‘Being Me’ In The Month That Was May. 35/2022.
Since I decided to join in this link up each month, I am also adding my post for ‘the month that was’…and what a month it turned out to be!
MAY 2022
Word Of the Year Link Up Party.
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Those who follow this blog, and know me from either on-line conversations or in real life, will know that my highest (in terms of importance) value in life is ‘honesty’. And that has seen me make some choices to live better with ME!!
I guess another way of putting it, is to be ‘true to myself’.
I have been blogging for well over 11 years and seen so much change in this time. I have always reflected on what I want my blog and me to represent and along with honesty, comes vulnerability, truth telling and giving thanks.
So BEing ME has meant some reflection and change making…
Saw a recent Instagram hashtag about ageing and owning up by #speakingyourage (words to that effect) and I have never been someone to hide my age…so this is something I do easily. Here:
And then just this week, to be honest, the work that was having a blog link up suddenly (or maybe stealthily) was not anything I wanted to do any more. I could have been someone who soldiered on, but that’s not me either. So, without anything else to add, here is the message to my blogging community…..
Well, now what has that meant for BEing ME?
A few changes within and they feel good.
I have reduced my in-person involvement with Head and Neck Cancer Australia and feel better for this.
I have decided to blog when I want to…and there have been examples of this recently.
I am allowing myself to feel uncomfortable too as changes like these are made. Instead of the old thinking of must get everyone’s approval I am being my own best friend and remembering what I REALLY want to do and be…and again, it’s part of my value system.
MAY MEMORIES.
FIVE years on from my cancer diagnosis was always going to be remembered and celebrated! I added a memento in the form of a bracelet with hearts on 17 May 2022 at 9.35 am. And wrote a post here.
- Mother’s Day Memories
- SO Thankful to all who helped me
- May: very big memories
- My political views expressed on Election Day
- Hard yards: cancer & reconstructions.
- Going well! 4 years on.
- Visit To Dad
- Much to be grateful for…
- So True
- Magical bloom!
- Notice the little things…
- And I miss Sydney!
The feelings and experiences here are part of why I am very grateful to be well…following 5 years of recovering from a rare oral cancer…and I make the very most of all the in-person connections we can have with family. We had a lovely catch up here after 4 months.

Our son’s 4. We cared for these kids for years…sadly not Miss in heart top as she was born after we left Sydney.
- Marking 5 years.. & grateful for trees & healing
- A fave spot for clouds and sky pics
- Very grateful to be here & well!
Then there is this photo which means so much for my healthy recovery and emotional connections. Our four grandkids visited me just after surgery #1 (the big one) in August 2017, so I asked them to do a re-creation with me in May 2022. Love this!!
And that will do for now. I have been to see Dad in Dee Why twice in May and am enjoying the frank chats and helpful conversations we both have to better understand and appreciate each other and our similarities and differences. No more photos from him though. Fair enough! And no, he does not want to live to 100…..I get that.
How was your month of May..not quite finished of course…
And are you using a word or words in 2022 like I am?
Denyse.
Taking Stock.#5. 48/51. #LifeThisWeek. 128/2021.
Taking Stock.#5. 48/51. #LifeThisWeek. 128/2021.
This is the last taking stock in 2021 and may not be another when in 2022.
So, as this could be the “last one” I am going to share here about my life as it is on the eve of my 72nd birthday.
And as Pema Chodron says here…..
I am grateful for all who have made a difference in my life. Not all people are represented here because I may not have had an image. So, here goes, using images to ‘match’ a word. And using my alphabetical list.
Admiring: those people who are the trained professionals in all allied health, surgery and more, and have cared for my health.
Becoming: a part of a family, grateful for the love, care and kindness of parents and grandparents since 1949!
Curious: about life and learning….always!
Delighted: to meet up with on-line friends when I can.
