It’s usually not a statement that ends in a question mark, but this is a different kind of anniversary. A year ago today, I heard those words “I don’t know how to tell you over the phone, but it came back positive for breast cancer”.  I’m not very good with remembering dates, but I have a feeling I will always remember that day, one year ago. I was teaching a class at work when I got the call. I remember talking to the Dr on the phone in the hall, hanging up & going back to teaching. Then there was another interruption from the nurse navigator who helped to set up a string of appointments to help determine my path. Back to teaching & back to work. I remember those things but I don’t remember how I told my husband, mom & dad or sisters. I had already gone into fight mode & was overwhelmed at the info coming at me. I do remember that I had to go to Dallas’ Christmas program that night & try to be “ok” for my kids. We would wait until we knew more before telling them. We wanted to give them info and not scare them with the unknown… although there would still be plenty of unknowns.

I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary today. This past weekend though, my husband Cameron and I snuck away to Vegas. It was a celebration of our 20 year wedding anniversary. 20 yrs ago, we honeymooned in Vegas and it only seemed fitting that we return. This time we went to the National Finals Rodeo “Tough enough to wear pink” night. We saw a show, had meals together & had some drinks. We walked about 30 miles in 3 days. We laughed so much that if laughter is the best medicine, then we cured a year’s worth of struggles. I realize we were just gone, but that was different… that was our whole family. Vegas was just us. We haven’t been there in 4 years & given the timing of the “new anniversary” it was great to get away together. The last year has been harder on Cameron than it might seem. This was my thank you to him. I wouldn’t be where I am without him.

Elf is our favorite movie. Especially Cameron. He knows almost every line to the movie. It’s a feel good movie and it’s a classic. He’s wanted to get an Elf costume and walk Vegas ever since we were there last. He had gotten the costume last year and wore it for Black Friday shopping. We took it to Vegas this past weekend. Although he didn’t stand still long enough to get tips or photos, he made a bunch of people smile. And isn’t that part of the Christmas season? Sharing smiles & making people feel good? We think so. We didn’t care how silly we looked because, one year ago, we had no idea where our journey would take us. The fact that we could walk around Vegas together is amazing & we are thankful for our journey. So, happy anniversary of two life changing events. I’m thankful & blessed. Peace be with you this Christmas season. May you make someone else smile.