March 26, 2021 – Graduation Day

SHE DID IT!

After six LONG weeks, my mother graduated from her first phase of treatment! #IWillTakeThisWin

The staff at the center were all so warm, welcoming, kind, and just down right AWESOME! In true me fashion, I had to do something special for them. Not quite Oprah, “You get a car! You get a car!” But it was the best way I know to bring joy to a group of people…Fannie May! I boxed up some mint meltaways and pixies for the radiologist (kindest Doc ever), and then the team of people that took the load off of this scary journey. I wasn’t able to go in, but my mom happily delivered the joy to the team and let‘s just say…yeah, there were tears. I welcome these tears, though, because they were those of joy, love, and happiness! #PraiseGod

I couldn’t do for the team and not the one who had to put on her big girl panties every day and walk inside there like the warrior she is…mom got her box of pixies too. And while she gave the, “ohhh, nooo,” it was said with the meaning of “I have been doing good eating and you go and sit my biggest weakness in front of my face and I don’t have to share…how dare you!” Haha! YEP! She deserves it! #WarriorsGetWhateverTheHellTheyWant

Next phase is the 4 week break. Good! Cuz everyone can use it! Then, there will be an MRI and chemo sprints. It will be 5 days of higher dose chemo and then 3 weeks of nothing. Rinse and repeat. I have no preconceived thoughts for how this will go. My mom has proven that she can take it…no matter what. We have God helping in this fight, so when the time comes…LEGGO! #AintNoFightTooBig

So, for right now, I am going to continue to praise Him as He brought us all through this journey with only minor scrapes and bruises. I have no doubt in my mind that the continued journey will be the same. AND, if it isn’t, He’s got us! #CoveredByTheManUpstairs #Grace #Mercy

Now, let me go treat my dog on self to a pixie! #Yep! #IGotSomeToo

March 22, 2021 – Time Flies

Well, it’s almost that time…time to close the chapter on a segment of my life and begin a new one.

For starters, Happy Birthday to my dad! He doesn’t celebrate his birthday, nor does he want anyone else to. So, the least I can do is wish him well!

Today is the last Monday my mom will go to her “spa.” Ever since one joke before radiation started, these radiation days were dubbed “spa” days. My mom is 5 weeks and 1 day into a 6 week chemo and radiation regimen. She has taken each day like the warrior she is and on Friday, she is done with part 1 of the treatment plan.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for carrying us during this time. Thank you for you strength, support, consistency, and most importantly, your love! It is because of you I was able to support my mom in every way I could and she was able to get up each day to fight for what You said is hers. Please continue to keep us as we enter part 2 of treatment. The road won’t be an easy one, but with You, it will be one we get through.
Amen

I just had to take some time to give honor and glory to the One who made today, and every other day for that matter, possible!

Today has a different look and feel to it. The sun is shining a little brighter. I am looking forward to what’s next. I have a feeling nothing, but good things are in store!

#Leggo

March 15, 2021 – Day 1

Today was my first day of work after a year and 3 months hiatus!

It didn’t start off the way I imagined. I ended up getting COVID tested. I had to make sure I was good to go in this last leg of my mom’s chemo and radiation. By God’s grace, the result was negative! Ok, now I can be less anxious each day being in the car with my mom. #Shfew

I started my first work day around noon. I had orientation with IT to give me the lay of the land. I met some of my new team and had some 1-1 time with my boss. There was A LOT of information shared. There’s work to be done, that’s for sure! Guess that’s why I’m here, huh?

If I’m being honest, it was all surreal still. I was running in autopilot most of the day, but I made it through.

Let’s see what this new chapter holds…

March 12, 2021 – The Subject of Hair

I ran a couple of errands yesterday. It was a beautiful day outside. The sun was shining and all you had to do was crack the window in the car and you were comfortable. #LoveThoseDays

During my journey, I came across a nice lady. She started off our conversation with a compliment…”Your hair is beautiful!” To which I replied, “Oh, thank you!” HA! You thought that was the end of the conversation!!!! She continued…”Now, did your hair come out like that or did you have to do something to get it to look like that?” #BuzzKill #ThisIsNoLongerACompliment #NowItsADiscussion #OrALesson

I politely responded, “I just wash, blow dry, and flat iron.” You thought the conversation was over…NOPE! She then says, “Now, I see that is all the craze with going natural. I think afros are so cute. Is that more work than an afro?” #Flatline With my polite face on…still…I responded, “Afros still take a lot of work too.” I couldn’t tell you what all she said after that, but I was happy the conversation had finally come to an end. #LessonOver

Ok…let’s discuss. I had an exchange with a nice lady today. True. Was she just curious? Sure. Did she mean any harm? Doubt it. So, then what’s the big deal? Well, it’s more than just the questions. Is my hair that much of an anomaly? Do you not see a lot of people who look like me? Are you surprised that my hair looks the way it does? Should it not? Why? And it isn’t always just the questions that get to me…it’s the look. It’s the look you’d give a unicorn if you saw one in person. After some time, you get sick of the look and of the feeling that you have to constantly explain parts of you that just are the way they are. #SuperFrustrating

I didn’t walk away angry…just a little shocked and annoyed. One day, I’d love the conversation to just stop after the compliment. #CulturallyAware

March 1, 2021 – #LifeChange

After almost 15 months, your girl has herself a job…JOB!

When I tell you God has been moving in my life, HE has been cleaning house and making room. I cannot tell you how many applications I have filled out and resumes I have submitted. I knew that one day I would work again, but it had been the furthest from my mind as of late…no surprise why.

I was contacted by a former mentor of mine, just to catch up on life. This was about 2 weeks ago. At the end of the conversation, she asked if I was interested in a job she was hiring for. #Uhhhhh…YES!! There was a shift in my life ever since that day. The world looked a little different. The wind hit me a little different. The sun shined a little brighter. My head hung a little higher. I guess you can say I had a change in my perspective as I had wrote off restarting my career because roles were scarce and the thought of focusing on my career seemed a bit selfish considering everything going on. #ButGod

After several conversations with my mentor turned boss, I was officially offered the position today. I accepted…emotionally…but accepted nonetheless. This acceptance was more than a job, more than a career re-start, more than a pay check. This felt life changing! I know that sounds crazy and don’t get me wrong, I am blessed even in the midst of my storms, but the light at the end of a dark tunnel could be seen today. #HeIsAlwaysRightOnTime

Today was a good day…no, a GREAT DAY! Time to prep so I can show them what I’m made of! March 15th is RIGHT around the corner!

#IGotThis #ThankYouJesus