I am back from Texas. All went well last week. Right before my colonoscopy, LoveHubbie went to the emergency room. He is okay, but getting extensive medical testing for an incredible number of problems. I still was able to have my procedure, biopsies were taken, and were cancer-free. For this I am grateful.
What brings me joy today:
Seeing my stepson and his beautiful bride start out life together as man and wife.
A very kind distant relative at the wedding who took care of my mother-in-law out of the generosity of his heart, performing an act of kindness that will stay with me a long time. Unexpected kindnesses are the best kind, and the memory of this is very touching to me.
A very kind distant relative at the wedding who took care of my mother-in-law out of the generosity of his heart, performing an act of kindness that will stay with me a long time. Unexpected kindnesses are the best kind, and the memory of this is very touching to me.
New beginnings, fresh starts, major life changes.
Precious friends, including all of you.
My amazing therapist.
Being able to live in the Pacific Northwest.
Surviving one of the most difficult weeks of my life.
People who have come alongside me and helped me.
My loved one getting help.
My loved one getting help.
Being able to see.
I can think of an analogy for how I am feeling. During the wedding, I wore "compression garments". That's a great name for them. The ones I had were ultra-compressing. They did their job very well. For those of you who don't know what these are, they are like the old-time girdles except way more comfortable and without metal pieces and for all different parts of your body.
It was weird when I took them off though. I felt like I was releasing, letting go, "plumping out". Everything relaxed out--swelled back up--over about 15 minutes. Although I'd become used to the compression garments, when I took them off I relaxed so much in places I didn't even know I was being held in.
That's how I feel now emotionally. A large portion of some stress I've been living with for a long time has ended, and I feel myself relaxing, "plumping out", releasing and seeing the world differently. It is a soft, gentle, nurturing feeling.
Thank you, everyone, for your support on my last post. Thank you for reading, for being there, for seeing, for commenting.
~Orchid photos by LoveHubbie Mark, edited by me
17 comments:
You got through to the other side O and have developed amazing strength along the way. Yes, something to be grateful for!
I hope Love Hubbie's condition improves soon.
It's wonderful, that feeling you describe as 'plumping out'. Enjoy the peace that it brings.
xx
I'm glad to hear the good news about your colonoscopy and I truly hope that LH is able to begin his path to wellness soon. You're an amazing lady dear O.
Welcome home, glad you were able to attend the wedding and share in the joy of it. Releasing and relaxing after the garments came off must have felt so good too.
I'm happy your test went well!
It must be hard to see LH go through such difficulty now. I hope his medical issues are able to be diagnosed and treated quickly, but thoroughly, and that he is able to follow whatever plan is best for his overall well-being. All you can really do is be loving and supportive but also take care of YOU!! I think that you being able to feel so much JOY in the midst of such activity and change is a wonderful thing. Keep going!!
Good thoughts for you and yours! xo
Olivia, I am so glad you had good news from the biopsy, I know how scary that can be, sigh of relief.
Sorry to hear about your husband. I hope everything turns out for him and that he is feeling better soon. Your comment yesterday touched my heart. I so understand what you said. I will respond on my post too. Wishing you all the best, sending love your way.
thanks for sharing the joy! have a great weekend.
I have been short on Blogland time this past week and hadn't seen all that you have been going through, Lovely One. I am glad that you bravely faced your own procedures and have that relief to help you through the other challenges ahead. That you are looking for the joy in spite or maybe even because of the rest of the circumstances around you, is a remarkable and beautiful thing.
Love, light and healing energy to you and Love Hubbie.
Glad to know you've come through your difficulty and can decompress now.
:-)
what a wonderful thought to start each day thinking of joy.... talk about a prescription to aid all that life throws at us.
hugs
I've been thinking about you so much. There is a part of me that wants to jump up and down and cheer - "you made it through, you made it through!"
Weddings are grand!!! Just celebrated one last weekend!!! so glad your colonoscopy went well! Cathy
Hi Olivia~ Thank you for sharing your Joy and reminding me that the "gratitude attutude" does lead us to Joy! You faced everything with poise and grace and now off comes the corset (mine has 22 hooks!!). Your hubby and you rec'd clean bills of health! And those orchids could have been hand-painted! I know you're happy, and you've made me happy! Love!
I wish you peace my dear and a sense of inner direction and divine guidance. I am sorry that things have been so difficult for you and I am glad that you and your family are on the other side of it and filled with the courage and conviction that life offers hope and friendship which it does.
xoxox,
Noelle
Thank you everyone for the love and support; I drank it in an needed it! I am going to be enjoying this weekend and taking pictures to share...I am alone for the 4th of July and am looking forward to the big long weekend ahead of me and how I can find beauty, joy, and do lots of self-care. Thank you all for everything, xoO
I always love to read your gratitude items Olivia. Sometimes I forget to relax, take a deep breath and just count the things I'm grateful for. I'm glad you had a nice time at the wedding. I am even happier that you got a clean bill of health. I'm set for my colonoscopy in August. I suppose I am slowing changing for the better because there was a time not too long ago when I would have gone over the handle bars thinking about that proceedure. But when I was sitting there talking to the nurse about the prep, I hated the thought but decided to put it aside until the time comes. I'm slowly coming around to the fact that this may be my year for dealing with colon issues, getting the surgery and healing so that I can have a healthier future in this area. It's all good!
olivia...i am seeing you arms full of flowers in the lap of peace. (no compression garments necessary!)
or maybe at a happy luau!
I am so relieved to hear they were cancer free! I have had to have this procedure done too and the prep is awful, isn't it? But you did it and it's done! So grateful. :)
BTW, I am so glad you enjoyed Better Off Ted! Isn't it hysterical? Portia de Rossi's autobiography is a fantastic (albeit a bit intense) summer read and I love seeing her on this show with her biting commentary. I hope you can get InSecurity where you are because it will make you laugh. The best medicine!
great gratitude list...and your analogy about your emotions to that of removing compression stockings....I think that's so profound.
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