After 31 years...

So, today was a great day. When it is 80 degrees and sunny, it is always a great day to me. The other reason is because I met two of my relatives on the Reed side. Janie is a second cousin (i think), and she and her husband Jerry live here in Atlanta. She is absolutely wonderful. She is just like Betty (for Olevia, Lori, and Pat). She is actually a pretty remarkable story. She is in the hospital right now finishing up her last treatments against lukemia. She is now cancer free! The doctors are waiting for her white blood cell count to go up so she can leave. She is also a ovarian cancer survivor -- that was in the last two years. She looks great, is positive and happy, and has a contagious laugh. She and Jerry were so fun to visit. After three and a half hours, I figured I should let them rest; although, I could have stayed for another three hours. This is the first time I have ever met them, and it was wonderful. I only wish I could have met them earlier. Mom, dad, and I hope to visit them one more time before I leave Georgia.

I also have to write that I am so thankful about my mom. We had a scare a few weeks ago with her. She had some melanoma (sp?) in her leg. The doctor removed it and a lymph node, and we were pretty scared. The results came back, and everything was negative for cancer! I am so so so thankful. Cancer runs rampant in our family so it is something we have to be very conscious of. My mom is my absolute best friend, and I love her so much. When scares like that happen, it really puts things in perspective and makes you realize how insignificant so many day-to-day troubles are. Seeing Janie and her great attitude was a reminder of that as well. I am so thankful for my great family, their strong faith, and great attitudes. I am blessed.