I don’t go to fireworks on the fourth of July.
They’ve always come to me.
Over the years, by some awful coincidence, Independence Day is when my mother died; my father died; my husband and I told our kids we were separating and he was moving out; and I got my cancer diagnosis.
Enough negative karma for a lifetime.
But hey, I live in California.
Plus I’m the feisty type.
So a few years ago, I decided to kick-start my karma—-by putting some positive in the mix.
I decided to intervene with the universe—and declare my independence on Independence Day.
Now, instead of negative, I nourish.
Instead of crying, I celebrate—that I’ve survived all of it.
When I reached 10 years of cancer survivial, I had a party to celebrate—these are some of the party favors–
I wear the aprons every day– in my kitchen and my mosaic studio—of course the one in the studio gets far more use.
The following year my friend Myra held an amazing dinner party for me. And though I didn’t uphold her tradition every year, I always figure out something to help me appreciate the approaching weekend, not dread it.
This year—2010 —I can celebrate the second birthday of my blog…. 15 years past cancer…..and a new project (more soon). So it’s easy to celebrate Independence Day–and my independence.
….. I’m still steering clear of fireworks.
You have to agree that in losing our parents we gained independence, even though we would have preferred having the connection and deferring that last measure of independence. It’s funny–I separated in June, but for a long time celebrated Cinco de Mayo as my personal Independence Day. Not having had cancer (knock-wood, throw salt, etc.), I can’t spin that one into independence–maybe someone who has survived it can do that? At any rate, congratulations on your hard-won independence. I think that merits a double ice cream cone to celebrate–or have you gained your independence from ice cream, too?! XOXO
Have to agree—independence is good for us whether we like it or not. Even independence from ice cream—at least, sometimes. Not today on the Fourth of July. And for me, probably not in this lifetime.
What a wonderful suvival story. That’s worth celebrating in itself. Hope you had a great 4th!
Thank u. Wasn’t much of a celebration but then again, for me— a great July 4th is that I wake up on July 5th.