When I was diagnosed with CANcer, I didn’t know what the future would hold. Honestly, I still don’t know…even in remission. There is always a scan, test, bloodwork, medicine, doctors’ visits, weak immune system, bone pain, neuropathy, etc. It never ends….But once I had absorbed the fact that I had to make plans for my life and beyond and that death could now be my beyond…I decided to #KickCantcer and LIVE!
So now my living includes doing and participating in activities that keep me normal and my family feeling normal. The one thing that I knew could not stop, could not be missed and could not be compromised, …The Jones Jingle Jam!
It all began when my sister’s and cousin’s first borns turned 5 and 6 years old. They understood what Christmas meant, Biblically and secularly. At the time, my husband and I did not have children, so we were the “fun place” for them. They would come and stay with us and eat and do whatever they wanted!!! We decided on this particular year in 2005, they could come on a Friday afterschool and spend the night, a mini sleepover. That would free the moms to do their “Santa shopping”! We baked cookies, ate pizza, played games and watched movies. We put up lights, decorated the tree and had a ball. Of course it was a hit and they wanted to “…do this every year…”! What did we get ourselves into?!?!?
So every year since, we have had the Jones Jingle Jam on the 2nd Friday in December. Over the years, we have added siblings, cousins, God Children, and neighbors. We went from 2 kids to having 26. Yes…26, in one house…overnight!!! The ages have ranged from 4 months to 16 years old (…well now up to 22 years old…our veterans). We have lots of fun! 4 years later, we were blessed enough to add our own son to the mix at just 4 months old!!!! We’ve added Show and Share, talent shows, roasting marshmallows, and having children sharing what they are thankful for as we talk around the fire, implementing old school values, tradition, and their interests.
2015 would be the last year of what I thought was normal. I assumed each year would be the same and I would enjoy these children forever. But things changed! In 2016, I was diagnosed with CANcer. I was devastated but knew, for my family, I had to be strong and not let this disease STEAL MY JOY!
My joy, the Jingle Jam! My son asked if we would have it since I was sick and my response…”Of course!” The day of my chemo treatment was the day of the Jones Jingle Jam. I had no idea what I was getting myself into but I was ALL IN! The day of the chemo treatment actually had me on 10, so I was ready! I was going to be normal. Once my children began to come, my heart warmed! I did not know my fate at the time, so I was poised to enjoy EVERY moment with them.
In 2017, I had to have surgery related to the CANcer. The day of the Jingle Jam, was the day of my discharge from the hospital! My husband and family helped prepare everything and my village was determined to help me so that my desires were met! The Jones Jingle Jam must go on! This particular year was hard, I was weak, fatigued, and crazy!!! Who does that???? All of these children…spending the night…playing games…listening to music…loud!!! ME..I do that! The Jingle Jam gave me a since of normalcy and helped my son feel like his mom was alright! It also helped me to feel better and brought me comfort, brought me normalcy!
I wanted to share this story because my heart is so full today. Last night was our 13th Jingle Jam without missing a year since 2005. Some of our oldest came back from college to hang with the kids before they went to hang with their friends, and our youngest and oldest “children” there… were mother, who started with us as a teen and daughter, who is 4 months!!!
I realized that as adults, we often lean on our village for support, especially when we are down. I also realized that our children, their cousins, their friends, are a special village as well. Filled with optimism and resilience, these children keep adults on their toes and represents what is all well in the world when things seem down. All through my CANcer and treatments and surgeries, these children have been my village, sending cards, drawing pictures and calling and texting me to let me know they are thinking of me.
Sometimes we are so caught up in life that we forget to be kids ourselves. In my experiences, I’ve known kids who have battled CANcer, had broken limbs, been ill and in the hospital, and all each of those children wanted to do, was to get up and play, do what they always do, despite the limitations that have been placed on them. Shouldn’t we ALL be those kids? I AM one of those kids. CANcer and everything that comes with it will NOT keep me down and keep me from doing what I want and am destined to do from being successful in my career, building a business, helping others and yes…hosting the JONES JINGLE JAM! I am BLESSED and will be a BLESSING!
My CANcer Wisdom to You: Live…Do not let anything that has you limited STEAL YOUR JOY! Do what you can to enjoy family and friends and the activities you love to do, even if you have to modify them. Find your village of children…they will put life in perspective for you!
#MyBreastYearsAhead
#MyStyleMatters
#KickCantcer
My CANcer Chronicles Blog Posts 