cancer
Welcome to the month of the stash. The month where guys pridefully grow facial hair... yes... pridefully.
Honestly, I can't lie- I'm a fan! I don't know how much a fan I am of the actual moustache... but I love people raising awareness and support for something that impacts many, and can shed light on something that many don't want to talk about.
My only complaint- is that I can't participate. I mean I can raise $$, I can support the guys in my life that are growing a fine furry friend... but I can't grow a stash of my own. And I know it's probably a good thing that I can't grow a moustache... I would probably look a little awaked... but it would be nice.
I remember having a conversation with my Dad when we found out he was diagnosed with cancer... I told him I would shave my head when he lost his hair... he looked at me, laughed, and said he'd rather I didn't. lol. I'm mean I see his point- me with a shaved head probably wouldn't look that great, but I was sad that my bros could, and here I was with hair wondering how I could support the my dad.
In January of this past year- we had a head shaving party for my dad and it was the first time I'd ever seen him without a head of hair... or a beard. It was the oddest moment in my life. But to be a support for my dad and my mom- just by simply being there was great. Being there to chat, going for coffees, being a sounding board and crying shoulder, or whatever I could be... It wasn't a shaved head, or growing a moustache but it was me being there for my dad.
So- regardless of what you can do, or grow- support the men that support the Mo!
Celebrating thankfulness, with cancer?
Here in Canada this past Monday we celebrated Thanksgiving- a time to reflect on al the blessings we have in life, both big and small. We celebrate with family, a big meal, and a day off! (I was extra thankful for the day off because I had assignments galore to do.)
On Thursday I also celebrated my dad's 61st birthday. 61 years of life lived- 27 of which I've been able to be a part of. I'm thankful for him in my life: the wisdom he has shared, the rock he is in my life, the epic facial hair he is known for, the love he has for his family, the faith he walks out on a daily basis.
This year I was especially thankful, as this year also marks the year my dad faced cancer head on. In 2011 he was diagnosed and started receiving treatment. It wasn't one of those "nice" cancers *(not that there are any nice ones)- it was one of those ones you wish on nobody; not a friend or foe.
This past year was where everything really happend- bone marrow transplants, a douce of treatment wiping out his entire imune system, his beard disappearing, and his slow steps to recovery. I honestly can't even begin to imagine what it was like for him, but I know for me - it was hard seeing my strong dad no longer physically strong. It was difficult trying to figure out how to help. It was painful wanting to fix something I couldn't. I didn't really talk about it much, because it seemed that the more I talked the more real it became. And the more it seemed people in my life were being affected by the c* word.
But spring came, and he was doing better. He wasn't able to do the normal farming routine *(but no one minded- he was still around). The boys took over seeding, spraying, and harvest was soon underway. I spent my time documenting it *(my IPP- which was inspired by this journey of my dad, and wanting to make sure we had life on out family farm captured.)
And then all of a sudden here we are. It's fall. It's a time to celebrate. It's a time to be thankful.
In the mids of this past year - I didn't think there was much to celebrate or be thankful for. I was certainly not thankful for cancer. Looking back though, I see how much I do have to be thankful for, and how even in the middle of the c* word I could rely on a faith in a God that is bigger than even these situations. That even in the bad of life He is walking along side.
I am thankful for my dad, for one more year with him in my life, for the potential year ahead. Yes.
I'll celebrate that.
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