Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Crossing the Finish Line!




So I've been in the weird holding pattern for months now...on some level for three years, since Scott was first diagnosed with cancer.  How many times have I put something off "until Scott gets better"...a lot!  Not my chores, my day to day parenting, travel, or having a good laugh.  It's my inner self... I have so many things I want to do... so many dreams tugging at my heart.  It's like they've been in incubation...and it's time they came out.  

We all know we can fill our day with nonsense.  My brain has indeed felt foggy and groggy, and I've found it increasingly easy to waste time.  Don't get me wrong...I think I've been doing exactly what I've been called to do...stand by Scott's side during the past 9 months or so.  It's been great and very fulfilling.  But I've come to recognize that I've begun to look to him for my affirmation, my self-worth, my "okayness."  No one needs that kind of pressure!  No human being can give you those things anyway.  They should come from the inside, from our creator.  If Scott was having an 'off' day, I had an 'off' day.  If he was happy, I was happy.  If he was sad, I was sad. This was a strange phenomenon, one I've never experienced before.  I find I can't just let him "be" which is exactly what he needs to "do".  He shouldn't feel like he has to perform for me, or do anything specific because I'm acting so needy, so weird.  We have always been 2 really separate people.  Our day to day lives couldn't be more different.  There is no criss-cross from 6am-6pm, other than a quick phone call or text.  Now we are criss-crossing all the time.  

As I'm typing this I realize it's making NO SENSE, but maybe you can glean some sort of understanding of what I'm trying to say.

Today is Scott's last radiation treatment...an even 50.  He is very worn out, and dealing with some side-effects, but overall doing well.  Throughout the summer, he will have blood-work done, but no more trips to the clinic.  We go back in September for scans, x-rays, tests, and drumroll...results.  In December he can go off all the medicine...that will be the best present of all!

So here's the deal... I have chosen this summer to really get back in touch with 'me'... trust me when I tell you Scott will be relived when I quit trying to read his every thought, feeling, and emotion.  I am going to try and get some results with the hours in my day... take some action steps to achieve some of my goals and stop wasting time.  So in the spirit of accountability, I'm going to put out there some of the things I will do, hope to do, and dream to do.  I feel like if one person reads these things, I am honor bound to achieve them... that's just how I am...
so here's the list:

I am taking Soul Restoration II online (Brave Girls Club) in June.  It's a class about moving forward and getting in touch with your dreams and goals.  Not in a weird new-age way but in a personal "listening to your heart" kind of way.

I am taking an online writing class.  I really want to write, but I am not motivated.  If someone gives me an assignment though, I will complete it or die trying.  Some of you remember I wrote a novel in November, 2009.  I accomplished the 50,000 word requirement, but the novel is so poorly written, even I can't read it through.  For this reason, the online class I have chosen is Beginning Writing.  I want to start at the beginning and get a good foundation and see where it takes me.

I am not artistic, but I want to "do" art.  Don't ask me what this means.  I'm not sure yet.  

I want to have fun times with my grandkids swimming, beaching, and having Leila over for sleepovers so we can cook and do crafts and snuggle down for Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty.  My daughter is jumping for joy right now... I've been so busy lately!  

I want to hang with my youngest that's still home.  Lexi and I have a blast together.  We will also beach it, lay out by the pool, and Lexi's favorite... go shopping.

I want to start homemaking again. I want to update my home, and create some special areas.  One of the first will be my sitting room, a tiny room connected to my bedroom.  Right now it has an UNUSED treadmill, an armoire full of junk, a huge dresser, and a Barbie tent.  I am going to clean it out, get some comfy chairs and ottomans, a cute sidetable, a chandelier, a tabletop fountain, and some bookshelves.  It's going to be our new Book Nook.  Scott is super excited.  He loves to sit in the quiet and read.  

I want to meet with the Lord (not the computer) everyday...  

I want to eat better, lose 5 pounds, and get about 15 simple, healthy go-to meals under my belt that we all like.  Right now our favorite word is "takeout"... that has got to stop.

As you can see... this is quite an ambitious list.  I will be hard pressed to achieve it all.  Once I take SR II, I might tweak some of these.  But did you notice something???  Three things are missing.  Blogging, Facebooking, and YouTubing.  I LOVE all three of these things, but I'm considering a summer break.  I will not take down or delete my blog.  I might, however, have to delete my Facebook... the temptation will be too great to sit and veg reading all the fabulous things others are doing rather than do them myself.  But if my oldest calls and says something awesome is online, I want the ability to go check.  Obviously I haven't thought this through.  It's a fluid decision!  FB has become my biggest time 
waster... that, I know for sure.  I will still be visiting some of your blogs. There are certain ones I need to read because they've come to mean so much to me.. and if you are interested, I will most definitely do a post in September with Scott's results...good or not so good.  As far as YouTube, I haven't decided.  It is really fun, but I'm not sure what my goals are there.  Do I need a goal?  Not sure...still thinking on that one.

