Let's first get the boring stuff out of the way - I have to (once again) have a minor procedure on one of the tumors in my body. Same one I had on the shoulder and the hip - stereotactic radiosurgery - this time for a tumor on my spine, located at what they call T7 (or the 7th vertebrae in the thoracic region). T7 (I'm starting to think I'm a cyborg) is not really bothering me in any way, but it IS the only tumor left that is growing (i.e. not stable) so the onc felt it would be best to just eliminate it rather than wait for it to cause pain. This way we can stick with my current medications which are doing their job for the most part in keeping the cancer at bay. It is expected that everything will go as the others have gone - fairly quick recovery, minimal pain, positive result afterward. I already had the simulation (preparatory scans) done last Tuesday (and am the proud owner of 3 more "locator tattoos") so I'm all ready to have it done this Tuesday. Take that T7!!
Now onto the good stuff - we finally had Girls' Weekend! Our destination this time was Austin, TX and although we were missing a couple of folks (Mary Cannon and Patti B.) we had a terrific time in a city that surprised us a little bit. It was definitely more "hippies and hipsters" than "cowboys and country music" but for sure a fun atmosphere. Got a little bit of history, a little bit of nightlife, and of course the enjoyment of a rooftop bar or two! It was juuust a bit colder than we had expected but certainly not enough to stop us from having cocktails at an outside venue our last night in town.
Perhaps the best part of Girls' Weekend (and I know I've said this before so forgive my redundancy) is that I really get time to catch up on the important details in my friends' lives. Oh, I usually know overall what is going on (thank you Facebook!) but it is far better to hear their voices, see their eyes, watch their reactions as we discuss our work, our families, our concerns and our joys. It is much more gratifying when we laugh together and although I am not much of a hugger...a hug from one of these ladies is always a welcome experience. Being with them is an escape TO something rather than an escape FROM something for me. They laugh at my funny jokes and roll their eyes at my not-so-funny jokes (and believe there are way more of the latter!) and really HEAR me when I have something significant to say (which admittedly is not often but hey...it does happen once in awhile). They overlook my flaws (or, on occasion when necessary, call me out on them) and embrace my quirks without judgment. They are kindness and light and compassion and joy and I am fortunate to call them my friends. So I will once again send a shout out to Mary, Patty, Jackie, Elisa, Mary C. and Patti for bringing all that into my life.
It was colder in Austin than expected, and warmer in Iceland than expected - how about that?? Our annual mother-daughter trip included Taryn's dad Chris this time around as she wanted a vacation with just her, Mommy and Daddy (those childhood trips to Disney were a long time ago!). Iceland turned out to be a really unique and amazing country - lots of glacier fields, lava beds, geothermal springs and Viking history. We spent most of our time in Reykjavik, but did take a tour of the Golden Circle (where we saw Gullfoss waterfall, the Geysir springs and Thingvellir National Park), and on our first day enjoyed the most wonderful time in the Blue Lagoon - 30 degrees outside but 100 degrees in the pool where the silica mud mask made my face feel so soft for the next several days. The waterfront was spectacular, the nightlife included lots of live music (and Einstock beer!), and we found plenty of American style food to eat for us picky eaters, although we couldn't find a McDonald's (Taryn and I try to go to a McDonald's once in every country we visit). And although Chris did pick up a nasty cold, he was a trouper throughout, visiting museums and braving the cold to walk the city.
The one thing we missed was the Northern Lights - it was just too overcast the whole time we were there. It was a great disappointment to Taryn, who has heard me speak many times of how in my first year of college at Oswego I unexpectedly got to experience the magical, stunning display of the Aurora Borealis. She chose Iceland specifically for that reason, wanting to share in having that feeling of watching God fingerpaint in the sky. And I so much wanted to see her face watch those lights dance, wanted the 3 of us to have this particular shared experience, wanted my own heart to pound like it did those 40 years ago. Don't get me wrong, we LOVED Iceland and are so grateful for all we did get to see. But don't be surprised if someday we go chasing those Northern Lights again somewhere else (we're told Alaska may be the way to go!).
One last thing to share - as many of you know, my stepson Ian is getting married this summer to his fiancée Chelsea. They have done me the honor of requesting that I officiate at their wedding and so I am now an ordained minister at the Universal Life Church. I am blessed to have these 2 in my life and so grateful for the opportunity to bring them together in marriage!
Blessings and Love to All.
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