My First Blog…. and one that deserves to be number 1…..
Take that!
Strength| It means more than the amount of weight you can lift, or how many grocery bags you can carry in one trip… it has a totally different meaning, Keep reading and you’ll see why!
Lets rewind a bit, back to November 2013. My Mom came to me and my family to tell us she had to go in for a simple procedure. Nobody thought anything of it and we all assured my Mom that everything would be ok… Well as it turns out things didn’t go the way they were planned, as life often throws sudden and abrupt, unwanted twists and turns. Sometimes I like to think its to show us how strong we are as individuals, how easily we can bounce back when given a lemon in life that we just never wanted and make lemonade. A good friend once told me “God never gives you more than you can handle” and she was absolutely correct! It’s just really hard to believe that when you’re in that moment… You also know that old saying “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” That’s a great saying, so we unfortunately had to start making lemonade; sour, yucky, bitter lemonade 🙂
The “C’ word, that word that no one wants to speak about, hear about or ever think about, but unfortunately its become all too common… Two weeks before Thanksgiving, my Mom went in for a hysterectomy. She was surrounded by love from her family, and even that of her sister & brother in law who stayed with us during that week of her surgery. At this point the “c” word was on the table, but there was a good chance after pathology came back that she would be in the clear and given the green light to go about her life as it was… A few hiccups in the road following her surgery, and that dreaded appointment date arrived… Together with my sister, we accompanied my Mom to her appointment, not knowing what the diagnosis/prognosis would be, but we knew she needed support, no matter what the outcome would be… We sat together in the office, for what seemed like hours waiting and then even longer speaking with the doctor… The moments leading up to the diagnosis were long, paused, silent, and filled with anxious thoughts and emotions…
“Type 1A Uterin Sarcoma” AKA—> Cancer… I think after this nobody really heard anything… because when you hear this first or second hand, its much different than just “hearing about it” if you know what I mean…..
So we started making more lemonade so to speak… Radiation & Chemo started approximately 10 weeks following the diagnosis. Counting down the days to the inevitable, the unexpected and the unknown… But together we stood by her, raising her spirits even when they didn’t need it at all… Some other little bumps in the road of course occurred… because why would this process be made any easier?
Chemo started, we made it somewhat of a fun time for my Mom and went to out dinner almost every time following her treatment… kind of like a “pig out” session, knowing that in the next few days, her appetite would be minimal, and her strength would be depleted…. We laughed, we talked about the countdown to the last one… All the while pushing through… We made sure that we would fill up the days with fun things, even if it meant just sitting there eating together. We came up with the idea of creating a fun group that would meet biweekly; “Cro-Shea” (A crochet group) was formed… We still continue to meet every few weeks and crochet together, but mostly these groups were filled with good food, good friends and great conversations with lots of laughs… Oh and more eating than crocheting ! We even contemplated calling the group an eating/social group. And during these months of treatment and testing on our patience, strength and spirit, we were always reminded that it could be worse… Life could be worse… but it’s not, and we are so lucky! So we had to be happy with the fact that we knew this…
During the treatments at the cancer center, My mom of course became known as “The Crochet Lady” because she always had her bag of yarn (I say that lightly, her bag was more like a suitcase) and began to gift coffee cozy’s to all of her nurses.. no wonder why they were always more than willing to help! (Just kidding!)… The facility was really such a welcoming and humbling environment and they really loved her there! Although bitter sweet to leave them, she knew that on the last day of her treatment, it was the start of a new journey! Never was she so excited to “Go to chemo!”
So It’s been quite a year for us as a family… I know many (which is sad) can relate, and unfortunately cancer has touched our family on more than one occasion already, but we kept this private while treatments were going on… as this was and still is an emotional topic. Looking back now, (not that we are totally in the clear), but I can definitely say that everything happens for a reason… I am not saying that cancer happened to her for a reason, but there were many events that kept her family close by to her, almost to exact date that she was ending treatment… It’s funny how that happens.
So, after many attempts & fails at trying to schedule a special session for my Mom.. We finally were able to fit one in! And I’m so glad we did! I think her hair is quite beautiful and flattering on her, and I’m sure you’ll agree that she’s rocking it!
Meet my Mom; Margaret, My beautiful best friend (and I truly mean that!), my confidant, my hero, and the woman who has shown me, taught me and instilled in me even more so that strength has an entirely new meaning… Life is beautiful and we can’t sweat the small stuff… She has taught me to always persevere, be truthful, kind and patient… and love life… and is the maker of many of my newborn props for my photography business! I know that she knows this already but I (and I speak for my family) love her very much… and although we were giving her tough love at some points during this process, sometimes you need a little bit of that 🙂 I feel so blessed and lucky to have a mom like her.
So her new chapter begins| In Remission
Just the girls | From left. Your Photographer (me), My Mom, My sister Keri
Her first born| Keri & Mom
Me & My Mom| 2014
Thank you,
Kimberly Jean Photography
Feel free to leave a comment <3 We love hearing from you!
Thank you Nadine!
omg we didnt know god bless u girls u are very special daughters aee u soon, ps i did need the tissues!!
