Thursday, May 10, 2012

learning to travel light...


If anything at all, dealing with melanoma has caused me to re-examine my life.  I realize I have held on to sorrows... for relationships that will never be as close as I would like; to hopes and dreams... that will never be realized; to losses... that will not be replaced. 

These things have weighed me down; I need to let go and just move on.  Some of them have been my dearest hopes and dreams... but, they are just not going to happen.  I'm not a good "letter-goer"... tenacious that way... stubborn to a fault.  But, I'm determined (also the thing that gets you in trouble about NOT letting go) and more than that... I have asked God to help me let go.  I have faith that Help is on the way.

Last Saturday, I drove my big old Fatty Patty (name of my SUV) and traded her in for a lighter, more fun way to move about.  I'm leting go... travelling light.  I want to savor the years I have left...


Meet Jubilee, she's the first in many more changes I hope to see in the next year.  And, yes, her name is significant to me. 


One thing that won't change is my enjoyment of the simple pleasures!!  A Coke Zero in a sweet "coozie" prize from The Little Men and Co.!  They really know how to make a Noni feel loved!!  Plus, the Moon Pie place brings a wonderful memory from one of our "Griswold Vacations".  Gotta love that!

SIL, Brian has started his chemo treatments and is tolerating them as well as can be expected.  Please remember him in your prayers.  Thank you so much.

blessings ~ tanna

46 comments:

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Not a good letter-goer. I love that, Tanna! Because, of course, I am not either! I came up with a thought the other day that I'm finding helpful and perhaps you will to. As I was pondering this aspect of my personality, this thought occurred to me: I must stop reliving the past and preliving the future and just be here today.

Terra said...

The changes you are making in both attitude and actions sound healthy. You new Mini is a pretty shade of blue and will remind you whenever you drive "her" of your new directions. Letting go is hard for me too.

From the Kitchen said...

Praying for your success in all ways! Also praying for your SIL.

Love the new car. May I point out, however, that with a Moon Pie, the drink of choice is R.C. Cola!

My husband got the new car this time. A Volvo. Love it but now we have to park as far out as possible in a parking lot. He uses my CRV to pick up "stuff" from the nursery. He even insisted that he use my car to pick up a pizza--huh?!!

Wishing you a happy mother's day my friend.

Best,
Bonnie

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Love your new ride. I got rid of my suv recently too for a car much better on gas. I should share it, too. Certainly will remember him in prayer.

Anonymous said...

LOVE the new ride. How FUN!

Dana

Kerin said...

Tanna.. love the new wheels!!
How fun!!
A friend of mine has a white and yellow mini and she calls the car 'twinkie'.

I'm a hanger-oner to stuff to.. but I think it's my disease that causes it. The need to please disease~~LOL!

I love your attitude and happy disposition about life!!

I will pray for your SIL also.. hope and pray for his healing and comfort.
~~Warm wishes
Kerin

TexWisGirl said...

I like jubilee! I, too, have an awful time letting go. Baggage that costs too much to haul...

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

I love Jubliee...and what meaning in that name and this season of life!!

I went and got Greek Yogurt for my neighbor after her chemo treatments...it has helped her soooooooooo much, she can't thank me enough..what a little thing to help her out and yet, it brought relief

Praying right now...now you enjoy your new adventures in your Jubilee

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

I will have to send my picture of Benjamin in front of one of these mini-cars...it was pink with huge eye-lashes!!!

podso said...

Love your new car -- with stripes even? You go! My best friend here used to have a red and white one. so fun. Good thoughts and good choices to make changes, not so easy, but you can do it.

Happy Mother's Day!

Tricia @ saving room for dessert said...

My husband will be so jealous! He wants a mini so bad but just loves his truck and all that mulch he can haul. Letting go, not always my easiest thing. We continue to pray for you!

Debbie said...

I love it, and I LOVE your inspirational outlook. I have purposed to find the sunshine this year, and it has made a difference. I think I need to "dump" some baggage too.

THANKS for the update on Brian because I'm praying for him.

(And still for you too, my blog friend)

Debbie said...

