The past three weeks have been full, ending with the start of cycle 2 of my chemotherapy, i.e., infusions on April 26 and 27.  I will save that for the next posting, though, because April was full of adventure and fun that made so many days special and made memories that will continue to brighten many days in the future.

Friends Bring Light from Near and Far

April included visits from two friends, one from Ohio who visited for the weekend and another from Michigan who came for 10 days.  My fellow Buckeye came for emotional support, and we enjoyed a lazy weekend spent mostly on the couch, talking, watching a movie, and just enjoying each other’s company.  She even drove me to Costco to get some things I needed.  Ah, having a friend along can even make a trip to Costco refresh my spirit!

My other friend (who was a fellow Buckeye but married one of those Michiganders – go BUCKS!) came for a vacation that was originally supposed to be about her and a loss she suffered in 2016 – the death of her 18-year-old son.  At the end of last year, we booked a week-long cruise to the Caribbean, but in March my oncologist politely suggested that I cancel so I could be close to home in case of any significant side effects from the chemotherapy.  After mourning the lost opportunity to get a break from the long, cold winter and enjoy the Caribbean sunshine, we made alternate plans to visit Bedford County, Pennsylvania.  After all, the most important reason for the trip was time with someone I have known for 35 years (!!) and who brings comfort with nothing more than the familiarity that we share.  (More below on the fun time we had in Bedford.)

Before I get to that, though, I would be remiss if I did not mention the outpouring of love through cards and emails that has brightened many a day.  In this electronic world, emails and texts are great ways to connect and share.  I have to say, though, that it is a particularly bright moment to open the mailbox and find a letter or card from a loved one – it is like it carries a piece of that person straight from her hand to yours and connects you in a way that does not quite carry over the electronic wave lengths.  As you can see, I have had many days full of such bright connections.

Thank you all for helping brighten my days!!

Enjoying Bedford County, Pennsylvania – The Days Were Bright, Even When the Sky Was Not

Our five-night adventure into Bedford was a refreshing one.  We stayed at the Omni Resort, which I have enjoyed for a couple of one-night stays in the past.  Curtis and I stayed there in March, shortly before my chemotherapy started and, after that visit, I would love to go back time and time again for the food and the amazing swimming pool.

My April stay only confirmed that the food and swimming pool are worth it.  (The rooms are comfortable and spacious, too.)  The Crystal Room offers delicious supper options, and our entire dinner on the night we arrived was amazing . . . the coconut soufflé was definitely the highlight of the night.

The breakfast buffet in the Crystal Room is unparalleled by any other restaurant I have visited, including hotel restaurants and also special-event breakfast buffets.

The town of Bedford is very cute with a lot of unique shops and restaurants.  Our favorite restaurant, which we found toward the end of the week, was Horn O’ Plenty, a very cozy farm-to-table restaurant.

We spent a couple of rainy days wandering around town and visiting the shops.  In the Alpaca Shop, I found a completely unexpected, immediate stress reliever:

As cute as this little guy – who I named Bedford – may be, it is his softness that immediately took me to a bright, happy place on an otherwise dreary day.  Bedford now sits on my home office desk, ready at any moment to jump into my lap and relieve the stress of any day.  (For those who love animals as much as I do, rest assured that animals are not harmed in making Bedford and others like him.)

Bedford County is a beautiful place, even in the pre-spring-more-like-winter-weather that we experienced during most of our stay.  The weather did cooperate on one day, reaching almost 70 degrees and giving us enough sunshine to explore and take photographs of the 14 covered bridges of Bedford County.  A few of them are quite beautiful.

Light for the Days to Come

This morning I received a text from one of my oldest and dearest friends, who also sent me a very heartwarming letter this week.  It was a great way to start the day.  I look forward to those connections – not just during my chemotherapy, but continuing . . . well, forever.  The experiences shared and memories made with friends and loved ones are treasures that can lighten even the most challenging of days.  Life just gets better as we fill our minds and hearts with those experiences and memories that allow us to cherish the positive instead of being oppressed by the challenges we all face.  I am looking forward to as many new and wonderful experiences as I can tolerate in the coming months (and beyond)!