Stormborn

So tonight is the season six finale of Game of Thrones and then we'll have to wait a long winter for new episodes. #SadDay Can the Starks hold Winterfell? Has Khaleesi overthrown the masters once and for all? Is Margery plotting something? Are the six million subplots and conspiracy theories known to those who have read the books taking shape?

So I wrote a long while back about my Aunt Gloria who is an amazingly talented artist whose iron and gold jewelry was selected for the Khaleesi on Game of Thrones. Such a cool achievement and line on a resume! Gloria is way too diverse to be defined by just a couple pieces she's made but when we started to notice cheap knock-offs of the Khleesi ring and bracelet being sold on Etsy, we encouraged her to make more of the real thing so that fans would have an opportunity to have something truly special. Well, that's easier said than done --- like all her art, the jewelry is typically bespoke, one-off pieces that are hand-forged and often experimental. To recreate multiples of the same ring and bracelet involved a long process of creating a mold, making each piece by hand, and individually finishing each one. A limited edition of 100 rings and bangles as worn by Daenerys herself is available here.

But I don't want to just give you a sales pitch because it's really not necessary. Her work is beautiful, she is the kindest and most generous soul --- and especially if you're a fan of the show, the opportunity to wear something integral to such an iconic character speaks for itself.

Since my cancer diagnosis, Gloria, like so many family and friends, has been a truly wonderful support, staying in touch even a world away and constantly offering inspiration, humor, compassion, and motivation. When she told me I had a package on the way, I was half surprised --- it certainly wasn't necessary and I know how much trouble it can be to mail something from London. And when I opened the box to find this inside, I was truly touched.

I don't mean to make this all about me, but.... well it is my blog. It's such an honor that she would send me No. 1 of 100. Everything that this symbolizes is incredibly special to me.

You can see the hallmark and number 001 inside.

Which brings me to this --- Daenerys Targaryen is my cancer spirit animal.

Each piece will be unique in its finish. 

She is born in the midst of a battle and a raging storm, just like I started this new chapter of the rest of my life in the middle of a battle my body had been waging against me without my knowing. She has to fight for her place in the world against those who doubt her, just like I am fighting for my place in this world against all the statistics, averages, and educated opinions who say that this is all but an impossible goal. She is compassionate and empathetic but committed to justice and ruthless against her enemies and well, this cancer is my enemy and deserves nothing but the absolute worst we can deliver, right?

It looks heavy and definitely feels substantial but it's totally wearable. 

And finally, she is the Mother of Dragons. Before Milo was born Enrique picked out a little stuffed dragon for him, with chewy parts and a rattle. Milo takes it in the car with him every time and I hear him shaking it in the backseat while I drive. When we were planning his first Halloween costume we decided he must be a dragon because he is so spirited and feisty, and I wore a "Mother of Dragons" shirt to go with it. E told me a few months ago that Milo is my fight --- his strong, stubborn, amazing little personality represents all the strength, faith fuel and yes, stubbornness that I am bringing to this cancer battle war. Not only does he represent how I will fight, but he IS the why I fight. A mother does not flee without her children.

ahhhhh he was such a baby!

So basically, get your hands on these incredible pieces of wearable art. Especially now while the UK is still part of the EU because who knows how shipping and importing and such will work after that all goes down....?!?!  And, if you're listening cancer, don't underestimate me because I might speak softly or am usually pretty easygoing... because I'm not going to stop the wheel, I'm going to break the wheel. 

Oh, and happy viewing of the Season Six Finale! Here's hoping Jon Snow's #manbun is here to stay.


Seven Blessings to all of you,

#Instafail

I had the most Instagram-worthy weekend... and didn't post a single picture. Does that mean it didn't really happen?

Here's what did happen (with stunning filler pictures courtesy of Reminisce Photography and Design):

- Milo went to his first parade. So cute. La Mesa has a little Flag Day parade that goes through the old downtown area and "quaint" doesn't begin to describe it. He wasn't interested in much except eating the snacks I brought and waving the little flag with a pointy stick that someone gave him, but he sure did look cute. And my favorite part was watching him sit with his great-grandma and seeing her show him off to her neighbors.