Oops. Did I totally forget to say COOL CAR?

Well, it's very cool.

Donna said...

I love Jubilee. I love that you name your cars. (me, too.) I love that you are going to be embracing your life even more fully....letting go of what is gone or impossible and luxuriating in your blessings! What a happy place to be in your life! Love you. d.

The Little Adventures of LueLee said...

GOOD byE FATTY Patty HELLLLLLOOOOOOOO JUBILEE... You sure are a cute little rig ;) and your cousin Shirley can't wait to meet you :) She sends her love and welcome to the family :)) oh and she says she hope you see many adventures she says they are the best!!! :))
Hugs and loves Love Shirley and Lindsey

Stacey said...

Love, love, love Miss Jubilee! How fun!

This post is perfectly timed for me. I am a 'hanger-on' and not good a letting go. I needed to hear this today...'ask God for help to let go and have faith that Help is on the way!'

Still praying!!

Big hugs,
Stacey

Judy S. said...

Oh, a Mini, how fun is that? Just think how much easier it will be to park! Love your leaf shawl, too! How's that seroma doing; I battled one during radiation treatments, but it eventually went away..... Hugs, Tanna, I think of you daily.

karen said...

Yay! That is what I want to see. Celebration and living life, go you!! I am so happy for you and I love your outlook on life :)

Ana said...

Good for you Ms. Tanna. Letting go and starting anew is the best thing one can do for the health of ones body, mind and soul. Love, love, love your new car...Jealous :-) Sending you a great big hug.

Much love,
♥Ana

Jen Price said...

Love Jubilee! She looks so fresh. Plano is very near to my neck of the woods!

Jennifer {Studio JRU} said...

Now that is one fun and cute ride!! She is so pretty! :) I understand... I am not a good 'letter-goer' either. I know HE will help! Awesome attitude!

Kelly said...

I love your new little car! She's adorable. Love that color too. I have always liked those cars. I drive a big ol honking Ford Explorer, that isn't good on gas. But.....she's paid for and has all the bells and whistles, so I just keep driving her around. One day, I'll trade her for something with better gas mileage, but not sure it will be for a car or not.

AndeM1 said...

Tanna
Praying for Brian....and loving your new wheels....adorable!!!!

Andrea

Amanda said...

learning to travel light...i like that. jubilee - such a significant symbol of life right now. i love you. xoxo

Mary Bergfeld said...

I hope your spirit is lightened as you let go of what can bog you down. I'm struck by the fact that you were at the edge of a precipice and allowed to step back. The relief must be exhausting. I will keep you SIL in my prayers. Have a good evening. Blessings...Mary

Pondside said...

That little car is very cute! Drive it in good health!

tracie c. said...

jubilee indeed!!!! tanna i love it!
i love your attitude and your spirit. you are my kinda people, but you know... i get you :)
sassy car and the open road... wind in your hair and a smile in your heart. that's my kind of living.
cheers to you my dear!
xo tracie
ps. good thoughts and prayers of health, healing and comfort to your sil :)

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Jubilee certainly seems to be more you than that honkin' SUV. Enjoy your new ride. With each year, I let go more and more and more of the emotional stuff. It's getting rid of all the excess material things that takes a lot more work. Have a wonderful weekend. Prayers and blessings, Tammy

steph said...

Why is change always so hard....even "good" change??? (I was very very attached to a 13 year old BMW hatchback that had more idiosyncracies than you could possibly imagine; traded in "the toad" 3 years ago for my Prius.....which now is the mechanical love-of-my-life! Go figure.) Love your positive approach. I need to adopt it, too!

Hope and pray things continue to go well for SIL.
Hugs--have a great weekend.

Katherine said...

Oh wow- congrats on the new car- what a change huh? Funny how things in life can make us re-evaluate other things in life. Congrats to you on your new outlook on things! You are a breath of fresh air, Tanna!

LauraLillyLaura said...

I LOVE your new car, it is sooo you!! I can't wait to see what else you do!! You are such an inspiration! Go Tanna!!

