Attitude of gratitude. Just simply being reminded to be grateful brings a smile to my face and a peaceful feeling to my soul. There are so many things for which I am grateful and I know, without them, I would not be where I am today. Most of all, I am eternally grateful for my friends and family who are too numerous to mention. Know though, that although I might only see or talk with you once in a great while, each and every one of you have made an impact on my life and for that, I am grateful.
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| Winner Creek Trail marker at Alyeska |
Sam is doing quite well at this point, relatively speaking. Last weekend we spent at Alyeska, a resort approxmiately 40 miles south of Anchorage. It is one of our favorite "getaway" spots and it did provide some rest and "cancer free" moments, such as eating at our favorite spot, The Silvertip Grill. On the other hand, it served as an eye opener for me. During our past visits, we went on many hikes along the Winner Trail as well as along the multi-user path which goes from the resort to the Seward Highway. This time, however, we made it about 1/4 mile in on the Winner Creek Trail and Sam hit his max. I suspected his breathing capabilities were not what they had been, but he refused to really let me know...until I saw it for myself. Going up stairs is a challenge, and it is a very slow process. Watching him struggle with activities he dearly loves broke my heart; yet because I cannot allow myself to become immersed in the sadness of it all, I literally pushed those thoughts out of my mind. They are there, though, just under the surface. Here is my energetic, outdoor-loving, athletic husband struggling to do something he used to give me grief for in not being able to keep up with him. Now, it is the exact opposite (although I do not give him grief, let me be very clear on that.) Today he told me he tries to walk 20 minutes each day in order to keep his circulation going and his muscles from atrophying.
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| Sam hiking at Alyeska |
As for his mood, it is much better and he informed me that the doctor prescribed a low dose of Lexapro for his mood and anxiety issues. Now I know why things are so much better. Whatever it takes, although a win yesterday by his Ducks would have made the world a much better place as well!
However, my Denver Broncos are doing awesome, so all is well in my world!
This past week I spent at two different conferences, the first at the Alaska Chapter of the American Planning Association and the second at the Resource Development Council. Let me just say...there is a huge difference between the APA's mindset and the RDC's mindset. For those of you who live in Alaska, I am sure you know what I mean. I will leave it at that and say no more.
The weather here in Anchorage is getting cold and colder, not much snow, but enough to let us know winter is here. My sled dog musher friends are grateful for the cold because it provides a more stable environment for practice runs. Alyeska opens for skiing this week, so that will make many others happy, too. "They" say that we are supposed to have just as much snow this winter as last, however, so far, it does not look like it. On the other hand, March and April are the snowiest months, so I probably should not get too excited.
In case I do not post before Thursday, to those of you in America, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!
q'ua