I am so happy to hear that your mom is doing better<3 She is a beautiful and strong women and is lucky to have you all there for her. The pictures are beautiful.
Yes, what better way to begin your ” first blog” as the “first born”… =)
Truly a heartfelt tribute to your strong and beautiful Mother and how your family perseveres during the toughest of times.
Thank you for the inspiration.
Love all the smiles! Each day is a blessing. I can relate (still making lemonade) and this brought tears to my eyes. Wishing you all the best!!
And keeping you in my thoughts for good health too!!
Beautiful first blog post! I loved it! Hope your mom has a successful remission!! Prayers sent her way <3
Special thanks to you for sharing such a heartfelt, personal, and inspirational tribute . Awesome photography, and three beauties. Margaret, you definitely rock your new look. What a great lemonade stand. I’ll have another glass! Love , Hugs and Wishes.
I love your blog…Your mother is a strong woman and I have been in your shoes….it is a long road but remember to live for today and cherish every moment you have…God bless your mom and your family…I will be praying for her….♡
Thank You Allison!!! and thank you for your encouraging words! I’m thinking of your family as well!
I don’t think it’s the hormones, but I am hysterical over here. Your family has always made the best “lemonade” maybe sometimes the proportions are not always “perfect” but they are always the most natural and sweetest lemonade. It has been that way since elementary school. The best part of this whole experience is that you get to see your mother as a woman, not just a mom. Personally, for me, it is my mothers reaction to the “chaotic” times where I learned to roll with the punches and wait for the lesson to be learned. You are just like your mother giving people all around you something they can hold on to and cherish just because you love doing it.
Awww Thank you so much Sarah!!! Such kind words from someone else who I know has traveled down a difficult road… thank you for keeping us in your hearts always! You always know your family is very special to me as well!
So beautiful Kim. Thank you for sharing. I love Cro-Shea!!!! Sending good thoughts your way for continued health, strength, and good times.
Beautiful blog Kim! You are a wonderful person and talented photographer! Your mom and family are in my thoughts and prayers! Xo
To Margaret, I was so sad to learn of your challenges this year. But I will say in all of the 36 years that I’ve known you, I have always thought of you as a strong woman. You certainly proved yourself to be just that. Yet, even more impressive is to see the loving and supportive family you have created. Keri and Kimberly are so lucky to have you as their role model, their mother and friend. For me, this is the greatest definition of success. Congratulations and wishing you continued good health. PS: You look beautiful!
Judy,
Thank you for your thoughts and sentiments. I never thought of myself as being strong but I’m very modest when taking recognition. This experience has made me stronger and realizing that we have to enjoy each day, minute by minute because the next day, life can throw you a curve ball.
These pictures of you and your girls are absolutely gorgeous. So happy that you are feeling great. Red is definitely your color.
A beautiful story about a truly wonderful and beautiful woman.
Kimberly, once again you have truly amazed me with your talents from your craftiness, interior design talents, photography expertise and finally your strength in writing. This is truly beautiful and written from the heart. I can see the teardrops in between the lines!
I read it late last night and again today and it really brought the tears streaming down my face, tears for how you expressed ‘our’ past 7-8 months of the journey we all took including your Dad who even came through for me. I hope we don’t ever have to go through something like this again but if we do, this has just made us all that much stronger.
Luv you and Keri…
Margaret, you, my Nieces and the photographs are beautiful. Kimberly you have captured the moment and documented the journey exquisitely. Gloria and I are glad we had an opportunity to be a part of these difficult moments. May God bless you all with years of health and happiness. Looking forward to seeing you next year. Love, Jim & Gloria
Jim, thank you both for being part of this also. I know it was hard to just pack up and leave but it was so nice to have more family, and special ones at that, by my side.
Can’t wait to see you guys again with your ‘bus’.
Your blog has brought me to tears and touched my heart. I so wish I had taken such beautiful pictures with my mother. You can see the love surrounding you beautiful ladies. Your mother is such an inspiration and shows her strength both inside and out in that first picture. So blessed you are to have each other and share your strength. May you capture endless moments for many years to come. I look forward to seeing more. 🙂
I love everything about this- a beautiful, heartfelt and uplifting story followed by beautiful images! I bet your mom is beaming with pride in addition to her strength. :0)
Kimberly,
I’ve know Mom a lot of years and I knew her to be a very strong, intelligent and lovely lady. It’s no surprise to those of us that watched you and you beautiful sister grow into lovely ladies like your Mom that you both would be the points of strength that would help her threw the toughest journey of all. God Bless you all. Your right, she is looking more beautiful today than ever.
Ronnie
Wow, Ron, thank you so much. You are a great friend and always were so supportive to everyone you met. Thank you for these beautiful comments.
What an unbelievable tribute to a beautiful person inside and out. Margaret many prayers for healing and a long long lifetime of remission. Keep making lemonade and keep crocheting. You are an inspiration to all. Much love and hugs Lauren Scalcione (Micalizzi) xoxo
I have been truly blessed to have met your mom. A true “soldier” and one of the strongest women I have ever met. I know now, where you get your kindness and warmness from. She is tough! Margaret, you are forever and always in our prayers! <3
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