Sunday, April 18, 2010

Spring, Birds and Joy

What a wonderful time of year. The sun is shining, the trees are budding and the birds are back! The two robins that made nests last year have reappeared. They are in the midst of making nests again in our yard. One has taken residence in our front tree again. And I have yet to discover where the other one is making its nest. We have yet to see the blue birds. Kendall's bird house is sitting in the same place the blue birds found it last year. But I am wondering if their visit was a one time event. They were once a symbol of God's love and faithfulness to us during a very difficult time. It somehow would be more meaningful if they did not return.

These last couple of days I have spent a lot of time on the deck under the gazebo. I am enjoying listening to the sounds of spring. The sounds are so much more beautiful to me. At this time last year I was just beginning my battle and was unable to sit and enjoy the change of seasons. However, I don't think I would have appreciated it back then as much as I do now. What a great feeling to know the hard stuff is behind me and that we can start moving forward. We are beginning to make plans again and talking a lot about this Summer. After the surgery on Wednesday, I will not have an MRI until the end of July and the next surgery will be done during a time of my choosing. I am thinking I will wait to fix my cheek bone and teeth until the end of Summer. It will be so nice to have a break and be free from worry for awhile.

This morning in church our Pastor talked about Joy and the importance of having Joy in our lives no matter what season of life we are in. He emphasized how important it was to have Joy even in the midst of trials and suffering. I know I lost my Joy in the middle of my battle. It was so hard to find it and get it back. It made things very difficult for me and my family. Joy is finally returning back to the Karrmann house. It is amazing to see our moods changing right before my eyes. The stress is leaving, the kids are carefree again and Jason and I are closer than ever. Joy does wonders...and I truly understand the power of Joy in our lives. It was a lesson I needed to learn and hope to live out when things get tough again in the future.

Surgery is on Wednesday at 1:30. My Plastic Surgeon will be repairing the hole left in my face from the mesh breaking through my skin. It will be an outpatient surgery so I should be going home that day unless there are complications. Please pray the surgery will be a success and that there will be no complications and minimal scarring. And pray for peace on the day of surgery.

Love to you all!
Sue

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

We will be thinking of you on Wednesday. It is so good to see you out and about. It is so wonderful to hear how more relaxed you are and how you are starting to enjoy life again. One of the biggest things I learned years ago with my cancer is to never allow a day to go by without knowing I am special and to be thankful for everything in my life. It is so good to see you seeing the joy and the wonder of our world. You are a blessing to all of us Sue.

Susan Thomas

Anonymous said...

Sue, we are really happy to hear your recent good news. And we are so thankful for your blog because it is giving us hope now that we face cancer in our own family. On the very day that you posted that you are cancer-free, my dad was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus. He starts chemo on Tuesday and then radiation sometime soon thereafter. We are lifting him up to the Lord and recalling your spirit of perseverance and endurance as you faced each new battle.

Jeff (and Cindi)

Elaine Beaumont said...

Sue, you are in my prayers each day and I am specifically praying for your surgery on Wednesday. Praying for no complications, comfort, healing and encouragement. I must tell you the encouragement you are to me. Just reading your blog, the Lord has shown me how small my trials are, there are so many like yourself going through such tribulations, it makes me realize how blessed I am to have my health. Everything else seems so unimportant. Praise the Lord!! Thank you Jesus!! And, thank you Sue for opening my eyes!!