Thursday

January 1, 2026

Happy New Year!!! I don't have anything new to share about Merkel and me so today will truly be a "Thursday Thoughts" with a selection of random views and vignettes that I thought I'd share. 

A new year means we are all getting another year older, at some point.  There are three things this year that are going to make me feel very old indeed. #3, I am now an official Medicare recipient as of today.  All three ID cards have come (Medicare card, insurance supplement card, and pharmacy RX card) and I will spend the next few months updating every one of my doctors about my insurance changes. #2, I will be turning 65 in 21 days and will be an official senior citizen, eligible for every senior discount available. #1, the thing that is going to make me feel the oldest, every student who was in my first sixth grade class in 1987-1988, at Ramona, will be turning 50 this year. OUCH!!!  

I actually don't mind getting older. I believe I've shared before that my father, grandfather, and great grandfather all died at 50. For a long time, I assumed that would be my fate, too.  When I made it past those years, I thanked God for giving me "bonus" years and I've thanked Him every year since. 2025 was bonus year 15, and I appreciate every year that God grants me. I'm hoping for 25 more. It's up to God, obviously, but Cathy told me I lived 45 years without her, and I had to live with her for 45 to balance it all out. The next milestone to pass is 70 and 8 months, the age my mom passed. 

Of course, turning the page to a new year also gives you a chance to reflect back. 2025 was not the year I expected. January 30th was the day I received the phone call that it wasn't a cyst they took out of my tush, but something called Merkel cell carcinoma. Something that seemed so mundane had suddenly become very serious. God blessed me with wisdom in getting the "cyst" removed and then blessed me again with new doctors who could take care of me. February 26, I had surgery to remove any remaining cancer, and then on April 7th I started radiation therapy. Five weeks later I was ringing the bell and, as far as we know, I am still cancer free, 7+ months later. 

I started this blog on February 19, back filling with entries from January 30.  Today's entry is my 31st overall. It has been a blessing to be able to share what I've gone through and I how I've leaned on God throughout. I hope none of you have cancer in the future, but if that phone call comes for you, maybe some of things I've shared from my journey can assist you in yours. I will always make myself available to anyone who needs to talk about their journey. 

As I look toward the new year I'm reminding of the song "I Don't Know What the Future Holds." The chorus is...

I don't know what the future holds
But I know who holds the future
I don't know what tomorrow brings
But He brings it all together
All I know this is love
And I can't get enough of Your love

I keep my trust in God.

Philippians 1:6... And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 3:5-6... Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on you own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. 

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