Chillin With Lemons

Scott, Me, Mike and Ellen

How’s the old saying go? “When life gives you lemons, then make lemonade.” (or a Tom Collins 😀). If you have made it this far in life without the “C” word affecting you, or a family member, then you are certainly blessed. Both Scott and I have had cancer hit us pretty early in life. We had to make the conscious decision to make a “Tom Collins” out of our situation. Getting older can also be tough, and as we age we often must deal with stuff...crap...shinola that we never dreamed would effect us. This past year has been a crazy roller coaster ride for me personally. Scott just finished six rounds of chemo, my older brother, Mike, has recently been diagnosed with cancer and now my ninety year old mom has been in the hospital with various health issues.

Chemotherapy

WOW!!! How do I chill with all this crap that wants to hijack my mind and ruin my vibes? Throughout his chemotherapy, Scott and I have enjoyed cooking together, relaxing on the porch with a glass of wine, spending time with our kiddos, going for rides in the convertible and listening to a lot of our favorite music. Spending extra time with family and friends has also been important to help me enjoy life and relax when I can. Sometimes Mike, and his wife Ellen, will join us for dinner and to just sit and talk. All my siblings have been taking turns spending the night with our mom, cooking her dinner, playing music and just talking with her as well. What does all this activity have in common? If you answered food, fun, fellowship and love you’d be correct. A very wise person once stated that “a joyful heart is good medicine” and I have to wholeheartedly agree.

Oldest brother Dannie & Mom

Keeping this joyful state of being during such difficult circumstances can certainly be challenging, but what’s the alternative? To become angry, bitter and even depressed? Not a chance! That negative vibe is never gonna win with me.

You can let life beat you down, or you can choose to get tough and find the “eye of the tiger”. I hope that you will choose to become a real world Rocky Balboa when the world serves you lemons. Life can certainly be mean and ugly, but how we respond to it, handle it, is up to us. The harsh reality is that hard times will hit everyone at some point in our lives. Are you a “cup half empty”, or a “cup half full” person? I have to answer that question for my self almost daily, and my response is always the same; “my cup runneth over”. Each day find the good in this world and count the blessings in your life. Make gratitude your default attitude and hold on to it with everything you have.

Remember what the great philosopher Rafiki from the movie The Lion King so eloquently said as he popped Simba on the head. Simba quickly asked “what was that for?” Do you remember Rafiki’s reply? He said, “it doesn't matter, it's in the past.” We certainly can learn from the past, but it isn’t wise to dwell on the negative stuff that we should put behind us. We can't change the past, we don’t know the future, so live in the present. Be present. Be VERY present. Be engaged with those around you when given the gift to spend time with others. Time marches onward, so I hope that you will spend more time chillin on the porch with family and friends.

Eat...Drink...Love...Be Merry