I love surprises (well only good ones, I suppose). A couple of weeks ago I received an e-mail from a man I met during my seven weeks of radiation at the university hospital. For those who don’t know, when you are scheduled for external beam radiation, you are scheduled pretty much at the same time everyday so the dose of radiation stays consistent in your body. Consequently, everyday you see most of the same people. That is where I met this man. Interestingly enough, we had the same radiation oncologist, the same type of cancer with the same complications (which is rare mind you), and we were scheduled one after another for the duration of the 6.5 weeks. We got to know each other pretty well and it has been over a year since we have spoken. Since I had written a book and through the wonderful resource of technology, he was able to find me. It was such a nice surprise hearing from him and it was great to speak to someone with almost exactly the same struggles and now the same perspectives on life and living it.
There are of course the not so fun surprises…surprise, you’re laid off…surprise, your flight’s delayed..surprise, you have cancer. Yeah, those are all bummers. The one lesson that surprise teaches us is that we are truly not in control of everything. By its very definition surprise is an unexpected event, fact, or thing. What we can control are our reactions and attitudes, our decisions, etc, but there are so many things we cannot control and those are the things we have to release. As human beings I think we are all control freaks to some extent but surprise, good or bad, throws us off just a little and even some of the bad surprises end up a good in the end. OK, I like surprises…
Today I wear Nars Lipstick in Joyous Red, a beautiful semi matte amber red color (limited edition). Good surprises usually bring joy and since the holidays are fast approaching Joyous Red sounded appropriate!
Anna's Lipstick Journey 
Wow. How nice that he found you. I know I have touched base with old friends I haven’t seen or talked with in over 40 years because of FB and I love it.
What a really nice blog, I really enjoyed reading it.
Thanks for your comments and yes, although technology can be a challenge, I’m grateful!
This was a very moving post and a good reminder about how we don’t have as much control of our lives as we think. I admire your positive outlook and how you are handling your situation. Can’t be easy. What fun about the lipstick.
always wonderful and reassuring to hear about a “good surprise”. Unlike anything else they lift us through the day …..like that fabulous lipstick you have on!
Thanks for the soulful reminder! Marc 🙂
You’re absolutely right, thank you!
Thank you for your encouraging response!
I can only imagine what you went through since my mother also had cancer and we were very close together during the whole experience. Thank you for sharing this!
Thanks Claudia. Yes, it’s been a challenge for our whole family, but as you know first hand, if mommy acts normal and positive, then the kids take a cue from that.
You have a wonderful attitude. I’ll bet you sometimes get tired of hearing that, but it’s true. ;O)
great surprise… truly.
Yay to the warm surprises that punctuate life’s trials.
That was a very cool story. Thanks for sharing.