It started with a celebration of my friend Rennan's last radiation therapy. Her journey began last May with a diagnosis of cancer in both of her breasts, mastectomy in July, chemotherapy from August until February and radiation until today. Her strength has been amazing through it all. She has maintained an incredible amount of energy and spirit. We have tried to help in little ways, but she has really made this journey all by herself. We celebrated by surprising her at the radiation office wearing pink boas and served a cake decorated with "Our Friendship" "Your Strength". The nurses and doctors were thrilled with the outpouring of friendship and support that is so important to those experience cancer.
Another little joy that people in the South would have trouble relating to: I was able to wear a short sleeve shirt without a jacket the entire day. Including the time I sat with a friend on her porch and visited for a while.
For all those who have misconceptions about how children living in a wealthy suburb of Boston spend their free time -- here is a glimpse of my children's afternoon today.
Max played 4 hours outside with a friend burning their names in leaves using a magnifying glass and the sun and walking about a 1/2 mile to a local playground to play.
Megan spent the afternoon riding a horse, chasing turkeys at a dairy farm, helping friends
walk their calves, cleaning out the dairy barn, and is currently at a friend's house eating pizza and watching a movie with 4 other girls.
For a while I enjoyed watching Megan and her friends at the Dairy Farm, helping and playing like they have lived every day out there. I ended the day throwing the ball for our dog and a neighbors and cooking a spring dish of Mediterranean Shrimp pasta.
It is nice to see my children enjoy nature and the simple things in life. Max has even spent time in the recent weeks creating little stuffed animals by drawing patterns, cutting them out in scrap material, hand sewing them and stuffing them with cotton balls. This idea came from another friend.
Yes, Megan and Max also practice musical instruments, Max is involved in 3 sports this spring, and Megan also plays tennis, which includes them in the group of kids around the nation that are on activity overload. They also enjoy access to the current video gaming systems. Yet, all of these activities seem to balance with their love for just having fun in the outdoors. Maybe it is luxury of living in a place where the rural life is still cherished among the million dollar houses.
I feel very blessed.
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