Living a miracle

What a year. It has been the highest of highs to very low lows. As I reflect on 2018, I am both happy and sad to see it go.  We started the year in Puerto Vallarta. We’ve been going there with Kerry’s family for almost 20 years and it’s one of our favourite places.   Sadly, we didn’t go this year but we’ll be back next year!   I went back to work in January thinking that I was about to be promoted to Vice-Principal.   Sadly, I was not successful. I was so disappointed and really struggled to put my shoulders back and lift my head high. I still needed to show up both physically and mentally to teach my classes in the manner my students deserved. It took all my energy to get out of bed and go to work. I was so upset and sad. It’s a job I really want and have worked so hard for. I have had so much support from my principal and friend, Joe, that it made the disappointment a little less bitter.  I decided to take the kids down to New York City for March ...

I  am writing this as I sit at TGH waiting for to see my cardio-oncologist. I have been mulling this blog around for the past 8 days. Chanukah is a holiday commemorating miracles. We remember the miracle of the Maccabees as well as the miracle of the oil lasting for 8 days. Miracles always seemed like they only occurred in biblical times. But I’m realizing that miracles happen all around us. I am living my own miracle, and I would regret to let this moment pass without marking it at this time.   As humans, we have the ability to shape our own perspectives on situations. We have free thought and can create our own realities. Yes, shit can happen. Yes, life can suck sometimes. And yes, life can be really, really hard. But it’s how we look at it that shapes how we live. So many people have told me how strong I am and how brave I am in how I’ve dealt with my diagnosis and treatment. I’m neither. I’m just choosing to be positive and to enjoy life. I could let this experience m...