That’s us, to the right. Two years ago today.
Moments after sharing the bad news with Luba.

So early in a surreal journey.

Behind that smile, a big part of me thought life was over. All of me hoped it was just beginning.

We headed to Quebec City that week. As planned.  I tossed and turned in the hotel bed, hoping I’d somehow fall asleep before Lucy, Bayla and Mark finished watching “The Corpse Bride”, “Beetlejuice”, “Edward Scissorhands” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas”.

I was awoken, one of those nights, by a ringing thought: This was the beginning of “The Spicy Me”.

Before this ordeal, my aim was to get through life. To make it to some far off end without losing any of the fabulousness I’d stumbled into. New territories and aspirations were reserved for Luba. As a matter of course.

Two years ago today, I opened my eyes.
I became alert. Aware. Present.
Grateful plus.

I started examining. And choosing. And imagining more.

The two years since then have brought trauma and mourning, recovery and joy. I’ve made friends. I’ve taken chances. I’ve explored new territories. I’ve become the Spicy Me.

I’d never choose cancer. I never want it again. For any one.

And I’m supremely grateful for the efflorescing goodness I’ve been treated to since that mind-boggling beginning. Two years ago today.

I’m aspiring to many, many more good years.
By the way.

I’m not big on the actual event. Trick or treating. Candy. Dealing with the door.

But I adore the month-long preparations.

The colours. The crafts. The googly-eyed desserts.
The rhyming, creativity-packed picture books. The manic costume creation.

Two years ago today, as I prepared for those long-awaited test-results, we splurged on Hallowe’en. Filling our craft-store basket, despite the expense.

I thought it was my last Hallowe’en.

It wasn’t.

Lucky, lucky me.

Look what the postman just delivered.

A cozy, upbeat reminder of our dearly missed Jack. Straight from his beloved T.O.

Peace…. Love…. Jack Layton.

Perfect.

Thank you, Kingi. Thank you, Jack.

Related Links:

• We’ll Rebuild Jack Too
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Thank you, Mark!

A lot’s gone on in the past twelve years.

Hopes and upheaval. Disappointments. Triumphs. In work, relationships, parenting and health.

And through it all, there’s been a weekly evening with Jay.

Sanity. Sage advice. Laughter. Perspective.

Whatever the week brings, my evening with Jay makes it better. Those evenings make me better.

I think sometimes about our 18-years-younger selves. Saying our first hellos. With 7,550 km and ten provinces of cycling ahead of us. And all we never dreamed about those next 18 years.

And I think of the years ahead of us now. The venting and celebrating of our sixty-something selves.

And that makes me smile.

Thank you, Jay.
And thank you, Mark, for making those evenings possible. All these years.

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Library loans have been strictly forbidden from our book-crammed, chaotic home. Until now.

This week, Lucy and Bayla got their first library cards.

Lucy’s a big-time reader. So, she was pleased.

Bayla’s a big-time shopper. And a bigger-time geek. So, she’s been over the moon.

Audio books. Wii games. Wii nights. Board game nights. NFB Fridays.

And, above all, surfing the catalogue. Selecting, “holding” and swiping out.

And flipping Eva Ibbotson CDs in and out of the boombox.

Hope this habit’s a long one.

(and fabulous, free health care)

Huge thanks for your good vibes and for our good fortune.

xo xo xo

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