Carol's Adventure Update ...kind of serious

I haven't updated here since the Birthday / Family Day Long Weekend at My Own River Ranch -- and what a wonderful weekend that was. What I didn't say in that post was that on that particular weekend, it marked the beginning of a scary time for me and Bob. We had just received some news from my doctor that we took away with us to begin a process of thought and understanding. But that weekend was mostly about love and celebration ... and lobster and fireplaces and snow and outdoor winter hot tubs and music and beautiful barn cats. *sigh*

This evening I met with a very, very dear friend of mine and I mentioned this blog. When I did, it made me realize that "The Adventures of Carol & Bob" aren't necessarily about trips to beautiful places, interesting accommodations, wonderful meals, great local wines and beers, and nice people. Sometimes, "adventure" can be about facing your greatest fears head on and surviving. This has been what the past few months have been for us. I won't go into the details of what has happened (health-wise) for me over the past few months -- most of you already know. I will say that Bob & I are the luckiest people on this planet. Bob is a cancer survivor. That's damn lucky. A month and a half ago, I prayed that I would be a cancer survivor (and many of you joined me in that prayer), but as it turned out, I'm not a cancer survivor because, interestingly enough, I did NOT have cancer ... just ... almost. Without the details, I will say that I reconciled that I had a year or less to live. Then I tried to imagine what that year would look like. At first I thought that we could continue to live life to its fullest -- to go on the trips we wanted to, and to have some experiences ... just not as many. Then reality set in and I began to understand what my limitations would be and quite frankly, I didn't like it. I was damn mad. I wasn't sad about work or money, which ties into my philosophy that, when you die, they do not engrave your resume or bank statement on your headstone -- just when you were born, when you died, and who you were loved by. In the end, that's all that matters. I did however, have regrets, among other things, for the adventures we wouldn't have. For example, we had talked and planned a drive over the "Going To The Sun Road" / Logan's Pass / West Glacier in Montana. Well ... I'm fine ... and we're going on that trip in August. We are going to visit other places we had talked about as well -- like Ucluelet on Vancouver Island's West Coast . Also some beloved "old places" --My Own River Ranch, Sundance Lodges, Orca View Cottages, Spinnakers Guest House in Victoria, as well as Qualicum Beach, and Fanny's Bay.

Lessons:

Learn to understand what's really important and live every day as though it's your last. I know -- that's a cliche. We (all) have been saying it forever, but until you don't think you actually have a "forever", you don't really understand how very true that is.

Don't waste another minute planning for "the big thing" (big trip, big money, big job, big house). Your next, and last, "big thing" might be that kiss you get before you turn off the lights tonight. Make. Every. Minute. Count.

Remember to tell your favourite folks how much you love them, and how important they are to you ... every day.

Take bubble baths. Use the "good dishes". Drink good wine. Cook "fancy dinners". Burn the expensive candles. Go for car drives for no reason. Laugh.

Much love, my friends.

Carol