I hate the wind, but Gem takes a different approach. She has a way of reminding me to look for another perspective.
Last week the wind was still cold, but it was also exhilarating.
Of course, being able to nuzzle into Daddy’s coat just makes it that much better.
I hope this made you smile.
This weekend’s adventure took us to Vashon Island, meaning, with all the emphasis my bouncing 2-year-old can provide, TWO FERRY RIDES. TWO! (That’s round trip to the island for those of you keeping score. I’ve already been questioned on the count.)
Yes, that’s me. I do appear in photo’s on rare occasions (when someone grabs my camera before I can hide behind it). And look – my hair is growing back! I need a stylist, STAT!
Vashon is full of art galleries, restaurants, farms, cafes, and some of the coolest little shops we’ve ever come across.
How cool is that fridge?
SWOON!
And what’s an island without a lighthouse?
And a stunning water view
from a cottage on the beach
On days like this, I feel like I could be an island girl.
In the cold, dark, fear of 3 a.m., when the cancer patient is most alone, I found ToddlerPlanet, a blog written by cancer fighting princess warrior, awesome mommy, and astrophysicist, Susan Niebur (also known as @whymommy).
Days after my diagnosis, before I learned to reign in my imagination and to view Dr.Google for what it is, I found Susan’s blog. I read for hours: post after post, page after page. It seemed she was speaking directly to me, addressing my personal concerns about life, death, love, cancer, and most important to me at that moment, the well being of my child. No sensationalism, just an honest look at life and parenting as impacted by cancer.
It would be difficult and frustrating, and at times, extremely painful, she seemed to say, but my days would still be full of love and joy, and I can still be an awesome mom, and my child can still be happy. I read those pages through tears; I was so relieved and hopeful. In the two years since then, we formed an internet friendship, tweeting and commenting on each other’s blog posts. The internet has made possible friendships between people who have never met.
Who will never meet.
Today I read her blog again through tears. Susan passed away today. She touched so many lives, her husband and little boys, her friends and family, the science community, the blogging community, the cancer and health advocacy community… and me, a girl at a computer Seattle, whose life was blessed by knowing her, even though we never met.
Is it just me, or does the moon seem to be a bit bigger and brighter tonight? I’m going to think of it as Susan’s moon.
Thank you, Susan, for the love and hope and strength you shared with all of us. Godspeed.
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You can learn more about my cancer story here:
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“What do you want to do?”
“I don’t know. What do you want to do?”
We could go back and forth for hours, but we’ve found a better solution for filling our weekends with adventure. We just hop in the car and drive. We pick a road and see where it goes, the smaller and more out-of-the-way town that we discover, the better. One of our favorite little local towns to visit is Black Diamond, Washington.
We start with breakfast in the bakery, and maybe even pick up some treats to go on our way out.
Then we wander down the boardwalk to the museum.
I love a small town museum, with it’s antique fire engine
and jail.
Then we stop by to visit the old train
before we head in to the main part of the museum
filled with the details of small mining town daily life,
from the barber shop,
to pen and ink,
and from monkey wrenches (so that’s what keeps getting thrown into the works),
to Hard Hat Harry.
But one of my favorite parts of this museum is their collection of unidentifiable tools.
Any idea what these are for? Don’t worry. The old timers don’t know either.
Do you have any favorite Pacific Northwest towns to visit? Where should we go next?
It snowed!
I love the hush that comes with the snow. So peaceful.
