Today Michellie's great, great grandfather from Hungary, Joseph Matiz, would have been 114 years old. He was an incredible force of energy that beat many odds and survived being imprisoned in Russia during the second world war and rode under a train for 3 days to escape back to his beloved. He worked the mines in Lethbridge when he first came to Canada, and was determined to see the light of day everyday. Eventually he saved enough money to buy an orchard in Oliver to begin a better life. Michellie has strong genes from this lineage, as well as others that make up her cell structure. It is nice to honor his memory today.
Yesterday was Oprah's last show, and she dedicated the last hour to her viewers to guide them to do more to be their authentic selves, to pursue the best that they could be, and to honor themselves for their achievements and successes. In the morning as I was waiting for Michellie to come down for breakfast I started to think about when people ask "Where were you when Oprah finished her show?". I can remember where I was when Elvis died, I can remember where I was when the twin towers went down, and the thousands of innocent people parished. I can remember where I was when Princess Diana married Prince Charles, and now I know where we were last month when Prince William married Princess Kate. Michellie can remember this last one, as she was asleep in bed. So, where would she be for Oprah - in our living room. That is not exciting enough for her final message. So, I spent the morning creating a tapas menu (thanks Sharon - we used your recipes - all Gluten free), and I picked up champagne. I invited the Rankin family over, and we had a big party. Both Michellie and MacKenzie were there to hear her final message, and hopefully, to reflect on it throughout their choices in life. So, we were in our living room, but we were having a big party together and it was great.
We have been joking this week about all the crazy, yet wonderful things, that I do as a mother - that other mothers might not do. I like fruit salad for my birthday, not cake; I don't drink coffee or chew gum; I like to go on adventures; everything is a celebration; I love Tai Chi and sunsets on the beach; and, I make my own parties and enjoy them when I know the time is right. As we were watching Oprah, I was enjoying my children and reflecting on these ideas. I hope that Michellie and MacKenzie remember to honor their passions the same way. I hope that they will remember to celebrate when they know the time is right. I hope that they remember to reflect and honor each day for its beauty. (I hope that they learn how to do all the dishes and put away the food on the counter too - oh, that must just come with age).
Michellie loves to laugh when I cry. She enjoys getting the Kleenex box to pass to me for my tears, and she giggles as "my eyes leak". It used to bother me that she would giggle, but I know her turn is coming, and soon her eyes will "leak" too. I am glad that she shares these moments with me, and that she can understand the things I love, and how I feel about others and opportunities. I love a pot of tea on the coffee table to indulge in for an evening of great show watching. We have that in common. She enjoys the fruity teas (but green tea) and "Evening Jazz" is a favorite.
As the season for shows is winding up, I was reflecting on what that means to this journey. We had a complete schedule figured out for our hospital stays. These shows were our anchor of laughter and sharing on the really hard days of chemo. Some of the shows will be returning in the fall, and some will not. The laughter of The Middle and Modern Family were a huge part of letting go on Wednesday nights. Grey's Anatomy and the Big Bang Theory were our anchors for Thursday night. Michellie has watched every ER she could get her hands on, and all the episodes of Heartland. She loves getting into the characters and how people react. (Hence the watching of my tears over different shows). Off the Map won't be returning in the fall, Michellie was enjoying the new medical knowledge from this and the characters in the tropics. And, Oprah won't be the 3 o'clock anchor for the afternoon lulls, or the after school time slot. Perhaps the laughter from Ellen will take its place. Ellen really provided us with some great laughter on several occasions. We even saved one episode because we laughed so hard we both cried. As the shows finish for the season, it is our sign to get up and get moving more. Get outside and enjoy this beautiful countryside. It is her time to let go of just healing and to really begin living again.
Michellie is thinking about working, and hopes to have enough energy to get a summer job. She would really like to be building her bank account, and be busy across the summer. It will be interesting to see what comes her way, or what she pursues. They made resumes in Foods class this week, and she said hers was a small one, but that she would be tweaking it for dropping off. Way to go Michellie. We look forward to seeing the energy build and the stamina to take on a summer job.
Michellie will be using the healing bracelets as her final assignment for art class. We are very excited to put the labyrinth together and do some photography work. Thank you to all those people who have already sent their bracelet in, and the stories that have accompanied them.
It is now 8 am and Michellie will be up to get to school before the bell - Yeah! The diggers are in the front yard creating our new septic field, the workers on on the front of the house shoring up the footings so they can create our new deck. There are beeps and bangs and screeches everwhere. Missy and Hunter are busy trying to keep on top of it all. Hunter hides and Missy cries to get outside to check it all out. Their names should be reversed!
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