Excited: that we will get to celebrate my birthday…..out for morning tea! It suits us both to do this…here’s a memory from 2018. If the rain stays away we will be going here again: a local nursery.
Feeling: that time is moving way too fast….that seems to happen after 70!
Going: to my Dad’s sometime in December to share some meals and treats. He’s certainly been the constant in my life…known me for more than 72 years!! This from my 71st birthday when I am not sure who was helping who stay on their feet.
Helping: Head and Neck Cancer Australia as an Ambassador. I have held this volunteer role for 3 years and as I said to the CEO recently, “you got me for life“.
Imploring: people to keep an eye on anything (related to Head and Neck cancer* symptoms) that might be not healing or increasing in pain. size and so on…and ensuring if a GP or dentist, doesn’t take it seriously, to seek out another option. *all cancers of course, but these ones have no diagnostic tools.
Joking: No idea what was funny at Oxley lookout last year but this bloke is quite the joker….and this wife, is not always ready for his sense of humour!
Keeping: this blog going into its 12th year is testament to my commitment but to the engagement of this blogging community even more!
Loving: the freedom of days’ activities choice when retired. Sure, there is a routine of sorts, and yes, we get up by a certain time (not tellin’) …but no bosses!
Making: memories for me and others! By cards, photos and little albums. I love doing it too.
Next: I am too easily wanting to plan what is next yet, at the same time trying to stay in the present. The one thing for me is knowing where we will be living next year, and so far, the owners have agreed to us staying on. HOWEVER, the way real estate prices have risen here, houses in our street up by $200-300K in less than 4 years, we suspect we will get a rent rise. Sigh.
Observing: the places where I lived as a teen and older and having a deep appreciation for that time.
Pleasing: to notice that I can continue to change some health habits slightly to be more health-aware in my ageing years.
Reading: the many and varied posts that YOU, my blogging friends, share here for Life This Week. We are, today, at #268 of the link up. And how I met some of my blogging friends two years ago.
Staying: on track with meditation. It will be 2 years without missing a session by end of 2021. I now do Daily Calm in the morning and another track in the evening. It still counts as one day!
Trying: to remember all I am grateful for more than ever…not everyone gets the chance to continue living as I have post-cancer.
Understanding: that life is not static. Der. But sometimes when I don’t want things to change, I then remember that they change anyway so grasping to keep things are they are is not on. I have learned much about this thanks to meditation, and listening to a range of CDs from teachers of Buddhism and more. Very wise people..and we are all human.
Viewing: old photos for this post and feeling the warmth of nostalgia but also heeding the point above!
Welcoming: changes to Covid restrictions here in N.S.W. soon, with reduction of places where you need to sign in with QR code, and having the choice to wear a mask. We think, for now, we will continue to mask up if in a crowded shop or doctors’ surgery. Definitely needed recently at a Big Hug Box packing day. NB: hope with new strain variant, we will remain vigilent.
X- “X-tra grateful” to all of the women who shared their stories of courage. In the 3 years, more than 72 women shared their stories. Wow. I have included images of all who continue to blog and link up here fairly regularly. I “hope” I have you all in this group. Let me know, if I have missed you.
Yes: to more plans to do ‘less’….and that sounds like a contradiction. In the meantime, here I am over decades of my life ‘doing’ what I most enjoy: connecting with those I care for and who love me. Perhaps a bit of a stretch re Former PM Julia Gillard, but she did thank me for my education roles.
Z – Is there anyone else I need to show my gratitude and admiration for their part of my life? Yes, it’s an old image but the LOVE from this Papa to his only grandchildren cannot be surpassed. And the love we had for him is exemplified in my brother now being Papa to his 2 grandkids and that B became Papa when his eldest granddaughter couldn’t get her mouth around Grandpa, and out came “Pa-Pa” and it sure stuck.
Thank you all for reading, commenting and sharing your blog post today.
Take care,
Denyse.
Started Life This Week Link Up. Sept 2016.
Life This Week. #268
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