ANNIVERSARIES are usually times of celebration …but sometimes they are times that occur when the calendar simply goes one full year, and it is time to remember what happened on a particular day last year – when life events become a cause for remembering. The latter is the anniversary I managed and remembered through today as it was one year ago today that my second daughter, Sara, escaped the breast cancer that she had been dealing with for the past 5 years and transitioned into peace free from her daily pain.

The day, in many ways, was as expected – as I had planned “things to do” that would keep my mind occupied with constructive activities. I am grateful for the pleasant things experienced almost from the minute I woke up this morning.

An early morning text from my brother, who lives in Houston, TX provided me and my other siblings an update on his “medical condition.” He had gone into the doctor on Friday due to a severe earache/infection. The first thing done nowadays is to give patients a rapid result covid test. He came up positive. So, Friday, he not only felt bad, but he was also “ticked off” as it meant he, his wife and three adult children who all happened to be home for Mother’s Day all had to quarantine in their home until results from a “regular” covid test (which he was given before leaving the doctor’s office) could be analyzed and returned to his doctor. The doctor told him he could actually BE positive, or it could be a false positive since colds are part of the coronavirus strain as well. Either way – they spent the weekend at home. This morning – his “normal” covid test came back negative. We were all very relieved.

One of Sara’s close friends from high school was in town so she had reached out to me to meet for lunch. I was so grateful, as she and Sara had kept in touch since high school, during college (she attended a college not far from where Sara attended in the Los Angeles area), their children had met and played together, and I knew they had remained close even as their lives took different paths. I always felt like I knew Sara’s friends myself because Sara talked about them, kept up with their lives and loved to tell me what they were now doing. Sara kept in contact with her many friends, no matter where they were currently living – she enjoyed keeping those connections. Her friends meant a great deal to her and she cherished them all. As a result, I honor that part of Sara as her friends reach out to me in different ways – whether text, call, message, email or voice. I enjoy those connections. They are important. I still connect with people who were friends of our family growing up, friends of my parents who have both passed away. Thank goodness for social media! Love it! It makes the world smaller.

Talking with Renee today and meeting her two adorable children, I felt the history among the four of us and felt Sara encircling us. As we talked through lunch, I felt and saw the future unfolding with the energy of shared stories and plans for times ahead. I had a few tears, but I found them oddly comforting as I felt the arms of Sara holding us with familiarity, peace and a calmness that connected us with threads of friendship not only from sharing memories but now also from sharing each of our plans for the future. Renee and her family are in the middle of moving their home and their employment; the ever so cute children eagerly told me about the school year that just ended for them and made sure I knew they were both going into a higher grade when they got to where they were moving. I am so incredibly grateful for the smiles that lunch date brought to our table and the renewed and strengthened friendship it created. Happy and comforting tears are okay. I count them double.

I came home, finished my taxes, and clicked “send.” Another activity that had served its purpose of keeping my mind occupied – constructively – during this anniversary time. I then called my other two daughters. I wanted to hear they had made it through the day and were okay. They did and were, but it felt good to have that acknowledged by hearing it in their voices.

Today was okay and even good in many ways. The anniversary is just what it is – a date to be remembered – always – but also a date to honor and be grateful for the people who provide support and love when it is most needed, without being asked. A date to remember the importance of connections and their importance to us and to our communities as those are what brought us to where we now are and sustain us for tomorrow. Tomorrow is a new day – yet to unfold. We have a choice what we do with tomorrow…always we have a choice. Tomorrows are good. 😊

Inspire – Create – Connect!