My Mom is My Inspiration

I mentioned before that my mom is fighting breast cancer.  Her rounds of chemo are completed and she worked through it like a champ.  She has a couple of weeks to rest and recuperate before her radiation begins, so my dad brought her down to the lake for a week to relax and regain her strength.

The plan was for them to lay around under the beach umbrellas, read, take lots of naps and go for leisurely pontoon rides.  But the very first morning mom was up and making her famous French toast for everyone.

We quickly found a routine that worked for my parents - after breakfast we would go out for a short excursion and do something, like find a geocache or go for a short walk in the woods....

Dad's geo-senses were right on and I think he found more caches than I did that week...

After lunch they would nap for awhile and then get up and sit outside in the shade and read until dinner.  One night we had our annual fish fry and mom even breaded the fish!

After dinner I'd take them fishing for awhile, where my dad kicked our asses and totally out-fished us this year.  I also have to say that they lost the least amount of bobbers and hooks this year.  Their fishing skills have definitely improved.

...and then for a boat ride until sunset...

The last night we always have our traditional campfire and roasting of the s'mores.  Mom and dad look relaxed, don't you think?

We also managed to squeeze in 2 small excursions but I'll tell you about those in some posts next week.  My mom's only complaint was that she got tired easily and it was frustrating to not be able to just get up and do the things she wanted to do.  But I think she did a great job and she continues to show me what real inner strength and determination is all about.  I'm so proud of you mom.  And I'm so grateful to my dad, who has worked so tirelessly and continually, caring for her and taking her back and forth to the hospital and to her many doctors appointments.  They are truly a shining example of love and partnership.