100 Beautiful Things

I bet you thought I wasn't joining in on this one didn't you?
Nope, I was saving it. You see, this time of year always lends itself to retrospection for me. Sunday will be my 8 year cancerversary (and by design also Mother's Day and Olivia's Birthday). Tuesday will be my 31st birthday. It's a good week.
So in honor of life, I give you 100 beautiful things in mine.

Family:

*Craig
*My marriage -I am truly blessed beyond measure
*Lindsay-the mini-theologian
*Bailey- aspiring beauty queen
*Olivia- total silliness
*The memory of my father
*The company of my mother
*The laughter of my brothers
*The image of my father superimposed onto my youngest brother's face
*My sisters-not of my flesh, but with a bond as deep

Friends of silver and gold:

*Stephanie-proof that true friends stay
*Joanne-sometimes more me than I am myself
*Heather-an old soul in a young woman's body
*Stacey-so beautiful even she doesn't see it
*Natalie-strength of spirit that shines
*Skipper-teaching the meaning of perseverence
* Linda-teaching me simply by living every day for God
*Jamie-remembering that "old women" still giggle.
*Laurie-walks beside me and holds my hand
*Craig-beside whom, all other friendships pale

Events

*Family Dinners
*summers at Grandma's Lake
*Christmas in August with my Dad
*Watching to Kill a Mockingbird with my Dad
*AP English-Senior Year (I still have the academic award hanging on my wall)
*Graduating from High School
*Hanging out with "the posse"
*Co-ed naked Bungee Jumping (or at least the idea of it)
*RA rolling
*A Mid-Summer Night's Dream
*Hooter Chowder! Hooter Chowder!
*Valentines Day 1992
*Valentines Day 1993
*Early Music Consort
*Dec. 22nd, 1994-in front of God and family
*Cancun
*Nov. 1995-sealed
*Valentines Day 1997-the day I finished chemo
*feeling the wind in my hair for the first time
* the first time Lindsay moved
*Dec. 9, 1997-the day we met Lindsay face to face
* the first time Bailey moved
*Dec 1, 1998-the day we met Bailey face to face
*feeling Olivia move for the first time
*May 9, 2000-the day we met Olivia face to face
*May 9, 2001- Olivia's first birthday, Daytona Beach Race for the Cure, My 5 year cancerversary
*Christmas at my mom's, every year
*June 3, 2002-baptized in the river, by the man I love.
*June 2003, Washington DC-National Race for the Cure with my sistahs
*Today-it's a gift, don't take it for granted

Experiences

*standing by the ocean
*swimming with the manatees
*smelling roses from craig
*watching a play or musical
*singing
*sitting in the sun (say what you want about skin cancer--I will bask until the day I draw my last breath)
*laying in bed with the windows open and the moon shining in
*afternoon naps
*laying in bed in the morning
*cuddling
*Kissing Craig (and whatever it leads to)
*holding hands
*the weight of a child in my lap
*morning snuggles with a wee one
*breast feeding
*baby sighs
*puppy breath
*swimming
*floating
*skinny dipping under the stars
*boating slowly down the river
*Skimming across the lake
*riding in a convertible
*candle light
*good music-of any kind
*starting a new book
*finishing a good book
* a good cry
*laughter
* cake filled with candles
*the smell of coffee
*apple pie
*my first cup of coffee every day
*good conversation
*worship
*hearing/watching craig preach
*good mail
*thunderstorms (dare I go so far as hurricanes?)
*snow
*life after cancer

The Specifics


*The Poetry of Robert Frost
*To Kill a Mockingbird
*"Blessed be the Name of the Lord"
*Sting
*The poetry of ee cummings
*"He Reigns"
* "Breathe"
*Smetana's "Moldau"
* A Circle of Quiet
* The Dark Tower

Comments

[michelle]

Wow!!

You brought tears to my eyes. You have made me think about being more thankful in my life. You are amazing. I want to know God like you do.

[amanda]

that is such a pretty list. you seem like such a great person.

[Jamie/Tookshire]

Old? I get props for being OLD? {mumble} I've only four years on you don't I? LOL...Thanks sweetie.

[Skipper]

Hey there.

I'm sooo missing all of you.

[AGK]

Wish I knew you in real life, Dana. You are so wonderful inside and out! (((HUGS)))

[Steph]

So glad I gave you memorable moments. (co-ed naked bungee jumping, RA rolling...) They make me smile too! ;) And you know what? True friends DO stay - as your presence regularly proves back to me!!

[naomi]

Beautiful....just like you.....(hugs)

[Melissa]

You're one sweetie....oh, re-opened my blog. It's on my main page now...my URL is it!

[Keri]

A beautifully selected list. Thank you for sharing it, Dana.

[Heather]

wow

i think your list shamed my list

[Nattie-dahling]

*sniff* I made your beautiful list. *sniff* I'm still working on my list. In fact, I don't remember what I did with it. Oy!

[Heather/DancinButterfly]

I so wish we lived closer you are so awesome i look up to you. You are such a woman of God I love you

[Stacey]

I may have to break down and do this over the weekend. It will take that long for me to come up with the list and narrow it down. :-) I loved your list sweetie. The categories, the choices, the ideas...and I have to admit I blush to be counted. :-D thoughts....