My dear, sweet husband. With me every step of the way. Always encouraging. Always reassuring. Always firmly believing in me. My biggest fan and best friend. He has wiped more tears away than anyone will ever know. Buckets of them, to be honest. I lost my hair on Sunday, March 11. We went to a friend of mine from the YMCA to have my hair cut. All of the kids wanted their hair cut as well--it was a family event. There was a little stubble left on my head after we were done and I wanted it all off. No reminders. So, when we got home, Joel lathered my head and shaved the final bits off. I did the same for him. This Sunday we rode our bikes 15 miles. Thought we'd start off slow and work our mileage up! I was just so glad I was feeling good enough to get out and ride! I felt good this week--went to my classes at the gym, ran a couple times, and biked! A blessing from God!
You may even see me out running the streets of Harleysville looking like this. It just feels so good to run and feel the breeze on my head! Maybe I'll start a new trend! :-) Anyone want to join?
...Love the new look and the life you are discovering on this unfamiliar path! Your post brings to my mind a book I am currently reading by Barbara Brown Taylor where she talks about the spiritual practice of "getting lost" - leaving the well-worn, predictible paths we almost always choose for the unpredictable territory - because it is there a person lives "fully conscious" - learning to manage your panic, marshalling your resources, taking a good look around to see where you are and what this unexpected development might have to offer you.
ReplyDeleteBarbara talks about some personal expereinces of being lost - not literally - but rather times "when life's big winds knocked her clean off her course" (divorce, health crisis, job losses, etc). She reflects with these words: "While none of these displacements was pleasent at first, I would not give a single one of them back. I have found things while I was lost that I might never have discovered if I had stayed on the path. I have lived through parts of life that no one in her right mind would ever willingly have chosen, finding enough overlooked treasure in them to outweigh my projected wages in the life I had planned. These are just a few of the reasons that I have decided to stop fighting the prospect of getting lost and engage it as a spiritual practice instead. The Bible is a great help to me in this practice, since it reminds me that God does some of God's best work with people who are truly, seriously lost."
Thank you Renae and Joel for sharing glimpses of the treasures and freedom you are discovering on an unfamilar path you did not choose, but nonetheless, one where God continues to sustain, surprise and bring new life along the way!
Holding you in our prayers,
-Arnold
You look BEAUTIFUL! May God give you continued strength for each day. From your prayer renegade....Sheila
ReplyDeleteSmiling and crying at the same time as I read...Thank you, Renae.
ReplyDeleteTracy C
God bless you and your family. I think it is beautiful how your entire family is embrassing your situation. I to am going through a life change and choose "LIFE" I choose to live and to lovelike you have. You are a true inspiration! Never change You are so beautiful in and out. My prays are with you and your family:)
ReplyDeleteScott D.
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ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful shots of an inspirational couple who radiates true love and commitment to each other! I am sooooooo proud to call you guys my family! Keep on going!!!
ReplyDeleteTruly shows Love is more than skin deep!
ReplyDeleteThe saying "bald is beautiful" is so true... you guys look great!
ReplyDeleteThank you sharing your soul Renae. You do look troly beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou are always in my prayers,
Janelle R
Sorry....truly
DeleteWhen my daughter, Calli, only 14, lost her hair last year... We all shaved our heads. My hair was down to my middle back- Actually, Calli shaved our heads! It was the most freeing thing I have ever experienced. She was freed too- she stopped covering up her perfect head, and went confident everywhere! She was not alone- YOU are not alone! We even made a video :)
ReplyDeleteRenae & Joel, It was a pleasure being with you at the Komen 5K. What an awesome experience to be part of such a large group of supporters. You have amazing friends, there is no other way of putting it! BTW (by the way:) I love your hair!
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