I’ve been staring at this blank page for a while now, wondering how to fill it, knowing that I need to put something down on “paper” so I can have at least one blog entry for the month of August. But what to write about…
Then I saw a thread on my support board, an old thread that had been “bumped.” The title of this thread was “Who are you besides cancer.” In this thread, we all gave a short introduction of ourselves and our lives outside cancer. Reading this old thread, I was amazed at how different my life is now, just two short years later.
I thought it would be interesting to compare where I was then with where I am now. I’ve used what I wrote then to do this:
THEN: My real name is Dawn, and I live in Arlington, Texas with my husband and two children. My DH and I are celebrating our 15th anniversary this year (wow!). My daughter, Amy, is turning 10 in September, and my son Adam is 7. I’m fortunate to be a stay-at-home mom, and I love it. It especially comes in handy now!
NOW: Well, my name is still Dawn, and I still have two kids – but that’s about it! Doug and I divorced this year after 16 years of marriage. Most of you reading my blog know the reason why we divorced. I’m thankful that he’s still in my life, and he’s a great father to my kids (they’re almost 12 and 9 ½ now!). I love his partner too, and we all have a very good family relationship together – as strange as that sounds to most people.
Believe it or not, I actually knew my husband was gay when I wrote my original post. My head was firmly entrenched in the sand…
THEN: I am a soapmaker. I had a soapmaking business until I got sick. I was selling on the internet and also at a weekly outside market. I loved doing my market, and I am very dissappointed that I’m not able to do it this year. Especially since I paid my $600 in fees for the year the week before I was diagnosed! So now soapmaking is just a hobby again. I made the best smelling batch of grapefruit soap the other day, and it was so much fun. It’s the first batch I made since I got sick.
NOW: I haven’t made soap in a VERY long time. I need to sell off my supplies…
THEN: Before I had kids, I used to be a technical writer/instructional designer. It was fun, but I was happy to get out of the corporate world!
NOW: I’m right smack back in the corporate world again – working as an instructional designer. However, I’m actually very happy with my job.
THEN: My husband is an IT manager and also just started a second job as a bartender. I’m lucky to have the guy. He’s a keeper for sure. (And he now has less hair than me!!!!!)
NOW: Well, maybe not such a keeper…
THEN: My kids are beautiful. I love them so much, even when they’re being snots! They’ve started back to school, and they’re loving it. I can’t believe how fast they’re growing.
NOW: This is actually still 100% true. One of the few things that have remained the same in my life.
THEN: Well, that’s about it. I better get a move on. I have my old ladies water aerobics class this morning! Love those old ladies. They’re such a group of kind hearts…
NOW: Back then, I was recovering from chemo and multiple surgeries and all I could physically handle was a water aerobics class. Now of course, there’s my bike. Love my bike…
NOW: I am confident in myself; I know who I am and what I want out of life, and I’m not willing to settle. I’m no longer afraid of change. I’m no longer afraid to take risks. I am strong, physically and emotionally.
Life is good…
