A Good Day

Today was a good day.

So good, in fact, that if you had asked me how I was doing, I would have said, “I’m doing well.” I think today is the first day I could honestly say that.

Why was it a good day? I slept in, had a nice, lazy morning with some friends, listened to good music on my drive, visited my mom, told her some stories, read a book, talked with my good friend on the drive back from the hospital, got caught in no traffic, hung out with more friends and watched a good movie.

There was nothing spectacular that happened, no ridiculous antics (well, not too many) and no epic adventures. Just simple, beautiful moments that made me smile.

I thought I would always have this pall over me, the reminder of the stroke, or of the cancer. Almost like a fog, graying out all the color in life.

But one thing my friend said to me, that she learned when her mom first got sick was, “you can’t let cancer dictate how your day is going.”

And that idea, that freedom to be however I want to be, cancer or not, stroke or not, has stuck with me, and allowed me to have a good day today. I am free to be me, Katye, beloved by God. And I’m free to be me, Katye, who loves impromptu breakfast hangouts, sitting around in PJ’s and drinking good coffee. Katye, who loves discovering new music and rocking out as she glides down the freeway. Katye, who can’t resist telling her mom ridiculous stories, and making her mom laugh. Katye, who loves to get lost in a good book. Katye, who has amazing friends who make her laugh, and have the same thoughts as she does. Katye, who is a sucker for a good, cheesy movie. Yes, the cancer is still there. Yes, the stroke still happened. But that doesn’t make the rest of me, the rest of my life, less real, or less wonderful.

And so, I say, I had a good day.