GottaLoveMom

You know that BLAH feeling you get after being ill for months and months? Well, that feeling can linger on even after your surgeon/oncologist informed you that “Everything’s OK. All lab results came back benign and you can resume normal activities in 3 days.” At first, I took a deep sigh of relief and gratitude. I didn’t realize how waiting to officially hear the word “benign” was causing a burden on my heart, so when it finally hit me, I burst out crying. Then, there’s hope that recovery will be smooth. The surgeon did say “resume to normal in 3 days”. Normal in 3 days? Really? What does “normal” even mean? What happens to your body when you’ve sat on the couch for at least 2 months? What happens to your brain when you go under anesthesia - 4 times in less than 6 months? I've been in healing mode for a while, and there are 7 things I learned while recovering from multiple surgeries:

"There is something amazing about sharing stories. The ability to truly see another human being inside their story or to see their imagination at work is the greatest honor. " - Natasha Reilly, Artist, Writer, Founder of CreativeNachos.com What’s your morning routine? David Bowie’s song, Under Pressure , is the alarm that sounds first thing and kicks off my morning routine. I just love that song and when I hear it I start giggling before my eyes are even open. This idea that I’m “under pressure” to get up and get the day started cracks me up. Once the kids are off to school, you can find me engaged in yoga or some form of exercise before I sit down to begin working. Usually I will start by responding to emails and then dive in to work with clients or focus on my own creative projects.

Almost all of us look forward to the weekend to relax, recharge and reconnect. Whether you’re someone who plans ahead or does things on-the-go, here are a few simple things I look forward to: READ.   If you haven’t picked out a book, go to your local library and pick one or revisit your own bookcase. Try reading a non-electronic book, it’ll help re-train your brain to focus and read every work without skimming.

I’m a California girl at heart, whose soul now belongs to New York.   I’m a jaded, romantic, who believes in crazy-about-you love. I’m a daydreamer and goalkeeper. And I’m always planning my next adventure.  What’s your morning routine?   My weekday routine, during the school year may scare people away, so I’m going to tell you what a typical Sunday is like.  I’m the first to get up and my dog, Stella follows me downstairs. I love the quiet stillness in the morning in my kitchen, with the sun streaming in.  I start my day with a glass of warm lemon water – and coffee with almond milk and cinnamon.  Then I walk Stella.  We live on an acre of land and our backyard looks like a park.  It’s a nice meditative time with her, until she sees a rabbit or deer and then I have to chase her down. I have a nice breakfast, then it’s off to work out.  I’m currently obsessed with TRX/Spin fusion classes and Pilates. I work out at least 4 days a wee...

Whenever conversations mention "love",  few movies, books and television series come to mind: Princess Bride,   a romantic movie date, tells of the love story of Buttercup and Westley, who had a chaotic courtship but eventually lived happily ever after. In the movie, Westley was badly hurt, and he was brought to the healer, Miracle Max. Miracle Max asked a dying Westley.                  "What's so important? What do you got here that's worth living for?"                    Westley faintly replied, "True love". This is Us.   A television series on NBC about a family, 3 of whom share the same birthday. My favorite character is the father, Jack Pearson. His priorities begin and start with his wife and children. His love for his family reminds me so much more of my own father. In dealing with life's challenges, I find myself asking, "What would Dad...