This is a special Christmas for Dave and I, not only because it is our first Christmas as a married couple, but an opportunity to be with family, thus, a gift.
The word gift has several meanings and for some it is about receiving or giving a present, for others experiencing a miracle, trusting in God, and for others a gift is being with those you love; life and love are a gift themselves.
According to Wikipedia, “a gift or a present is the transfer of something without the expectation of receiving something in return. Although gift-giving might involve an expectation of reciprocity, a gift is meant to be free”.
So yes, a gift is meant to be free since it evokes a positive reaction (a smile, a laugh, a hug, a word of gratitude, tears of joy, etc).

On Christmas Eve while millions of people get together to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ I encourage you to take some minutes and make a list of all the gifts you have received in your life, include everything that comes to your mind, don’t forget the sweater or socks that your aunt or grandma gave to you on your birthday or Christmas. Think about all gifts that have brought a positive reaction and have drawn a smile on you.

I feel very fortunate. I have been blessed with many gifts this year and I am grateful for that.

I wish you a beautiful and wonderful Christmas,

Love, Bea

A great idea to turn the routine into a fun and musical day.

After ten days of waiting to hear the biopsy results of a lymph node removed from my neck, on November 22 we were driving towards the doctor’s office. It was a grey and rainy day.

Days before my appointment, Dave and I talked about all possible scenarios and perhaps it is his military background but he said something that completely calmed me down: “Let’s hope for the best, but be ready for the worst”

So there we were at the doctor’s office hoping for the best. I was very calmed so was Dave. The doctor sat in front of us -I still remember his words- and said: “I am so so sorry to tell you this news, but unfortunately you have Hodgking’s Lymphoma”.

My first reaction was to close my eyes and cry. I was somehow ready and “prepared” to hear bad news so I carefully listened to the doctor and asked many questions. Dave and I left the office sad but thinking about next steps.

Hodgking’s Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer , each year about 8,000 people in the US are diagnosed with this disease. This type of cancer has a good prognosis and great survival rates. Although the causes of the lymphoma are unknown and perhaps multifactorial, it is a treatable and curable cancer and I am going to beat it.

I have gone through all the emotions you can imagine, it is not easy to digest a news of this sort considering that I look healthy, I take care of my diet and I exercise regularly. There is no point for me to think about why me or the unfairness of life. It is clear to me that the road to heal starts with a positive mind, the attitude of a fighter.

In this sense, this blog is a way to share those things that feed the spirit  and the mind in order to heal the body.

I am grateful for all the blessings I have received and for those that I will receive. I am grateful that I have an incredible husband, great doctors and the support and love of family and friends.

This is a journey and I am hoping and praying for the best!!!