EPILOGUE 

Are you the type of girl who reads the epilogue first?

Or the kind who takes delight in surprise?

And so begins the Epilogue. 

…five years later…

I guess this is the Epilogue. 

THIS IS THE EPILOGUE!!! 

Fortunately, May 7th, 2019 was a day I didn't have to fear for long.  I had received my stage III tongue cancer diagnosis less than two weeks earlier, and it was an absolute whirlwind to prep everything in anticipation of the upheaval.

Here are some of what now remains in my memories from those days before my surgery:  

+Having so so many tearful conversations with family members and dear friends.

+Crying my eyes out with Laura.  Again and again. And again.

+Not only carrying on with daily lessons in my Spanish classroom, but also leaving an outline of lesson plans for three different grade levels (8th, 6th, 5th) for the final three weeks of the school year. 

+Researching my course of treatment and recovery plan.  (Simultaneously giving thanks that I was able to be scheduled so quickly.  What a blessing!!)

+Setting up a fairly-complicated automatic sprinkler system in a mad rush.  (Our plants survived, most of 'em anyway)

+Making video recordings (even though I could barely find time in my day) of my very best original songs, in case I would never be able to talk or sing again. 

Imagine that.  Knowing that you might forever lose the ability to talk.  Or sing.  Or eat. 

Yeah, that was hard as hell.

But I had an amazing support team come to carry me through.  Surgeons, oncologists, family (including my Mom, who was fighting her own battle with cancer), dear friends, students at my school and their families, speech therapists, physical therapists, and so many more.  I can't sum up the summer of 2019 other than to say it was something so horrific that I wouldn't wish it upon even my worst enemy.

…five years later…

Yep, here we are.   Five years since my cancer was removed.  Five years of rebirth and growth.  Of figuring out life as a parent, as a spouse, as a friend, as a teacher, as a student of life.

…five years later…

I continue to treasure the amazing experiences I have had over the past five years.  Sometimes I can't even believe it.  Every day is a gift, truly, and I am eagerly anticipating the next phase. 

You know…the Epilogue. 

With deep love and gratitude,

Dave

May 7th, 2024