| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| julia hayes |
Posted - Sep 28 2009 : 2:05:28 PM
It is all so good! 
We've had an incredible run for the past several months! Aria's counts have remained stable. She's fought off illnesses without having to spend any time in the hospital. She hasn't had to be admitted in almost 7 months! This is incredible. She is doing THAT well.
We had the most wonderful summer. We had a few bumps but nothing major. The stressors are all there. I won't lie to you. Every time she so much as gets a sniffle I'm sent into a strange kind of panic. There's also no getting around the fact that as much as we are transitioning back into what I call "the real world", we are still heavily involved with the cancer one. Next week she goes in for her spinal tap, monthly chemo injection and begins the whole cycle of steroids. We've been doing this for 20 months. It is much easier than it has been and yet it remains so very hard.
I struggle with not being able to fully appreciate how well she is...I think this is because anything can still happen. Things do happen. I've seen it happen to other families and it is so absolutely heart-breaking. It feels like we are this tiny little oasis like island surrounded by a sea of suffering. It's hard to know how to be on this island. Do I stand here and do the happy dance for Aria knowing that just out there in the sea people near and dear to me are suffering horribly? That's the struggle. I find myself not dancing for joy but rather kneeling in gratitude and bowing in reverence and trust for those who are trying to swim to our shores. That's what it feels like for me right now. It is really a rather beautiful thing.
so without further adieu, here's Aria beginning Kindergarten!!
She's amazing...I thank you all for your continued thoughts and well wishes. We are nearing the finish line each and every day!
My love to you, ~julia
Reo, Aria, and Rianna starting school. Rianna is ready to go yet but she has to be just like big brother and sister. too cute!!
Aria in her class. She is such a big girl now!! By the way...her dress was made from a bed sheet I found. I just love it!!
being simple to simply be
Farmgirl #30
www.julia42.etsy.com
www.about-aria.blogspot.com |
| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| electricdunce |
Posted - Sep 29 2009 : 10:23:06 AM
What a lovely photo of your children, they all look so happy and healthy. Aria's dress is so sweet. I cannot imagine the tenterhooks you are constantly on, but I think gratitude is a wonderful feeling to acknowledge.
Everyone's struggles are different, but it always good to appreciate the things we have in our lives that enrich them so much...
Where are the pictures of the throne, Julia, I know I can't be the only person waiting to see those.
Karin
Farmgirl Sister #153
"Give me shelter from the storm" - Bob Dylan
http://moodranch.blogspot.com
http://domesticnonsense.etsy.com |
| Marcy |
Posted - Sep 29 2009 : 09:32:22 AM
You are in my thoughts more than you know. Thank you so very much for keeping us updated. May Aria and all of you continue to be healthy happy and always loved.
Farmgirl #170
Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give...Eleanor Roosevelt
http://marcysworldofcreativity.blogspot.com/ |
| AuntPammy |
Posted - Sep 29 2009 : 08:18:10 AM
May your blessings continue to flow. I am so happy for you and your family, the children are just beautiful.Thanks for sharing your good news.
"Keep your face to the sunshine and you will never see the shadow." Helen Keller
www.auntpsalmostheaven.blogspot.com |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Sep 29 2009 : 08:17:14 AM
YEAH ARIA!! She is just so cute... I want to pick her up and give her big hugs!!! Thanks for sharing with us. It is very uplifting!!! (((HUGS)))
Heather
http://somewheredownintexas-heather.blogspot.com |
| mellaisbella |
Posted - Sep 29 2009 : 08:11:33 AM
oh Julia
thank you so much for sharing your life with us. Blessings to you all :)
"we must be the change we wish to see in the world"
farmgal #150 |
| dutchy |
Posted - Sep 28 2009 : 10:43:16 PM
TEN thousand and more cheers for Aria and you too Julia. She looks awesome, what a pretty girls and boy you have!!!
I agree wholeheartedly with the previous posters.
Many many hugs and prayers to you all :)
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
My personal blog:
http://just-me-a-dutch-girl.blogspot.com/
Almost daily updates on me and mine :)
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| julia hayes |
Posted - Sep 28 2009 : 4:18:44 PM
Mary Jane!! thank you! Melody June, Thank you!! Mary Jane you really hit the nail on the head..live today... I have a whole chapter on that one idea/ideal. The notion of living in the moment, being present, live for today and so on and so forth. It is such an easy thing to say and think but, gee whiz, it can be a tough thing to actually do. Trust me, I can't tell you how much I appreciate your gentle reminder because it is absolutely and positively true. I just struggle with pulling it off! But may I say that I'm improving. This idea is really becoming less of an intellectual exercise and more of a physical reality. I really am beginning to grasp, in a "way of life" kind of way, the meaning of sucking the marrow out of this very moment. I don't think it is ever something one achieves, however. I think it is always where someone heads. I wonder if it is one of those concepts that you arrive at only at the end of your journey, because the journey itself is the whole point. I don't know. I'm still thinking about it.
I can tell you that I am, in so many ways, a completely changed person. Having this venue to share Aria's journey has been priceless. The many people who have reached out to me/her/us is just mind-blowing. I am ever more convinced that Aria's story is bigger than just her. I think so many people can relate..they can see themselves and their own journeys. It is such a privilege to write about her. Your words of praise regarding my writing are lovely and I thank you. I wish I could take full credit but alas....more often than not I find myself sitting at the computer realizing I am only a messenger....
3 cheers for Aria!! ~julia
being simple to simply be
Farmgirl #30
www.julia42.etsy.com
www.about-aria.blogspot.com |
| CountryBorn |
Posted - Sep 28 2009 : 2:46:39 PM
Julia, I am always so moved by your posts about Aria. Your honesty about your true feelings just makes me wish I could reach out and hug you. You always share both the wonderful and the terrifying sides of this battle. You are such a remarkable person and may I say writer. I am so thrilled that Aria is doing so well. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about your little girl. Her strength and her bravery and most of all the ability of all of you to make her life and yours as normal as possible even in the hardest of times. You put it so well when you said that you struggle with not being able to fully appreciate how well she is. Sweet Julia you are so on target with your feelings. It is a struggle because as you say you still know that things can go wrong. But pleaase believe me when I tell you, enjoy these beautiful times.Try and not worry too much. Because no one ever really knows what can be around the next corner, I know that very well. All you can do is live today and as you said appreciate and feel such gratitude for every day. After all thats the way we should all live our lives anyway! God bless Aria you and all your beautiful family. Such adorable kids they all are. By the way, I love the dress!
Hugs and prayers MJ
There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. Freya Stark |
| Cabinprincess |
Posted - Sep 28 2009 : 2:36:06 PM
What treasures you have! Just count your blessings everyday and give thanks! She is just beautiful! They all are.
Smiled, Melody June
God's gift to you are your talents, your gift to Him is how you use them. |
