Don't sweat the petty stuff

I continually read Leroy Sievers blog called “My Cancer,” and today there was a post that was particularly meaningful. You don’t have to have or be affected by cancer in any way to get the lift that this particular entry gives. If you have a chance read it, have a real good think about what he says. It’s titled Little Things That Turn the Day Around. Mr. Sievers recently found out that he’s not completely clear of all the tumors in his body, and he has to go through the process again of more scans, more radiation, more tests, more visits to the hospital room, and most likely more chemotherapy treatments. My heart goes out to this man, not only for the reason that he’s battling the “beast” as he calls it, but he writes every single day about what he’s going through. He is a very gifted writer, and is an inspiration to all those suffering from cancer, and even to those who aren’t.
In today’s blog he makes a list of the little things that he really likes, the simple things that many look over during their day to day activities. The comments posted to his blog include other readers lists of simple things they enjoy. In response to this, I think I will make my own list of things that I really like that make my day, and make me appreciate that I have a healthy, happy life. Most things have to deal with eating or some sort of consumption it seems. I could live on chips and salsa and vanilla ice cream, Blue Bell vanilla ice cream to be specific. I have lived in Texas for 11.5 years, and I have never had any vanilla better then the Blue Bell Homemade! I love pasta dishes too, anything pasta. I think that comes from being physically active, I always crave pasta. Coffee in the morning, in the afternoon, or strong espresso after a meal late at night when I know I’m going to need to get to sleep. I like really good red wines in really big wine glasses, you know the ones that are very thin and delicate. They are fun to drink out of, and those types of glasses make me drink slower because I’m afraid to take too big of a sip in fear that I’ll break the glass some how. I like flowers, whether they are in my garden, in pots on my patio, or fresh cut. I received a hand full of dandelions from my friend Tim’s oldest son (he’s 5) when I was in Massachusetts earlier in the spring, they were beautiful. Jake seemed taken by me and was attached to me like a leech for the few days I was visiting. He was so cute with his little shy smile and his hand straight out in front of him holding dozens of dandelions. That made me smile, that will be something I will never forget. Tim lost his father to cancer a few months before I lost my mother, and we have been friends for a very long time, we relate on many things cancer (unfortunately). I like solid friendships, real friendships, ones that make you forget what time of day it is because you can’t stop talking. Friendships like I have with Tim, with Dawn, and with Jim. I like dogs, little puppy kisses on my nose, and throwing the ball with my boxer in the back yard. A baseball game live, regardless if my team wins or loses, the atmosphere of an American classic with hot dogs and beer! Beer.... mmmmmmmmmmmmm, I don’t think I need to go into that one to much, one word says it all! Getting a hug from someone always takes any pain away, whether emotional or physical. Dawn just told me that a hug from her boyfriend makes it all better. It’s something that makes her happy, and I’m sure makes everyone happy. Just a simple hug helped me get the thoughts of my mom’s illness out of my head for just for a few seconds. I think I could go on and ramble, but I know that just writing a few things down this afternoon has really put a smile on my face. So, when you’re down, think about all those things that are taken for granted in your daily routine. That cup of coffee in the morning, really taste it, enjoy the buzz, that bowl of ice cream, add another scoop. And, as my best friend Dawn likes to say from time to time, don’t sweat the petty stuff and don’t pet the sweaty stuff.