On July 25, 2019, we got the news: “No cancer! They got it all.” Obviously, we were delighted with the news on the phone call.
Two weeks earlier, Elizabeth had surgery to remove her left kidney, which an 8cm mass had engulfed. It was “accidentally” discovered during an ER visit for another matter. The doctors told us there was no other option, and the kidney and four lymph nodes were surgically removed and then tested. Two weeks later, a joyous call from Dr. Jepson to tell us the good news. The mass on the kidney was, indeed, cancerous, and it wasn’t the good kind, but it had not spread.
Every six months for two years — and now once a year — Elizabeth treks to the doctor to get a scan and bloodwork to confirm the good news, again and again.
And, on the 25th of every month, we celebrate the phone call—every 25th, whether at home, traveling, or even when family and friends are with us. January 25, 2023, is the 42nd consecutive celebration of that anniversary.
Yes, we relish the celebration. And we are grateful and give God thanksgiving for that time in our lives.
We observe the time and the challenge, remember the overcoming journey and revel in how it has grown and even changed us.
We celebrate birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries, and other special days, but nothing is as rich and memorable as when the 25th of each month rolls around. We do not miss that date.
Celebration inspires you and builds anticipation, but it does much more than that. Celebration…
- Can turn your fear into faith. God does good things.
- Causes you to be grateful, and that can change your life, according to scientific studies.
- Helps you sleep better.
- Improves your emotional and spiritual well-being.
- Builds confidence and positivity.
Most of us find it easy to “celebrate” the negative things in our lives. We think about them, dwell on them, wallow in them, and they drag us down and hold us back. Yes, it can be a matter of perspective — and persistence. We make an intentional choice and must be more intentional about celebrating the good stuff.
You may not have a cancer-free scan to celebrate, but you have something to celebrate. You probably have lots of somethings! You don’t have to do it every 25th or even every month. But be intentional. Here are some things you can celebrate:
- Milestones. Whether it’s business, personal, or family, these are important.
- Friendships. Perhaps you want to mark the occasion you met someone.
- Something with your finances. (e.g., getting out of debt, paying off a bill/mortgage, not using credit cards, etc.)
- A victory. This can be something you do annually or monthly. Or maybe you celebrate a significant achievement that happened years ago.
- Finishing a project (e.g., school graduation, degree, building a house, moving across the country.)
- Something spiritual. There are all types of things to celebrate, and you can observe them every month or every year.
Perhaps even more importantly, celebrate the little things and the things that are already on your calendar. For example, an anniversary or birthday or the day you met someone. Get a bowl of ice cream, reminisce, and think about the good times, the bad times, and the other times.
Observe, remember and revel.