Happy 2011

There were a few blessings that added some sunshine to an otherwise cloudy 2010: new friendships and a fabulous job. I ended 2010 running in a 5K and crossing the finish line into a new year, hopefully one full of health and happiness. Here are some exciting events that are already showing promise for a great year. March: 15K Gate River Run: STRENGTH June: Celebrating my 35th on a cruise to Bermuda with my amazing family: BLESSING August: Cousin's long-awaited wedding: MIRACULOUS September: 6th Annual John G. Rampolla Golf Outing: HONOR November: Running 26.2 miles at the NYC Marathon alongside my oncologist: EXTRAORDINARY December: Cancer2 submitted to an editor; 1st step towards publication: HOPEFUL Being alive to partake in these events: PRICELESS

2010: A Year in Review

2010 was the start to a new decade; one which was supposed to be full of wonderful surprises and new starts. Instead, it was a year full of extreme highs and lows, and another year I was happy to say goodbye to. It started off with promise but slowly turned into a year full of sadness, heartache, medical scares and a complete change of direction in life. Each of these scenarios were one in which I had no choice but to accept and move on, which was no easy task. Having loved and lost in one ways than one, there are no answers as to why life is so unfair. How do you explain two dear friends, one 28 and one in her 50's, losing their battles to ovarian cancer within four months of each other? Why does a man who professes his love to you and tell you he's going to marry you, end up cheating? Why do you go for a routine check-up and end up going in for an MRI to make sure that there are no "undiscovered" tumors in your already scar-ridden body, once again holding your breath until you get the test results? Why was the economy in such a state that I wasn't able to continue doing what I loved most? Why does the person I truly believe I'm meant to be with live in another state? Why does your football team, who shows promise all season and is a shoe-in for the playoffs, blow it by playing poorly, ending their season too soon? OK, so that isn't a life tragedy but one that just added to my misery! Why weren't my prayers for happiness being heard? What else did I have to do to ensure my happily ever after? I've been told, for the past 5 years, "This is your year; I just know it." Well, 2010 wasn't it, nor were the five years prior. There is always 2011...let's hope this is the year that I can finally proclaim, "You're right!"