Friday, May 29, 2009

* Time to Lighten up *


Charlie and I ~ summer of 1997

"Soak Up The Sun"

My friend the communist
Holds meetings in his RV
I can't afford his gas
So I'm stuck here watching TV
I don't have digital
I don't have diddly squat
It's not having what you want
It's wanting what you've got

[CHORUS:]
I'm gonna soak up the sun
Gonna tell everyone
To lighten up (I'm gonna tell 'em that)
I've got no one to blame
For every time I feel lame
I'm looking up o I'm gonna soak up the sun
I'm gonna soak up the sun
I've got a crummy job
It don't pay near enough
To buy the things it takes
To win me some of your love
Every time I turn around
I'm looking up, you're looking down
Maybe something's wrong with you
That makes you act the way you do
Maybe i am crazy too

[CHORUS]

I'm gonna soak up the sun
While it's still free
I'm gonna soak up the sun
Before it goes out on me
Don't have no master suite
I'm still the king of me
You have a fancy ride, but baby
I'm the one who has the key
Every time I turn around
I'm looking up, you're looking down
Maybe something's wrong with you
That makes you act the way you do
Maybe I am crazy too

[CHORUS]

I'm gonna soak up the sun
Got my 45 on
So I can rock on.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is officially summer for me! Today was our last day of school and I am thrilled! I'm going to enjoy my summer to its fullest. I have started a list of things that I love and want to do this summer. We always love a vacation on the beach packed with fresh fruit, sun, sand, waves and hopefully some beautiful sunsets! I enjoy getting up with the sun and taking walks on the beach, drinking my coffee slowly, napping, playing games, reading books, listening to music and loving on friends and family! In addition, we love going to the Sierra mountains as well. We enjoy taking it slow, breathing in fresh air, hiking, eating smores as we tell stories and reminisce around the campfire. Breakfast always taste wonderful too; is it the mountain air that makes everything taste better?

This is really a happy time for me as I look back at just a year ago, everything seemed so uncertain. Being a year since Charlie's last chemo, I find it interesting; thinking of the conversations I've had with people over time and comparing this year to last. It makes me realize how far we have come. Yet looking at the big picture, it has only been 365 days. I have to smile though, because I am so proud of how we didn't let cancer overpower us as a couple or as a family. I understand that we aren't "out of the wood's" yet, but life is uncertain... we don't know what the future holds for us. I don't want to live life with any regrets. I see a clearing "in these woods" where the sun is shining. I'm going to stand in it. Really, you just have to live life, day by day and know that you made the best of it. That is what I am trying to do. Live life fully and enjoy it heart and soul!


*Note ~ Every time I turn on the radio, this Cheryl Crow song "Soak Up the Sun" comes on and I can't get it out of my head.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If

If you can value
all the simple joys
in each new day,
If you can see the gift
in everything
life brings your way,
If you can find
your strength
and all your answers
deep within,
If you can
trust yourself enough
to let your dreams
begin...

If you can learn and grow
from every challenge that you face,
If you can know each moment
is the perfect time and place,
If you can recognize yourself
in others' hopes and fears,
If you can feel compassion
for your own and others' tears,
If you can understand your thoughts
help shape the world you see,
If you can sense that you create
your own reality,
If you can comfort someone else and be a friend who cares,
If you believe real wealth comes from
the riches that one shares...

If you can live life fully
and enjoy it heart and soul,
If you can just accept
those twists and turns you can't control,
If you can show integrity
in every choice you make~
Then your journey will be filled
with joy, whichever paths you take.

6 comments:

  1. Oh your post just makes me "happy".

    Love the picture of you and Charlie on the beach... That is so very cool.

    Yesterday I found a picture of Don and I on the beach in 1988... I'm going to post it... we were so young, and buff and tan....

    Love the songs...Love that you have the summer off.

    When we come up for the 100th Ann. of the Church the last of Sept. we plan on staying long enought to really see and visit people... You are on my list!!!!!!!

    Love and Hugs
    Wanda Mom

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  2. The picture of you two is just so darn neat. What a cute couple of kids.

    Life has always been uncertain and in the last 365 days you have learned that. What could be a better lesson. Now, you won't take a second for granted, ever! Worth all the pain, is it not?

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  3. I hope you and Charlie "Soak up all the sun and breathe that mountain air"

    and some where in between we can all visit each other

    miss and love you all
    Tia

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  4. You have learned so much and in so many ways in the last 365!
    The biggest lesson is that it is today that counts.
    Love and big hugs sweetie, enjoy your summer..!
    xox

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  5. I hope you are having a wonderful time.

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  6. Enjoy your life one moment at a time.

    I don't remember if I suggested this essay to you. It has to do with finding the blessing in everything that happens. If you haven't read it, please do when you have the time. However, looking at your list of things to do, they are probably more important. And that is a blessing too.

    Take care and my best to Charlie. Keep up the good fight with a laugh in your souls and a song in your hearts.

    ReplyDelete