{"id":1892,"date":"2010-07-27T23:48:20","date_gmt":"2010-07-28T06:48:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/coffeejitters.net\/blog\/?p=1892"},"modified":"2014-12-04T00:22:02","modified_gmt":"2014-12-04T07:22:02","slug":"dear-gem-month-16","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/coffeejitters.net\/blog\/2010\/07\/27\/dear-gem-month-16\/","title":{"rendered":"Dear Gem – Month 16"},"content":{"rendered":"

I recently heard a quote that really resonated with me:<\/p>\n

Life is not waiting for the storm to pass, it’s learning to dance in the rain.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I love the way this is stated, and it’s one of those life lessons that I really want you to understand. \u00a0Your life is never going to be perfect. \u00a0There will always be something that is not quite right, sometimes worse than others. \u00a0You can’t just tell yourself that “things will be better when…”, or I’ll get on with my life after….” \u00a0Live Now – regardless of what’s going on in your life.<\/p>\n

Besides, dancing in the rain can be a lot of fun.<\/p>\n

Kissing in the rain is pretty awesome too – but, you’ll wait another 20 years to find that out. \u00a0Right?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As I”m writing this letter I’m sitting in a big hospital recliner as the chemo drips into me. \u00a0It’s not my favorite way to spend an afternoon, I’d rather not have to deal with this at all. \u00a0But it’s not all that bad either. \u00a0It’s nowhere near as bad as my imagination made it out to be back when I was diagnosed. \u00a0It’s interesting how the imagination tends to run towards best case and worst case scenarios, and spends very little time in the middle ground where most of reality exists.<\/p>\n

An imagination is a wonderful thing – and I hope you develop yours and put it to good use. \u00a0It is also a power that can be abused; be sure to use this power for good and not evil. \u00a0Let your imagination run free as you are generating new ideas, but when it comes time to applying these ideas to real world applications, then it’s time to do some research. And by research, I don’t mean disregard everything that doesn’t support your point of view. \u00a0Seriously. \u00a0If you come across evidence that disproves your theory, chase it down. \u00a0Do not ignore it. \u00a0It is so important to educate yourself on the whole issue; failing to do so will damage your credibility. \u00a0And lets face it, there will be times in your life when your credibility is all you have to offer. \u00a0Take good care of it.<\/p>\n

\/lecture<\/p>\n

Sorry about that, sometimes I get on my soapbox and prattle on about things not one else really wants to discuss. \u00a0But then that’s why I have a blog.<\/p>\n

You had your first overnight stay away from us this month. \u00a0Daddy and I went camping with friends and you stayed with Grandma for two nights. \u00a0That must have been a lot of fun for you. \u00a0I’m sure Grandma enjoyed it as well. Grandma is awesome and all, but still, three days and two nights away from you wasn’t easy. \u00a0You, on the other hand, seemed to think it was pretty cool. \u00a0Good for you.<\/p>\n

I love that you are so adaptable. \u00a0I keep hearing that kids need routine and they need things to be the same all the time, but that doesn’t seem to be the case with you, my little adventurous one. \u00a0Adaptability is another one of those life skills that will take you places, and make your life a lot more interesting, fun, and easier too. The adaptability makes it easier for us to travel with you, which means more adventures for you, too.<\/p>\n

We spent this past weekend in Bellingham, and we had a wonderful time. \u00a0Your adaptability makes it so easy for us to travel with you. \u00a0You love and adventure, and so do we.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

You love to dance and you get to bouncing and swinging around whenever you hear music. Tonight you figured out that you could make yourself dizzy by spinning in circles. \u00a0You spent the longest time spinning and giggling and falling down, then getting up and doing it over again.<\/p>\n

You are learning so much every day and your vocabulary is just exploding. \u00a0You can say all different parts of the body: Eye, nose, ear, toes, foot, belly. \u00a0You know one and two. \u00a0You are getting better about using the sign for thank you when we give you things. You love to give hugs and kisses, and you warn us that we are going to get a kiss by announcing it first. \u00a0And you are so loving and sweet to your dolls and stuffed animals. \u00a0You give them hugs and kisses, and rock them and sing and talk to them. You try to share your cookies and water with them too. \u00a0You are becoming such a sweet little girl.<\/p>\n

You bring so much joy to our lives. \u00a0Being your mother makes me want to be a better person. \u00a0You inspire me.<\/p>\n

I love you.<\/p>\n

Mommy<\/p>\n

Read more Letters to Gem<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I recently heard a quote that really resonated with me: Life is not waiting for the storm to pass, it’s learning to dance in the rain. I love the way this is stated, and it’s one of those life lessons that I really want you to understand. \u00a0Your life is never going to be perfect. 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