Okay so I know I’ve been delinquent in the blogging arena. I could make a lot of excuses, all very valid I might add, but the truth is life happens. My family continues to deal with the house guest that wont leave-cancer. In October my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and right before the holidays the doctors at Sloan Kettering also discovered a nodule is her left lung-cancer. We are grateful that the cancers are separate and both at operable stages, nevertheless, from firsthand experience, it will change her life. I found myself asking how can I walk with her and others who are going through devastating sickness? It’s easy to provide pat inspiring clichés, “Hey-you’ll be fine-trust in God” (this my favorite dense piece of encouragement shared by well-meaning folks who are uncomfortable with suffering). After much deliberation and sleepless prayers I decided that I needed to return to the blog and continue to share my story in hopes of walking with those who suffer. So, I am writing a blog every week this year about the 52 beautiful things and/or experiences that came into my life when cancer came. The postings are dedicated to my mom and to all of us who experience devastating loss or sickness and need reminders that, “Darkness is the alleluia point at which we learn to understand that all growth does not take place in the sunlight.” ― Joan D. Chittister
Some Things Only Came With Cancer
(52 unexpected things that came into my life when cancer came)
- Looking for reasons to laugh really loudly
I am self-admittedly a person who has always been predisposed to the sober and serious things of life. I can remember being 6 years old and crying in my bed because I was afraid of getting old. Who does that at six years old? I do that’s who, its just how I have learned to approach life. From early on I found myself anticipating the scary aspects that life inevitability brings. If I am not reading the paper, watching a documentary or having a conversation with my son about the impact of global warming on polar bears-then something is wrong. So I was surprised that during my chemo marathon my usual solemn undertakings were just not cutting it for me. I couldn’t bare to carry another harsh truth or devastating piece of news. I wanted to laugh-correction-I needed to laugh. And that became my mission, to find what makes me laugh so hard that I even pee a little. I have to credit my sister Dorca for turning me onto “Impractical Jokers” a show that brought me some of my biggest laughs. Here are some of my favorite clips-enjoy!
Hey Cousin, You are so inspiring and good Lord……… the long words… you lost me a couple of times but I read all of your blogs…. My goodness Mayra you have sure been through quite an ordeal and ay ay ay my aunt Vicky…. I can’t find the words to comfort you or even make this go away… but hopefully I can put a smile on your face… know that I am still on 40th and Crescent same Apt. its been 40 years…. I go through Queensbridge and just think of you guys and how we used to go to Church and play in the basement and I used to sell candy.(and eat alot of it) we used to play the tamborines in church some better then others………. way better… Leopoldo giving us the crooked eye….. Maranatha… The Rios’ The Maldonados The Mirandas etc. thats all we have baby girl “Memories” okay now I’m crying…. but you will overcome this just continue to blog it really helps there are so many others going through this…. they just need to share…. love you girl – Racheal Torres
Hi Rachel
So good to hear from you. How is the family? Your memories made me smile. Thanks for reading and I want to invite you to our church on Sunday at 11am. Please check out our website: metrohopenyc.org
Love you,
Mayra
Love this! I am looking forward to your weekly postings!
I find in my own life, nowadays all I watch are comedies, or inspirational documentaries. I pursue joy fiercely. On the flip-side I find myself impatient with people seem to delight in chaos and seek to indulge in shallow sorrow, Lord make me new around these people. Survival does not absolve me from growing in Love.
-Kari C.
Hi Kari,
You are reading…Thank you. I too find it difficult to be around hopelessness, I am fiercely pursuing joy with you!
Love you,
Mayra
Thanks for writing Mayra! Actually, my new year’s resolution this year is to laugh out loud more. I’m too repressed. So I appreciate the links to more opportunities to laugh out loud! Love you Mayra.
Hi Karina
Thanks for the encouragement-you are my hero when it comes to consistency with blogging. Now we have a mission: to discover funny books together. I’ll go first: Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris is hilarious.
Love,
May
I just put that book on my library queue. Have you read “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson? Very, very funny.
Its officially on my reading list. Thanks for the suggestion.
I love to hear you laugh sis…the sound is absolutely life giving.
Love,
Sonya
I’ll keep on laughing and you keep on hugging sis.
Love
may
you inspire me, love you
Love you too lil bro.
Thank you for sharing 😇
Thanks for reading Edna
Hey Sis…I love your blogs & am always excited to hear your stories & life experiences. I think cancer (shamefully enough) brought us much closer together in a “new” way and for that I am grateful. I love u more than words can say Lil Sis…
You are so right..stay tuned you may see yourself on the list-lol
love you sis
Thanks, Mayra. Been on that journey myself, and also tend toward the serious side. We’ve been watching marathons of the Big Bang Theory at my house. I can’t recommend its morals (and we have no kids at home), but the writing keeps me laughing, even if I have seen it before (3 times). Agreed: laughter really helps.
Hello Sue. Glad you found the blog and that now we can say we are on the journey together! I have only watched big bang a few times, but you are so right-its hilarious and witty.Thanks for reading.
Best,
Mayra
This is so true, that show has given me many nights of unexpected, at times inappropriate laughter. Especially when your wincing from Chemo pain, lol. Thank you for sharing Mayra!
Hi Eddie,
so good to hear from you. Hope we can catch up soon, you and your family are in my prayers. Laugh, cry, complain and laugh some more.
Abrazos,
Mayra