What a whirlwhind it has been in the past few weeks in my life. Good stuff thankfully. I had the opportunity to share about Share on a panel a few weeks ago at a health conference. Nerve wracking, scary, yet an amazing experience. I look back at where I was 5 years ago and the deep black hole I was in barely able to function. Yet here I am now finding ways to remember and honor Scott in a positive way and sharing about a support group that is what helped me be where I am at today. How truly thankful I am for this site and the people on it.
Then a couple weeks later we went on a cruise to the Caribbean! Friends invited us and they were able to get us a good deal through some timeshare points they had from an inheritance. These are friends who have I met through a playgroup when C was 8 months old. They have stood by us through our dark moments, and have walked with us in the March of Babies. Their oldest daughter is the same age as C and they are 2 peas in a pod. How fun it was watching them together on the boat. C has never been on vacation with another child before. ( he is the only living child in our family) I was so happy to be able to give him that experience of vacationing with another child. My friend has another child who is 20 months. Spending a week with her was so fun for me and my husband. Getting to hold her, play with her. We tend to feel like the universe made it so we never got to experience those baby/toddler moments a 2nd time. So whenever we get a chance to have the opportunity if fullfills something within us. My friend was always shocked and felt bad whenever we offered to take her little one off her hands. I kept having to tell her that we wanted to it was fun for us.
We also just had fun in the evenings being able to put the kids in the kids area and go be adults in the evenings and have adult conversations. Definetely a trip for the record books. =)
Now we are preparing for our walk in the spring, fundraising, and my milestone birthday. I told my husband that I didn't want a party, and that I really didn't need to be at home around everyone telling the old and over the hill jokes. Those things are hard for me. I know all to well that life can be short and that I am getting older. I don't need the reminders even if they're in good fun. So we are going to my parents timeshare in Florida for my bday so I can just be with my family and have a nice meal out for my birthday. I have told all my family and friends this is all I need or want for my birthday that if they want to give me something they can make a donation to Team Popcorn. I just want to focus on the good, and the positive as I start a new decade.
How wonderful! That sounds like a great plan for your birthday! Hope you have an amazing time in FL! Good luck with fundraising, I know you all will do amazing as always!
Love and hugs
Brandi
I am so glad that you were able to get away and had a wonderful trip!!! I bet you got some great pics! Very neat that C got to experience the vacay with his fellow friend and very cool that you were more than comfortable spending time with the 20-month old. I will be asking advice as I reach that same milestone birthday next year. It's your bday, you do you! I love your outlook here:) Way to go Team Popcorn!
Sending love,
Lindsay
Hugs Hugs Hugs dear friend!
Samantha
So glad you got away with friends and got to relax. Loved seeing the pix on FB. Sounds like Colin had fun. Hope you are able to enjoy your birthday. Remember -- it's just a number. I've hit it and passed it. Enjoy your time away!
erin