This was a weekend of stolen moments. In fact, this was perhaps the most “normal” I have felt since my diagnosis. Each day began with a visit with friends, new and old. Friday I met a woman for lunch. She was a complete stranger, yet we know each other on a much deeper level. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in January and is getting ready to start chemo this week. I know the fear that is hidden in her eyes and masked with a courageous smile. It was great to get to know her. She has a wonderful support network and a wonderful attitude. It sounds like a winning combination for this journey.

As I walked away from our time together, the rain was gently falling. Rather than pull out my umbrella, I let the soft drops fall gently on my cheeks. It was nature’s caress reminding me that one gift I take away from this journey is feeling. I flashed back to my old life BBC (Before Breast Cancer) and remember the hurried pace with which I went through life, hardly taking time to feel the experience. I spent the time “doing” not “being.” While I haven’t been able to stop the “doing” I have been given the gift of being in the moment and feeling, embracing, and loving. It is a powerful realization, one of many, that comes to me in flashes as the time since treatment continues to unwind with gathering speed.

I spent the rest of the weekend catching up with old friends over long coffee breaks and good visits. My sister and I went on a drive and had such a beautiful view of green hills and blue skies with huge white puffy clouds. It was a postcard day in Southern California and it was refreshing to feel the warmth of the sun replace the raindrops on my face. This weekend showed every indication that Spring has indeed arrived both in the air and in my heart. Y