Grateful. Every damn day.
David and I had an appointment with the counselor this morning. Her name is Heather, she’s been working with us for over a year, and she is a melanoma survivor with an intimate understanding of the stressors cancer puts upon a family.
Today one of our topics was how to approach the future with realism but also hope and gratitude; one day at a time. I shared the fact that first thing every morning I say to myself, ‘I’m alive’—three times for greater emphasis.
Heather asked if we had ever heard the Kenny Chesney tune (with Dave Matthews) “I’m Alive”. Dave thought he had, but I hadn’t—if it’s not Patsy Cline or Lyle Lovett, I’m not much for country music. But, I am open minded, so Heather played it for us. I must say, it made me smile and cry at the same time and I understand why Heather described it as a treasure. And now I’m thinking I ought to share it with you:
life and breath: outliving lung cancer 
Linnea,
Thank you for this. What we are able to do may change from day to day, but each day that we’re alive we have the opportunity to try something new.
Absolutely!
Linnea
Thank you, Linnea, for posting this! I found the song on Youtube. Love it! I’ll listen to it whenever I feel down and need a reminder that I’m alive and well TODAY.
Yuki, so good to hear your voice. Every day’s a bonus!
xoL
I am not a country music fan also, but the song “if tomorrow never comes”, by Garth Brooks came on yesterday. We should tell our loved ones how much we love them each and every day. Here is the link; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fY07-DCQ4EI
Michael, thanks for sharing. And yes, we shouldn’t (any of us) take anything (or anyone) for granted.
Linnea
Thanks for sharing. I hadn’t heard this song before. I am going to share it with my Dad. He has lung cancer too but his has spread to his brain. I love reading your posts.It lifts my spirit to hear you doing so well.♥ Best wishes to you and thanks for sharing!
Kandi
Kandi, I wish your dad the best. And it is a beautiful and poignant song–thank you.
Linnea
Thank you for this timely post. Eight years ago my husband took his last difficult breath and I promised him that every day when I woke up I would remind myself just how lucky that I am to be alive. And, as you say… well.
Pamela, what a lovely promise to have made and a beautiful way to honor your husband’s memory. Stay well.
Linnea
Well – I am a fan of country music and this is one of my all time favorites Linnea…glad you found and like it too! xxoo D
Didn’t know that about you Miss Diane; the country music connection—I think I was ‘over-exposed’ growing up in Colorado (and I played the steel guitar when young—that actually may have been the problem :). But yes, glad I’ve got this song (and you!) in my life now.
xoL
Thanks so much Linnea! I can count on something from you to bring life into perspective
Thanks Gwen. And I can count on you to say something nice.
Linnea