The school year is so busy that I sometimes feel that my students get the best of me and I have nothing left after the bell rings.
Summer lets me give more of myself to those I love the most :)These dudes for instance:
My husband and 2 boys spent a few sun-drenched days at the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
During the day we read, soaked up the sun and rode the waves, and when the sun went down…
…hardcore family game night commenced.
My husband and I also jetted off to the Teachers Pay Teachers conference in VEGAS!! It was our first time there (that calls for its own separate blog post) and I got to hang out with some of my favorite SLP bloggers and TPT sellers!! It was so much fun and soooo motivating!
Speaking of my fellow bloggers, today I am linking up with my friends, the FRENZIED SLPS, to tell you about the best thing I learned this summer….
Besides the much needed family time, I’ve been spending time with my little core group of friends. We really need a badass name for ourselves.
We are a hot mess of opinionated, half-crazy-in-a-good-way women just doing the best we can, but we are there for each other through thick and thin- sort of like a marriage- through good times and bad, in sickness and in health, etc., etc.,
Unfortunately, one of my dearest friends, Rachel, has actually put this to the test. At age 34, she has metastatic renal cell carcinoma.
On the cancer scale, renal cell carcinoma is as horrible as it gets.
It’s vile and wicked, and I hate it.
Rachel has handled it with more grace and strength and courage than I could ever muster.
This summer she hasn’t just been my friend- she’s been my teacher.
Rachel’s days are numbered {so she’s been told for quite a while}, but she still lives life in the front row.
In fact, she has already outlived her life expectancy, and she just returned from a family excursion to New Orleans.
That girl doesn’t waste a second!
Even though she’s functioning with only one lung at the moment, she sucks in each morsel of life’s wonder and savors it like caviar.
Actually she always has- at least for as long as I have known her.
I think it’s a rare gift.
Cancer is taking her health, but it has not stolen anything else – not her humor or her faith or her passion for the things she loves the most- or her general pizazz.
I should mention she’s one of the most gifted teachers I’ve ever had the pleasure of working alongside and she remains one my son’s favorite teachers. Well, like I said, now she is teaching me.
Over the past year, she’s schooled me (and everyone else blessed enough to know her) on how to truly live.
If you’re so inclined, follow her story on Caring Bridge (RachelBabin2). Also, please pray for her adoring husband and young sons. If only we all had her positive outlook on life. She inspires me, and I’m so lucky to be able to say she’s my friend.
Here is a recent post from her. It’s long, but I promise it is worth the read.
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I hope to keep this lesson with me always as a gift from her.
The little moments are what make our big life.
They make up my life, and I only get one of those.
I am so sorry about your friend. What fantastic life lessons you're learning from her!!! (Love the new look of the blog, BTW!)
So touching, sad and inspirational all at the same time.
All Y’all Need
Live in the moment…so hard to do, but so needed. The world is a better place because of your friend!
Amazing post, Mia. I am praying for Rachel and you."…when things are in danger some one has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them." Frodo to Samwise; Return of the King, J.R.R. Tolkien
"I hope you dance"! Your post brought tears, you are a beautiful writer and person and I'm so lucky to call you a friend too. PS Your blog looks amazing!!
Your post is so amazing, Mia. Thank you so much for sharing such inspiration during such a heartbreaking time.
So poignant and true Mia. Thanks for stating it so beautifully.
I love this post, Mia! Thanks for sharing!
Okay Mia…I totally balled! Truly thankful for you being so open and sharing this story. Tell your friend that she is in my prayers from California.
You are such a beautiful writer, Mia! Beautiful story, thanks for sharing with us.
Mia, you are a beautiful soul. Thank you for this post. I am so sorry to read about your friend, Rachel. Cancer is so awful. Please tell her that I am praying for her. I haven't seen your blog in a while, and just wanted to let you know how awesome it is. I love it! Best wishes, Manda
What a beautiful post! Love this story and will be praying for you and your friend.
That was so raw and real! Thinking of you both. What a beautiful spirit you both have! Thanks for sharing Mia!