Before I sign out for awhile, I wanted to once again thank you all so, so much for your good wishes, thoughts, comments, and prayers.  They really made a huge difference in our lives during this trying time.  Some of you email me occasionally and I look forward to continuing that.... reynolds9@mac.com.


So... since this blog is called GirlMeetsParis, I have to leave you with a little bit of France.  Here's a slideshow I made Scott...just to let him know how much I love him.  These photos are from Paris and Marseilles, over the past five years.  Hope you enjoy.  


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xb74aM6EtNA




Love you all,
~Teri


11 comments:

BonjourRomance said...

Bonjour Teri,
COngratulations for you both getting through the last treament. Will continue to keep Scott and you in my prayers. Good for you on all your dreams, go for it Teri. We're all cheering you on. We'll be missing you in Blgoland and I love your videos, you're a natural.
Will keep in touch this summer, and you and your family enjoy every minute together!
Mimi

Diane said...

Sweet friend,
I just viewed your slide show for Scott ... The words, the music, the photos -- they all intertwine so beautifully and capture the "heart" of your love for each another. I'm without words -- tears are present. Lovely.

Love,
Diane

TeriGigi/Girl Meets Paris said...

Mimi... I may still do videos on You Tube. If you go on there under subscribe, there's a button you can select to get an email each time I post a video. That way you don't have to check back, you'll know if I have or have not posted. You Tubes are so much easier than blogging, so I might do them once a week or so. Thanks for your sweet comment :)

Jenny said...

Oh, Teri. I am glad he is done and am praying for y'all's "re-charging" summer. Do take it easy, because it does appear as if you have a healthy sized list (but it does sound adventuresome and fun). As you can tell I have been on a blogging time-out (somewhat computerless too) but we are in the midst of getting ready for a family vay-cay to North Carolina and then I want to get back to blogging a bit. I will miss your presence by blog but I am glad to know you, honored to pray for y'all and hope to keep in touch. Stop by my blog when you can (hope you got the email about Adele-heehee, thanks so much AGAIN) and if you can do post on how Scott and y'all are doing after the summer. Blessings and love to you and yours.

TeriGigi/Girl Meets Paris said...

Jenny... of course I'll keep in touch with you... you are one of my peeps!
Have a wonderful vacation. If you blog, shoot me an email so I don't miss it :)

I did get the email about Adele... so glad you liked it.

Priscilla said...

My heart sings for your decision to live more, now.
My life ended after the last treatment. Yours can continue. Somehow I have continued - not the way I pictured it, but the way God planned it. I'm content, I'm grateful for this life and for the first one. They are two lives, but the same one.
I will continue to pray for you and your family.

LuLu said...

Wishing you all the best in all your goals! Wsihing you a renewed spirit and most of all a life full of peace, love and many blessings,
xo,
LuLu

A Tale of Two Cities said...

Just read your blog and watched your video, and here I am all sad at the thought of not hearing from you by blog in the months to come. At the same time, I respect you so much for taking a break to focus on what really matters in life. The love and admiration that you and Scott share for each other shine in your video and in your tributes to him. May he enjoy some rest this summer from the treatments, and may he hear some encouraging news soon. Please stay in touch--I'll miss you, your video chats and your laughter. God bless your days of enrichment.
Love,
Debi

Francine said...

Teri, I truly love your blogs and look forward to them so, of course, I will miss you terribly. You give me so much inspiration and I am so impressed with how you and Scott have handled his treatments. I understand what you are doing and wish I had the same strength...I'm trying. Thank you for all that you have shared, I'll look forward to hearing how you are doing with your goals. Best of luck-see you on utube!

Ruthie said...

Teri,
When faced with what you and Scott have been faced with, it's awesome to take stock of your life and ask yourself what's most important. Sounds like you're off on a new path. We'll all be cheering you on! As much as i love blogging (and I've only been at it for a short time), it can be consuming. And not in always in a good way.
I love you, blogging friend! Give Scott a hug for me and I'm looking forward to good news in September!
Ruthie

Ruthie said...
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