Grace is Waiting

Round 1 – Day 9

I’m officially on the journey “leaving normal.” I think being nine days into my chemo and facing my first infusion counts as that. It’s been a fairly smooth start, but I can’t help looking in the rearview mirror at what I’m leaving behind: things like privacy, a certain amount of freedom, consistently feeling good, normal energy and yes, eventually, my hair!

But there’s more than just what I’m leaving, it’s also about what’s left. Ordinary everyday things are now altered. I will never do laundry the same because now I’m grateful, just to be able to do it. Dishes are now a task to look forward to, and exercise is a huge accomplishment. Going to work is a privilege and a blessing, more than it ever was. A cup of coffee tastes richer and laughter is more genuine. Friends are now dearer and hugs are sweeter. In fact, many ordinary, average everyday things, some of which used to go unnoticed, are now precious to me.

Nothing is the same once cancer touches your life. It takes away your normal, but it’s not all bad - at least not in my case.

I guess some of us have to leave normal, in order see “grace” more clearly and to embrace it more fully. I will be looking for it and letting you know when I find it on this journey.

Somewhere outside of normal, grace is waiting to be discovered, embraced, breathed in . . .

I don’t want to miss the grace.