who's got a beard that's long and white? santa's got a beard that's long and white. who comes around on a special night? santa comes around on a special night. special night, beard that's white. must be santa, must be santa, must be santa, santa claus. ....reindeer sleigh, come our way, ho ho ho, cherry nose, cap on head, suit that's red, special night, beard that's white. ....dasher, dancer, prancer, vixen, comet, cupid donner, blitzen, must be santa, santa claus " i like the version that bob dylan does on his Christmas album, Christmas in the heart

i guess  you can tell that i have a little grandson in my family now! i get to sing fun songs( well, play them anyway),visit  the toy section( not that i did not sneak a peek before i had a grandchild) and generally share the christmas magic through the eyes of a child again. with all of the unspeakable tragedy that has come about lately, it is a reminder that life is indeed precious, and we should appreciate each and every day. the most important take away from having had  cancer is that i realize this fact, and have tried my best to incorporate it into my every day living. not that i am perfect by any means. i still let little stuff, usually at work, bother me more than it should. i rush around and do not always take the time to notice the good, little stuff that is all around us. i also worry too much about, well, everything. i think that i am stuck with the worrying thing, but i am making some progress on realizing what is really important, and appreciating the beauty around us.

on several blogs i have noticed that the authors give tips for " avoiding those holiday pounds". well, guess what? you will not read about that here! enjoy the good food- all things in moderation of course. it is a gift to be able to cook something special for your loved ones during the holidays. when i see my family really enjoying a special meal or dish that i have prepared for them, well, it makes my heart sing. the way i see it, we can all go back to healthy eating when we make our new year's resolutions. now, do you not feel better? so the advice here, is have that slice of pecan pie, or whatever, and enjoy it to the fullest! probably best to stop with one piece,though, but do not deny yourself one of life's simple pleasures.

i want to thank everyone who has been reading my blog this year and wish you all merry christmas/happy chanukah or whatever holiday(s) that you celebrate. i wish everyone much happiness during the holidays,  and if i could give everyone one gift, i would give you  the gift of time. that is one thing that we all need more of, isn't it? i will try to write more blogs this year that are interesting and helpful to cancer patients at all stages in our journey. when i was first diagnosed, ideas for  blogs just came pouring out. and i had so much to talk about- diagnosis, treatment, etc. now, i am sort of at a turning point in my journey( i prefer this over the word " disease") i still have the every six months testing to deal with, but in a way i feel like, o..k. what now? the doctors have fixed my boat up, done what they could, and set me back upon the water again. my life has changed in many ways, as i have said. most of them good. i am a two year cancer survivor, but i still think about having cancer every day. i try my best to be motivated and positive, and i am fortunate that i get to counsel patients at work on having hypothyroid disease, and yes, sometimes, thyroid cancer. i feel like i am making a difference- a small one, but a difference none the less.

i received an email from an organization that i think might be helpful to other cancer patients. it offers support through homemade( and beautiful) cards. the website address is: http://www.cardcareconnection.com. i think that sending  a beautifully hand made card is a nice way to show support for a cancer patient. my daughter's students ( she teaches ninth grade english, bless her!)  all made me  cards before i had my surgery. i just can not say how much those have meant to me. so, check it out and enjoy.