Beginning Again

Life can be pretty crazy, can't it?!  One day things roll along smoothly and another it seems like everything that could go wrong, is going wrong.  Right now I feel very humbled.  I am blessed to have this life I am living.  It's not perfect and I have my share of ups and downs, but I can't imagine living a different one.  I just began nursing school a few weeks ago.  I already feel like I'm beginning to lose my mind, but I am so grateful for the opportunity.  I am surrounded by some wonderful people and the encouragement I have received has been amazing.  One small step closer to fulfilling my dreams.  Just taking a scenic route instead of the normal route!  :)

As the calendar now rolls through September, I am officially less than ONE MONTH away from my one year anniversary of donating bone marrow.  That means that I am closer than ever to getting the chance to meet my recipient!  I am beyond excited and praying everyday for the chance to meet someone who I'm referring to as my "sister."  I have a million questions and wonder what her life has been like the past year.  I feel like mine has had it's ups and downs, but she has been fighting for her life.  I pray she is doing great and getting a chance to enjoy things she once did before she became sick.

I made a scrapbook after donation last year.  I included pictures, journal entries, thoughts, and prayers.  I included a lot of encouragement that I received from many of you.  The words and prayers meant so much, I wanted to have something to look back on and remember.  I left the last page blank.  It's entitled "Let's Begin, Again."  It's blank because that's where the new chapter will start, once I meet this "sister" of mine who has my blood cells running around in her body!  I hope to fill the page with new memories and a new friendship that will grow out of what could have been viewed negative.  I mean, we don't normally have too many positive things to say about "cancer" do we?

Looking back through the scrapbook today, brought back a lot of memories.  It brought back smiles and also tears.  The sheer fact that I was even a donor is humbling.  I still wonder "why me?"  I mean anyone could do it, but yet for this girl I was chosen.  When I got to the last page, I stopped and prayed.  I am so excited about the potential meeting of my recipient!  But looking at that title reminded me that everyday we have the opportunity to "begin again."  We are blessed beyond measure with a God that loves us no matter what.  Sure, our life may not be all rainbows and butterflies, but what is on the inside?  How we choose to respond to our day-to-day life says a lot about us.  Are we over-comers or are we run-overs?  Will we push through the tough to see the good?

I pray that you will choose to "see the good" today.  Even if it seems like the worst possible day that you could ever have.  You could have hit all green lights on the way home, it could be free tan week (if you enjoy tanning!), it could be a pet running to greet you when you walk in, a free hot dog when you go grab a quick bite for dinner, or a phone call from your best friend halfway across the country.  Whatever it is, big or small, cherish it.  Smile, take a deep breath, and choose to begin again.