And strong again.
Also on our alone time, our “breakaway”, we decided to catch a movie at the last minute and ended up with our own theater to stretch out and command.
I committed to memory 100s of giggles as I watched my boys actually loving an experience that had to have been just as much fun for me as it was for them.
We did things we never would have put money towards pre-cancer. Because next time I would have said. Or I’m scared I might have thought.
We’ve shaken things up. Even when we had steak in the game. {See what I did there?!}
And again… MORE GOODNESS…
Because some random couple saw me walking with the three boys and gave us all their tickets to cash in. Which meant treats for the boys. For FREE.
I’ve gotten to capture some awesome memories on film. And others in my mind.
Meet some beautiful people. Thriving and surviving… whether cancer survivors or co-survivors or selfless volunstars.
Dated my husband… {and yes. My boobs ARE amazing. AND my husband IS beautiful}
We’ve chilled. Played. And just been.
Experienced times about cancer. 
Been our crazy selves.
Tried new things {like a drive-on Ferry}…
Caught waves. Sun. And memories.
Taken the party outside nearly every morning.
Soaked up being a party of 5.
Played more games. And celebrated wins and losses.
And sipped on warm coffee. Without a care in the world. And a beach view.
And all of it… all of the awesome Little Pink “events” are optional. If you don’t want to do an activity and want to spend every day napping, you can. If you don’t want to show up to a group meal but want the meal delivered to you, you can. If you want to take every day and find ways for your family to connect outside of the Little Pink “agenda for the day” that’s quite all right, too. Because it is a selfless goodness. They don’t want anything in return except to know that the patients/survivors are getting time. Time.
So, one more day of the goodness to come. Today we strayed from the group. Yesterday was a lovely Survivor’s tea and a date night at the Flying Fish Cafe in Oak Island. And the day prior was paddleboarding and beach time with the boys. Followed up by a ferry ride and North Carolina Aquarium tour and dinner with the fishies. I have a feeling the boys will have a tough time adjusting to reality next week. But this week… this beautiful gift of togetherness and memory making has 100% been worth any sort of vacation hangover any of the boys should bring home in their luggage.
Selfless goodness. It’s everywhere, it seems. And for some reason, I get to be the recipient of so much. And for that, I am so thankful that this is my journey. I hate to think of a life without realizing what a truly beautifully inspirational place this world can be. How fortunate I am to learn that now.
