Thread: When life gives you lemons .....

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Stopping by to say hello to my forum friends. Hope you are happy, healthy and havin' fun building props for the season. I'm seeing some really spectacular work being posted. I may be quiet lately, but I'm watching you!!!!! I know I've been pretty in and out for the past several months but it's just been one thing after another lately. It looks like we have at least one more hurdle to jump over.

My husband had some medical tests done this week and the outcomes were not good. We find ourselves preparing for a unexpected surgery on Wednesday (our grandson's 3rd birthday). The doctor will be removing a portion of my hubby's colon and doing a resection. It looks like we have been fortunate to catch things in time; the doctor thinks the situation is still pre-cancerous. Anyway, it's been a bit of a rocky road lately.

Just when we needed encouragement a really great e-mail showed up. I thought I would share it with you because it is full of so many good lessons about life. I hope you enjoy these thoughts about life. Some are funny and some hit home. Enjoy and pass it on to others. I've missed interacting with you and can't wait for things to settle down a bit. Hugs, MT


Written by: Regina Brett, 90-year old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I’ve ever written" My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step
3. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick: your friends and parents will. Stay in touch
4. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone
5. Pay off your credit cards every month
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone
8. It's okay to get angry with God. He can take it
9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry god never blinks
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special
22. Over prepare, and then go with the flow
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple
24. The most important sex organ is the brain
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you
26. Frame every so called disaster with these words " in five years, will this matter?"
27. Always choose life
28. Forgive everyone everything
29. What other people think of you is none of your business
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does
33. Believe in miracles
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now
36. Growing old beats the alternative- -dying young
37. Your children get only one childhood
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need
42. The best is yet to come
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up
44. Yield
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift

Hope all goes well for you and your hubby. Will keep you both in my thoughts. Great life lessons!

I'm really sorry to hear about your difficulties, Mme. Turlock. I'll tell you one thing, though, of all of the surgical patients I've seen, the ones that do the best have a good family support system and a positive outlook. So, even when it's hardest, try to find the positive in any given situation. I know it may seem trite, but things become that way because they are true.

In your most trying of days, I pray that whatever higher power you believe in holds you in the palm of their hand.

MT - best thoughts for your hubby, yourself and the rest of your family. I'm hoping they did indeed catch ANYTHING early - it's a shame your husband has to go through this, but it will all be worth it, right?

Thank you for posting that list for us...I can see why you like it.
There are a few in there I remember all the time, some only some of the time, and a number I have heard and forgotten, but really should remember.

I'm keeping close in thought and prayer MT,!
Great list, I needed to hear/read that too!

You know Im still praying for ya girl!! Oh and hubby too of course

Best wishes for a successful surgery and a quick recovery for your husband.
And yeah, we all know that even if you arent here, your eye sees it all

Keep the positive attitude and hang tough!

MsM

Thank you all for your support and best wishes. Did I mention my husband is an only child who was raised by a single mother who was a nurse (not to mention a saint). Boy do I have big shoes to fill when it comes to post-surgery caregiving (giggle). It's a good thing I inherited the courage and tenacity of my Scots-Irish heritage! Ironically, my hubby blew of the routine colonoscopy that was scheduled last year because he didn't want to miss out on the BBQ and birthday cake at our grandson's second birthday party. So now he will be on the operating table on his third birthday. I guess we should all pay attention to that lesson.

Nice to hear from you, Madame. Good advice.

Hoping for the best for you and hubby.

Hope everything goes well for your hubby MT.