Hi Everyone! I’m taking over Mark’s blog for Week #100, because this is a pretty big deal, and because I need to say thank you to Mark.
I will start by saying that 21 years ago when we first met, I knew I had met a very special person. Many of you have heard this story, but my lasting memory is that he made me laugh as he continues to do so today. Well, we started an incredible journey together ~ travel, marriage, home, family (bonus, turns out he’s an amazing dad!), but it wasn’t until life threw us this curveball that Mark’s true strengths were revealed. In this moment, 100 weeks into OUR battle with cancer, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for my life partner. He is strong, courageous, optimistic, and selfless. He works hard every day to protect me and Natalie, put his faith in his doctors, and do everything in his power to beat this. He selflessly uses his energy to support and inform others. Thank you Mark. I am so proud of you, and I am so proud to be your wife.
Silver Linings ~
Something very interesting happened when our world was turned upside down and we needed to take everything off of our calendar. It turns out we have time for family meals together every day. We’re basically available whenever someone wants to stop by or meet spontaneously. We drink coffee on the back porch and enjoy the garden. Wherever Mark goes, the pets follow him to keep an eye on him. Family and friends from all over have reached out to lend support. We are definitely not alone with this, and we have definitely been taking time to smell the roses.
For the Spouses ~
Here is some of the great advice I’ve received over the past 100 weeks…
Listen ~ they will let you know what kind of help they really need ~ thanks Eve 🙂
Encourage ~ regular exercise, even on the tough days ~ thanks Ken and Suzanne 🙂
Share ~ in things to look forward to ~ thanks Belinda 🙂
Remember ~ to secure your own oxygen mask. Take good care of you so you can take good care of others ~ thanks Liz 🙂
Choose ~ Optimism ~ thanks Mark 🙂
“I know this is my life now ~ to wrestle cancer every day with everything I’ve got. And as awful as it may have ever been for me with fears, uncertainty and pain, I have always held tight the idea that there’s still something good and special in every day. I just need to watch for it and not miss it. I look for even the littlest thing, every day, to confirm my positive thoughts and keep the negative ones in check.”
On that note, since our glasses are half-full(!), please join us as we toast to another 100 weeks! Thank you all for the visits, the cards, the music nights, the lunch dates, the bike rides, the love and support. We could not do this without you!
Life is Good ~ Mady
P.S. Please join us fore the bike ride 5.16.20 More on that next week 🙂
This is so inspiring
Thanks for the optimism you share with the world
Grazie mille ci vediamo a Lucca
Lola
Grazie cara, ~ non vedo l’ora!