Childhood, Family, Favorite Things, Grief, Life, Photography, What I Kept

what i kept – december 2023

Kari

these are the things i kept on my phone in the month of december.

click here to read previous posts.

i wish i could go back to november’s problems.

when I first started blogging, my dad bought this ornament for me.
christmas day
i recorded a video of the snow falling on the day we found out that my dad had lung cancer. this is something i will never forget. that i was happy to see the fat, fluffy snowflakes just a few hours before receiving life-changing news.

my dad has lung cancer, but we don’t know the full extent of his condition. he is scheduled to have a pet scan this week. more information will be available once those results become available and he meets with his oncologist. the good news is that he has returned home and is so glad to be there.

thank you so much for your kind words, energy, reiki, and prayers. we feel your support as we navigate this unfamiliar territory. 🖤

Discover more from A Grace Full Life

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

58 thoughts on “what i kept – december 2023”

  2. Thank you for sharing a slice of your life with us. Sending prayer for your father. 🙏 If he may be open to adjunct therapies, my aunt (a long-time reiki practitioner for cancer patients at a major hospital) recently used mistletoe IV therapy to treat her breast cancer with success and now recommends it to many of her patients. No side effects or contraindications with chemo, radiation, etc. I hope, as you learn more, the prognosis is good.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for taking the time to read.
      Thank you for also sharing this alternative. I love that there are so many different cancer treatments available now that give hope to people in hopeless situations.

      I hope for that same thing, my friend. 😘❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  4. I’m very sorry, Kari. Hope it’s an early, very treatable stage. The falling snow is soothing. As are the IKEA Swedish meatballs, in their own weird way.

    Sending continued positive energy your way.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. I’m sorry for your family and your Dad’s cancer. I’m glad he was able to come home. Last year, my mom passed after only five days of asymptomatic COVID. I didn’t have time to process or say good-bye. Love and prayers to you and yours!

    Liked by 1 person

  12. OMG Kari, that second photo down of the plate full of food (looks like Thanksgiving Day?), looks AMAZING! My mouth is watering! Especially those mashed potatoes with gravy!

    Love the piece on TRUST!

    That photograph outside your window (eith a sunrise or a sunset) is spectacular!

    Beautiful rendition of “In My Life”!

    And I love that you were able to bring the dog into the hospital room. Such a sweet photo!

    Okay, and that word for the day by Stephen King is STELLAR and so true! I’m going to copy it and read it often.

    Please know that I am continually sending Reiki and love to you and your Dad!

    Hang in there, dear friend!

    X

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That food plate is from IKEA! My friend and I went there to celebrate her birthday in early December, and we had a great time.

      That piece is also one of my favorites. That’s how I feel about everyone here.

      That beautiful sunrise happened on the morning when I found out about my dad’s bone scan. It felt like receiving a hug from a childhood friend who died in 2022.

      That dog was a hospital comfort animal, and he was immediately drawn to my mom. I had to take a photo.

      Isn’t that Stephen King quote beautiful? I’d like to print it and frame it.

      I know you are sending it, my dear friend. I appreciate you. I’m sending so much love back to you. 😘

      Like

  13. I hope you and your family have been feeling my love, prayers and reiki energy. Can’t wait to see you and give you a big hug in person. xoxo

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Oh, Kari. That “oh” is a long, long exhalation, as I think I was holding my breath through this whole post. Why does it so often take fear and loss to help us see how fucking beautiful so much of life is? I want to believe we don’t have to experience loss (or the fear of loss) to see it. I see it in all your photos. I sure wish I could give the woman in that selfie a hug. And take her back to November, even if just for a day. Sending you so much love.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. RIGHT??

      My mom and I were discussing the term “terminal” and how we are all terminal here on Earth, aren’t we? This diagnosis has resulted in a lot of deep (good) conversations. There has been a lot of good among all the bad.

      Thank you for that love. We feel it. 😘❤️

      Like

  17. Hugs to you and your family. It will be a difficult road ahead, but you have the tools to handle it. May peace find its way to your heart. (And if you find yourself in Milwaukee, please ask if you need help with anything.)

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Oh goodness. This is so hard. I’ll be praying for all of you to have strength, for the cancer to be treatable, and for the doctors to be the very best with the warmest of bedside manners.

    Love the photos. The first one looks like the dogs are watching TV together. So cute.

    Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Oh Kari, I am so very sorry to hear your father has cancer. As Mark said, may it be early and treatable, and may you all get to enjoy a lot more time together.

    Thank you for the alternative version of ‘In My Life’ which has become one of my favourites.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We’ll find out where everything stands tomorrow, so we’re hoping for the best.

      My dad loves The Beatles, and I had found that version before he got sick. Every Beatles song reminds me of my dad. 💕

      Like

  20. Your dad’s sweet smile from his hospital bed is everything. Sending love in his direction. Praying that things aren’t so bad, and he can have more good days ahead instead of not.
    Wishing for November’s problems, that says so much. Love you my friend. XOXO

    Liked by 1 person

  22. I’m so sorry, Kari. That is a devastating diagnosis. The waiting to hear what next steps are is So difficult. I’m glad your Dad was able to go home and be with loved ones.

    I enjoyed your pictures. Just today, I was on a website showing closeups of snowflakes. The geometric perfection is really amazing and only increases my faith. That cannot be random. And that soup . . . I actually have a Greek meatball and couscous soup defrosting in my fridge for myself tonight.

    And now I want to know, who’s Brad?

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Kari, I’ve thought of you since you alluded to your dad’s health issue days ago, and am so sorry to know of the cancer diagnosis.

    As you do each month, you’ve assembled a beautiful collage of the month’s notable moments and inspirations. May these be of support to you as you navigate the journey with your dad.

    I thought the cover of “In My Life” was so gentle, and no doubt has been comforting in this time of so many thoughts on your dad. I loved the photo of ice crystals, too. And the blood delivery van reminded me I’m overdue to donate.

    May you and all your family feel held by those near you, and those “virtually near.” 🙏🏼

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Aw Kari. I wish I could give you a big hug. Thank you for sharing this post filled with so much meaning and beauty. The quote from Marie Beynon Ray is perfect. It sums up everything I’ve learned the past 10 years. Live now. Hug now. Call now. Do now. And the book excerpt on Being Seen & Seeing Others. Yes! It is amazing what comes out of pausing and really seeing & sharing a real moment with the people, the animals, the plants, the places we love. And I think we can also do this in our mind’s eye. Sending you & your dad & your family so much love and healing. ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s fascinating that at this point in my life, I’m more present than I’ve ever been. Every day, I am faced with a wide range of emotions. I wake up, and when I come to, I realize what my current situation is, and I become sad again. I don’t want to grieve my dad while he is still alive, but it’s so difficult not to.

      Thank you so much for that love, Maddie. 😘❤️

      Like

Comments are closed.