Jill from Killeny Glen said...

Oh Tanna! I am happy that you are finding joy in these things! Thanks for sharing your insight! Have a wonderful weekend.
Prayers for you!

Deb said...

good for you Tanna...what a cute new ride...been keeping you in my prayers...

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Your new car will be a wonderful treat for you to drive, Tanna! You deserve it, and I know you will enjoy and make the most of your new lease on life. I'll be keeping you, your SIL and Brian in my prayers.

Hasve a very Happy Mother's Day this weekend!

Betsy Brock said...

you're stubborn to a fault, too? lol...boy oh boy, I have trouble letting go.

Jubilee is the perfect change! haha..oh, I laughed when I scrolled down and saw her. Wow..you just can't look at that little car without smiling. How very fun for you. :)

Ann from On Sutton Place said...

Love your new wheels! You will be riding in style for sure. I just caught up on all your posts that I missed. Life throws curve balls for sure. You just need to learn how to catch them. Sounds to me like you are a quick learner. Hang in there my friend. Blessings and prayers to you on this Mother's Day weekend.

Dianne said...

Jubilee! I love it! Getting through the deep, dark valley isn't always easy - oh, but the joy the Lord gives us on the other side is a bountiful thing. I'm keeping you and yours in my prayers. Enjoy Jubilee...

Vicki Boster said...

Tanna-
Certainly you've had good cause to reflect and to reevaluate the things that are most important in your life. I would say that you have been given a gift- not everyone has that opportunity.

Lighten your life-- we all need to heed your example!

Brian is in my prayers.
Vicki

Catherine said...

Dear Tanna, It is difficult to let go. I am a creature of habit. I am not fond of change. This is something I realize and am working on to have a new beginning. I will always keep you in my prayers. I will keep Brian in my prayers as well.
I wish you the brightest Mother's Day filled with smiles.
Blessings dearest. Catherine xo

Stitchfork said...

Cute new ride Tanna! Hope you enjoyed your mom-day! Need to try some of your letting-go.
xo Cathy

Anonymous said...

That's some Jubilee love right there! Who wouldn't take that trade! That should make the heart merrier, and you know that a merry heart is like good medicine. :) Praying for you, friend. I'm coming down there! :)

Jackie said...

Hey Tanna! I stumbled upon your blog and loved looking around here! Luv your new ride.....Jubilee is gorgeous!!!! Been thinking about letting go of my big jeep suv and trading it for something like Jubilee too!

Also, loved your green shawl in the former post....beautiful!

I'm your newest follower.....Have a wonderful week!

Blessings!
Jackie

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Hi Tanna, I don't know how I missed this post. I am a long time member of the letter-goer club! It took me longer than I want to talk about to learn to let go of things that I couldn't change. Learning to change the things I can is still an ongoing lesson for me.

Have fun driving Jubilee! Cute ride!

I will pray for Brian and for you, too. Have a good week!

Lauri said...

For some reason I just now saw this post. HOW FUN!! I love your little Jubilee and I bet she is just what you need right now. I have to admit, I was a little sad to see the final pic of Fatty Patty because I LOVE those Cadillac SUVs and have been wanting me one of those lately, haha! (I like the bling factor!) I hope you're getting lots of joy from Jubilee these days, you deserve it!

Kathy said...

Downsizing can be quite freeing. It rids you of a lot of baggage, literally. When I sold my home in Arizona to come take care of my mom, I pretty much got rid of everything I had accumulated in the past 40 years and returned to Texas on an airplane with two suitcases (I did ship my computer and a small TV).

kate i said...

Letting go of our old stories and outdated ideas of how things should be is for me, the last bastion that needs to fall. I've been holding on to things that were so dear to my heart and like you, have to let go of the "needing it to be's". I think it's also like peeling away the layers of the onion. It's a process and we chip away at it as we're able.

I do love your Jubilee...she's bright and sporty and feels very zippy and light hearted. You and Jubilee are going to have a LOT of fun and many happy days together.

Sending prayers of healing to your SIL Brian and his family. Blessings dear Tanna.

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Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.