In 2013, I took a train trip out to Los Angeles to meet up with friends I'd made while studying abroad...and on the train, I met a cute guy from Quebec, and we spent almost an entire night sitting in the viewing car just talking. I was very very tired when I got to LA. But also very happy :)
Ahh, 2013, yes, December 27th, diagnosed with cancer. All good. It wasn’t all bad and it led to my first and then second book being published. I also worked less and saw more of my friends and went on amazing adventures with friends and family. March 29th 2017 and I was diagnosed with secondary cancer. Phew, that was hard. More holidays, more adventures, amazing experiences with friends and family, spent too much money - oopsie - and then, a miracle happened. It really did. The stuff we dream of but ‘know’ it’s not going to happen... secondary cancer diagnosis reversed. Long story, the medical profession hadn’t put a foot, not even a toe nail wrong, just my weird body (!) and there I was, life back, a little poorer (!) but absolutely no regrets. It all started in 2013, never thought I’d see 2023, but it’s here, and we’re loving it - (very huge) warts and all!
Great post, Lauren, lovely to hear you narrating it x
"a little poorer (!) but absolutely no regrets" is how I want to feel every day I think, if possible. Thank you so much for sharing. I am so grateful you are here in 2023 and look forward to many more words exchanged with you 🧡🧡
I think I actually did something very similar to this in that year and I have still not opened that jar. I am not 100% certain I even have it anymore because I cannot remember where it is anymore. I needed in order to get me through what was a truly shitty uni experience and my pessimistic self needed to try and focus on at least one positive - I think a lot of the time it was food related!
Oh my gosh... in 2013 (and especially by the end of the year) I was convinced I had found my tribe, my people, the ones I’d be friend with forever. In 2023 in can confidently say that we were an awful match haha and that they didn’t get me as me (and to be fair, I was « liking » them for the wrong reasons). The people in my circle now are the loveliest person on the planet and our relationship fills me with joy.
But also in 2013 I was hungry to see the world and meet people from other country/continents and in 2023 I have!! I am so incredible proud about that. 🥹
I am so happy to read this (especially, of course, the travelling part). I hear you about the friends too! I thought some of those folks would be my friends forever! But sometimes some people are just for certain chapters. I couldn't love the people in my life more than I do in 2023, and am so grateful that you are one of them 🧡🧡🧡
What a beautiful way to think about life, how things were, how things have and haven't changed!
🧡🧡🧡🧡🧡
In 2013, I took a train trip out to Los Angeles to meet up with friends I'd made while studying abroad...and on the train, I met a cute guy from Quebec, and we spent almost an entire night sitting in the viewing car just talking. I was very very tired when I got to LA. But also very happy :)
I love this memory so much! 🧡 Travel connections are wonderful. Did you see each other again?
They really are! We didn't see each other again, but we did keep in touch for a few years.
Beautiful! So sweet.
Ahh, 2013, yes, December 27th, diagnosed with cancer. All good. It wasn’t all bad and it led to my first and then second book being published. I also worked less and saw more of my friends and went on amazing adventures with friends and family. March 29th 2017 and I was diagnosed with secondary cancer. Phew, that was hard. More holidays, more adventures, amazing experiences with friends and family, spent too much money - oopsie - and then, a miracle happened. It really did. The stuff we dream of but ‘know’ it’s not going to happen... secondary cancer diagnosis reversed. Long story, the medical profession hadn’t put a foot, not even a toe nail wrong, just my weird body (!) and there I was, life back, a little poorer (!) but absolutely no regrets. It all started in 2013, never thought I’d see 2023, but it’s here, and we’re loving it - (very huge) warts and all!
Great post, Lauren, lovely to hear you narrating it x
"a little poorer (!) but absolutely no regrets" is how I want to feel every day I think, if possible. Thank you so much for sharing. I am so grateful you are here in 2023 and look forward to many more words exchanged with you 🧡🧡
😘😘😘 And with you, Lauren! I love your posts and energy 😊
😘 😘 😘
Freedom and balance and moon power! Your energy radiates in your words.
2013: the glimmer of an exit plan from the corporate world I begrudgingly inhabited.
2023: the freedom to explore new worlds of words, honor family legacies and connect with beautiful people far and wide.
I adore this answer! I am so glad your 2013 took you out of that world and into the words. I love your words. They are a gift 🧡🧡
2013. I had to think this as I've buried most of the early 20-teens deep away.
I was in my second year of my shitty third academic job, except I don't think it got really shitty until autumn.
Also the third year without mum even though I didn't recognize my grief at the time.
Thank you for sharing, Cathy, how some things are only clear after the fact. Appreciate you being here in my 2023 🧡🧡
That is so profound, Cathy: not recognizing grief, post-loss of a loved one. I can totally relate.
In 2013...
I turned 30
I finished my degree
And then I came out as trans 😁
Heck yeah to 2013! 🧡🧡🧡
I think I actually did something very similar to this in that year and I have still not opened that jar. I am not 100% certain I even have it anymore because I cannot remember where it is anymore. I needed in order to get me through what was a truly shitty uni experience and my pessimistic self needed to try and focus on at least one positive - I think a lot of the time it was food related!
FOOD RELATED HAPPY THOUGHTS ARE DELIGHTFUL! What a gift!
Oh my gosh... in 2013 (and especially by the end of the year) I was convinced I had found my tribe, my people, the ones I’d be friend with forever. In 2023 in can confidently say that we were an awful match haha and that they didn’t get me as me (and to be fair, I was « liking » them for the wrong reasons). The people in my circle now are the loveliest person on the planet and our relationship fills me with joy.
But also in 2013 I was hungry to see the world and meet people from other country/continents and in 2023 I have!! I am so incredible proud about that. 🥹
Thank you for this chapter LD 🩵🩵
I am so happy to read this (especially, of course, the travelling part). I hear you about the friends too! I thought some of those folks would be my friends forever! But sometimes some people are just for certain chapters. I couldn't love the people in my life more than I do in 2023, and am so grateful that you are one of them 🧡🧡🧡