Making Memories

With my dad at Redondo Beach... enjoying the sunset!

With my boys...

Last week the boys and I got to spend the day with my dad. What a treat! It was a wonderful day; seafood, the ocean, the beach, my dad, my boys and a glorious sunset! WOW (no words)

I'm sure we all have memories/lessons we've learned from our parents, this day remineded me of one of my favorite memories from my childhood that I'd like to share with you now:

I was very young, maybe ten years old, the very first time my dad took us to Santa Monica Beach. I can still remember when I saw the ocean for the very first time, fell in love with it! Looking at its immensity scared me but I was still mesmerized by it. I remember wanting to go in the water and play, so I did. I did not like the way the waves would throw me round and roll me on the sand. My legs and arms got scratched from being dragged in the sand by the waves. I would get up again and again and try to stay on my feet just a few minutes before the next big wave would roll me over one more time. I saw that my dad was deep in the water but he was not getting knocked over. I thought that maybe because he was older, stronger and bigger than me he was able to stay on his feet unlike me. After a while he came over and held both my hands with both his hands and told me to turn sideways against the waves and to loosen up my body – not to tensed up. He said that if the waves cut through my body they will not knock me down but if I stand stiff facing the waves the force from the ocean would knock me back and drag me in the sand. So that’s what we did for a long while, he held my hands with his, we stood sideways against the waves , facing each other and we both jumped together really high every time a wave came, sure enough I was not knocked over anymore.
This is a perfect metaphor. I feel that I can stand on my feet (and even have fun) for a long time as long as I’m holding on to those who truly care for me.

ZUMBA Time

Some of you might know, I have been Zumba’ing for some time. On May 7th I will be taking my certification exam to become an instructor. Last Saturday morning the studio I dance with hosted a Master Zumba; two hours of dancing in which other studios were invited. All together there must have been over 200 participants, and we sure danced for 2 hours straight… it is not just a dance, it's jumpin' and hoppin' and shakin' to the point where your brain wants to keep goin' but your body doesn’t. Great fun… loved every minute of it!!!

Hiking with the Girls...

As all of you know, hiking is one of my most favorite activities. The weather has been absolutely beautiful; and so off we go. We have so much fun; it does not feel like a work-out. We start at the end of the workday and go for approximately 2 hours. The company is great, conversation in fun and the view, well what can I say, just look at the pictures!!

All dressed-up!

Last Monday night, Alex and I went to the Chamber of Commerce for the “Celebrating Educators” Dinner. We had a really nice time. I’m very proud of him. He has grown to become a wonderful young man.

I Place My Fears in HIS Hands!!!

Feeling pretty stressed these days...

A few weeks ago I had a CT scan, the results are questionable. There seems to be some growth in three different places near my right lung (lymph nodes). It is nothing very big, about the size of my picky finger nail. My doctor wants to wait a few weeks before doing another scan to compare the activity going on. This is the first time since the Chemo treatments that my scan has not been clean. The oral Chemo I’m currently taking was supposed to work for only a few months, it has been two years. If there is cancer activity, I will have to go through the treatments again. What can I say, I am petrified. The thought of dealing with this all over again scares me but does not surprise me. The doctors have been very clear and honest with me. I am not cure nor in remission. The medication is simply keeping the cancer under control and there is no way to know how body may react month to month. So far my body has been reacting very well. I am still exercising and taking care of myself. Working full time gives us (my loved ones and myself) normality in our lives. But for now, it is nothing but a waiting game and a very stressful one. Most of the time I can forget, but then there are those moments when I feel as if I’m drowning and that gives me the feeling of exhaustion, and THAT is what keeps me from doing the things that I love to do, which is to be active. In my daily conversations with God, I place my worries and fears in His hands – not an easy thing to do ( I am control freak, or was)… I have learned that THAT is what true faith is!!! Trusting that He knows best!