- The proprietor of the gym we sat in front of to watch the parade (and yes an MMA gym looks totally out of place in front next to the antique shops and such but they seem to stay busy) took such an interest Milo. I know parents of kids with special needs have mixed feelings about this and some people unfortunately have had really bad experiences; but we've been blessed so far that when people ask about our experience with Down syndrome, it's with a polite and genuine interest. He asked when we found out about his diagnosis and if we were scared... he asked if we've started working with him on therapy and intervention early... he asked if he's been healthy and does he like to eat... And I like to think that our easy conversation and seeing such an awesome little dude living it up like any other baby helps bring a better awareness and understanding to the fact that our family is just as dysfunctional happy as any other.

- I went to Target and also spent time in my own house BY MYSELF. After the parade my grandparents told me to just leave Milo at their house while I ran errands since he was happily playing, so I had the luxury of a solo trip to Target and Trader Joe's, then went home to put the groceries away... I don't think I've been alone in our house for more than 20 minutes since he was born. It's neither good nor bad, just different. I've gotten so used to having my little companion around constantly.

- Our little Critter got his first cold. We made it through the entire first year without getting sick (thank you breastfeeding and good luck, I suppose) but the sleepless nights earlier in the week turned out to be the result of increasing stuffiness and congestion and a general feeling of puny-ness.... or at least we think that's why he barely slept for three days, who knows. Poor little guy, but we're all surviving.

- I had a girls' night; for the first time in forever (or at least since before Critter was born). My college roommate occasionally comes into town working on the Broadway San Diego shows and sometimes I'm lucky enough to watch them with her. We didn't get much time to catch up unfortunately but I did get to watch Newsies #seizetheday. Jackie has been a wonderful, supportive friend especially these last few months and is so encouraging that the light and positivity I'm striving to keep in my life is making a difference in this cancer fight.

- This handsome devil and I had an awesome date. For my birthday Enrique wanted to take me kayaking (we did it once like two years ago and fancied ourselves enthusiasts) and booked this super-cool tour of the caves in La Jolla. the vain part of me was a bit concerned --- had this been my pre-baby, pre-cancer self, I would've thrown on my bathing suit and put my hair in a ponytail and been ready to go, but now... "I can't get my wig wet... What if my filled-in eyebrows and eyelashes come off... A bathing suit looks weird because my right side is still gross..." Well, the fact that is was overcast and cold, necessitating everyone wearing wetsuit tops along with the required helmet actually took care of most of those concerns. Sure I still looked like a dork but at least everyone else did, too. And the water was warmer than the air. And we saw sea lions and paddled into a cave. And I stood up on the kayak and then fell in when E stood up behind me. And we paddled our hearts out like Pocahontas and had an amazing time. It's true that Vitamin Sea is a cure for many things. I've definitely been guilty of neglecting our relationship at times since Milo was born and our little adventure was a good reminder that the two of us need child-free time together now and then to focus on each other and the fun that the two of us have always had together.

As it turns out, yesterday, June 5th is recognized as National Cancer Survivors Day (which I actually found out through Instagram). You can imagine that this is kind of bittersweet when we are in the midst of treatment and have accepted the fact that my diagnosis means the fight will never truly go away. But like Enrique said when I shared this with him, "Cancer survivor day is everyday in this house."

Everyday that I have with this family of mine and these friends who support me and in this amazing world is a blessing. It's more important than ever to fill my days with purpose and intent --- maybe some days that means just the routine of being a mom and getting through the day with a demanding kiddo because I knew choosing to be a mom would include those days, and maybe some days that means paddling a kayak across the Pacific ocean because once in awhile we should say 'yes' to adventure, even if it's for just a few hours. Either way, I need to remember that any day spent with the people you love is more than just 'surviving,' it's 'thriving,' and I've been fortunate enough to do that every day.

So I don't have any elegantly staged and filtered pictures of the weekend to share with you, or even any candid shots of all the great #sothishappened moments, but I've got the memories, the suntan, the songs stuck in my head, and the general feeling of a weekend well-spent, and that's good enough for me.

#thriving,