Saturday, March 14, 2015

Bucket List/ gofundme

Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I learned that we reached the goal of $7,500 for Paris! Any money raised from this point on will help me cross off other Bucket List items, pay for medical expenses, or go into college funds for the girls. Here are the next things on my Bucket List:

1. Grow old with Mark.
2. Watch our children grow.
3. Meet Ellen and thank her for her dancing inspiration during my chemos.
4. Give back BIG.

When I am asked about places I dream of going, my first choice is Paris. I want to climb to the top of the Effile Tower, show the girls some great works of art and enjoy some French pastries.

My second choice would be Disney and Universal Studios to see Harry Potter.

My third would be California to see my sister, Ashley, and her family with my family. ( I have been out to visit her twice, but only Olivia came with me the last time)

Becky brought up our medical bills. Mark is self-employed and I work part-time, mainly for medical insurance. When I was first diagnosed, my plan paid 100%, but now my employer changed to a 80/20 plan. With doctor costs and medications we pay about $6000 out of pocket per year. By the grace of God we do not have any medical debt thus far, but if/when I stop working we will need to find new insurance... so many things to think about and plan for.

Only God knows how much time each of us will have on this earth.

We only get so much time with our kids before they grow up, move out of the house and set off on journeys of their own. Our oldest daughter, Natalie, turned 15 this month! Olivia has been telling me that it's taking way too long to get to her birthday, because she can't wait to be 5. We may look forward to things, but we really only have NOW. I want to make memories with my girls. I know it doesn't take a big trip or a distant destination to create memories. I understand the sweetest memories happen when we are fully present in this very moment, in all the beautiful, quiet moments of our lives. It's about getting up to let Amore out and seeing a sunrise that reaches across the horizon and touches me. It's about lying in bed and feeling the warmth of a child and a dog snuggled up against me, falling asleep to the rhythm of our breaths. It's about walking through sand with bare feet, kissing my husband in the rain, soaking in a hot bubble bath. It's about facing life on life's terms, with an open mind and an open heart. It's about looking for and finding treasures along the way. A Bucket List is about dreaming. It's about hope. Thank you for dreaming with me. Thank you for helping make my dreams come true!

2 comments:

  1. I don't know how I came across your blog, but I just read it from the very beginning. Wow...just wow...you simply AMAZE me! You are everything that strength, love and beauty mean to me. While I am a stranger to you, I am stranger who is keeping you in my prayers for continued strength, comfort and healing. I also live in Chicago....I would have loved to have 'hosted' one of your visits or at least met up with you to explore my hometown!! Hugs and prayers to you!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Sarah. Your dad gave me information about your blog/site today. I've worked with him for nearly 15 years. I'll be sharing your story with my friends and family. Wishing you and your family a Happy Easter weekend.~~~Shannon

    ReplyDelete