I think that I am experiencing the 12 days of Christmas early this year. We took a quick weekend trip to Texas to visit my family and my niece, Casey Ramm, surprised me with a signed Tom Clancey book written by Marc Cameron. As he was signing the book, she told him my story and he said that his wife was a breast cancer survivor. She came over and talked to Casey and asked the title of my book. This was such a nice surprise and gift to start the holiday season.
We also got to meet our three new nephews who have been adopted by Brandy and Brandon. They plastered us (literally) with stickers and sang a hearty version of “Go Tell it on a Mountain,” since we would miss their school Christmas program. It was a joy to meet these happy boys who were so deserving of a loving and permanent home.
My mom prepared her famous peanut brittle and packaged it for us to take back to Iowa. (We may have eaten most of it in Minnesota!) If you have ever had Mom’s peanut brittle, you would know how special it is. Too bad we didn’t share.
From Texas, we flew to Minneapolis to have some Tavi Time and to visit with Nicholas and Samantha. Tavi showed us her new tricks which include rocking on her knees, falling down, and then rolling to her back. She also mimicked her Grandpa by shaking her head vigorously each time he shook his head. Her entire body shook. Of course we got it on camera!
Since it rained and snowed the next two days, I decided to get my walk in at the Mall of America. Because of the weather, hardly anyone was there. I wandered into a “Made in Minnesota” store (which should be relabled “Made in Minnesota and/or China”) and saw a display from an artist, Julia Knight, that I have purchased several pieces from. As I stood talking to the woman, I mentioned that I had the artist sign several pink pieces for me to give to my breast cancer mentors a few years ago. The woman then told me that SHE was Julia Knight and she remembered signing the pieces for me and asked to shake my hand. Of course I purchased another small bowl and had her sign it for me. What an incredible opportunity.
The following day, Gene, Samantha, Tavi and I went back to the Mall of America so we could help Sam with some holiday shopping (and get a walk in). I dropped into the Vera Bradley store on a whim and as I was talking to the sales clerk, she got teary eyed and told me that her sister had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. I told her I was a cancer survivor and gave her my card so her sister (and mom) could contact me. She then loaded me up with so much “free” stuff that Gene and Sam laughed when I showed up with wrapping paper, a candle, a mini bundt cake (kid you not!), and a bottle of water.
And this week, I got the most adorable hand colored ornament from my 3 year old niece, Harper. Such a precious gift and kudos to Jennifer and Jack for sending it to us.
I’m going to see if my luck/good fortune continues to hold and go to meet Tess at a casino tomorrow and exchange Christmas presents. A casino and Christmas may seem an odd mix, but it is exactly at the halfway point between our houses (I swear!). It has been our tradition for the past seven years with only missing the year I was in chemo.
So the first twelve days of Christmas have been fabulous!