I really appreciate the opportunities I’ve had to drive down and spend time with my mother these past few months.  Though chemo has been hard for her pancreatic cancer, she hasn’t lost her sense of quiet resolve, or her sense of humor.

She now has a sign posted near her front door that reads “Never take life too seriously.  Nobody gets out alive anyway.”

She doesn’t care if it makes her morbid to have such a sign in her house, it makes her laugh.  And maybe I’m wrong, but the sign made me laugh too.  It also reminds me to not sweat the small stuff in life, to laugh more, and to find the joy in every moment I have left with her—whether it will be months or years.  With her positive attitude, I’m storing way more upbeat and happy memories of my mother through this trail she is suffering than sad ones—a gift to my soul I will forever treasure.  Mom…you’re awesome.