Thursday, April 12, 2012

Cookies vs. Cancer

Four years ago today, I watched my father die. It is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I will miss him every single day for the rest of my life.

The other day I was very upset over cookies that got lost in shipment. Upset to the point of tears. I felt like a week of my life had been a complete waste of time and money and I was sad and broken. Over cookies. It was ridiculous how sad I was over the cookies that didn't make it to a baby shower in time because of a mix-up with Priority Mail. I needed some perspective.

There are times for all of us when we get too caught up in a situation or a difficulty and we need to take a step back and gain some perspective. There are 2 things that really work for me. One is volunteering. Being of service. Helping someone else. It makes you feel good and it reminds you that your life is pretty good compared to what some others face. The other thing that works for me is exercise. Sparring is great for getting out aggressions, another is climbing a hill. If you ever feel defeated or frustrated or angry or sad, go climb a hill. Seriously. It works.

So that's what I did the other day when I had no energy because of feeling sad and defeated. I dragged myself out for a bike ride and climbed some hills. I rode alone and it allowed me time to get in my head. What did I think about? Well at first I just thought about anger as my feet went round and round on the pedals, pushing against the wind. Then I got to the point of perspective. I thought of cookies vs Cancer. While I was sad about the cookies that I worked so hard on and lost money and time on, there were people fighting for their life against Cancer. Perspective.

One of my father's favorite things in the world were Oreo cookies. He LOVED them. Want to hear something funny though? They gave him hiccups. Pretty much every time he would divulge in the chocolate that he loved, he would get really deep, painful hiccups. I've made about a gazillion cookies this week that I haven't shown you yet, but today I'm just going to show you some cookie dough and some naked cookies ready to be decorated.

My friend, Samantha, of Flour-De-Lis came up with a new recipe of Cookies & Cream cookies made with Oreos. My dad would have loved these cookies, so late last night, I made these in honor of my dad. I haven't tried one yet, but they sure smell yummy!



 And the cookie dough even matches my granite counter ;-)
 Here are the cookies I just baked. We are very excited to try them out!
 I made this Oreo cake last year in honor of my dad.
Every year my family and I participate in the LiveStrong Challenge in memory of my dad. We are the team Eddie's Angels and we will continue this fight against Cancer for him. If you would like to make a donation to the LiveStrong Foundation for Eddie's Angels, please click on the picture below. Thank you for your support! It really makes a difference when we are out pushing our bicycles farther than we think we can go, but we remember why we are doing it and all those that are supporting us along the way. Join me in the fight against Cancer and leave a comment telling me who you would like me to ride in honor of or in memory of.
I miss you daddy, but I am so beyond thankful for the time we had together and all you taught me.


I just realized that we surpassed the 100,000 mark of people visiting my blog! Thank you so very much for your support and I am so humbled that people enjoy seeing my cookies. I will be doing a fun give-away of cookies soon. It's not going to happen today, but very soon. And I have an idea of how to make it really fun too. Coming soon.

Blog background for my dad:

22 comments:

  1. Wow what a great thing you are doing in honor of ur father and of others !! I lost my mom Edith Folck to cancer feb.15th 2000. I hate the C word. I wish she was here to see her 3 grandaughters..i tell my daughters about her all the time and it breaks my heart that they never had the chance to meet their grandma :( {and all the goodies i have created }...she would of been so proud !!! She is the reason i bake ...i get lost in it ...thats my release .so i thank u Cristin ...i always go to ur page for inspiration ...ur so creative and talented ...thank u for all that ur doing !!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christy I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. To have children after losing your mother and them not getting the opportunity to meet them would be so very difficult. I will add your mom, Edith, to those that I am riding in memory of. I'm sure she is watching over you! Hugs

      Delete
  2. Oh sweety, HUGS!!! I too hate cancer and am with you all the way.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for sharing your heart, Cristin. Those cancer stole from us are my sweet aunt, and my 43 years young brother in law. Thanks for riding...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so sorry for your loss Laura! I will add your aunt and your brother-in-law to those that I am riding in memory of. Hugs

      Delete
  4. Thank you for such a beautiful post! There is nothing like that sort of experience to slap our perspective right back into place is there? My mom died of breast cancer in Aug 2010; three weeks earlier my mother-in-law died of ovarian cancer; right now my dad is battling prostate cancer. It is everywhere and it is devastating. This week I, too, honored my mom with a cookie! :)
    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.297367183673873.66933.292355744175017&type=3#!/photo.php?fbid=303007586443166&set=a.297367183673873.66933.292355744175017&type=3&theater

    She would be tickled at this new decorating hobby I have. I am sending you positive thoughts as you get through this anniversary milestone. Thanks, again, for sharing your memories of your dad and for reminding us about perspective. Blessings!
    Laurie (Cookie Bliss)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Laurie I'm so sorry about your mom and your mother-in-law and now with your father battling Cancer too. I will add them to those that I am riding for. I'm sure that your mom is watching over you and enjoying your baking adventure!

      Delete
  5. ((Hugs))
    How many times do we get sidetracked of the REALLY important things in life... things that matter? Thanks for reminding us today :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks Cristin. Like you.....I've had some shake ups in the last few years that have put my cookies in perspective. When my son Neil had his accident in Haiti two years ago and nearly died....and then when my sister passed away this last August. It made me stop and think about life and death......and to make each moment count. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in what we are doing, that we forget about why we do what we do.....and what REALLY matters. Thanks for the reminders. (((((Cristin))))) ♥♥

    ReplyDelete
  7. Cristin this was such a lovely post. Sometimes I get so caught up with things happening at work and other trivial things and I forget to put things into perspective. Thank you for reminding me that a job is just a job and cookies are just cookies. The important things in life are the relationships we have with our family and friends. We have to enjoy every moment we have because none of us are promised a tomorrow. My dad has prostate cancer and has chosen to not get treated. I was angry with him at first because I was being selfish and I wanted him around for as long as possible but then I realized that it was his body and his choice and I had to respect it. I call home several times a week and I just make the most of the time we have. I pray everyday that he will be around for many more years to come but I just don't know what the future holds. If you could please think of my dad as you ride it would mean the world to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Melissa I absolutely will ride in honor of your dad and in memory of my dad. I'm sorry that he is going through Cancer and I can absolutely imagine how difficult it must be to understand and accept his decision on his care. I'm so sorry.

      Delete
  8. Thank you so much Cristin for sharing this with us. I know most of have lost someone close. I lost my grandma and my best friend in the same year and it was tough. I try not to get upset over the small things and I am so glad you reminded all of us to see the big picture. My thoughts are with you my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Lisa. I'm so sorry that you lost your Grandma and your best friend in the same year. That's very difficult. I will add them to those that I am riding in memory of. Hugs

      Delete
  9. Awww Cristin, I really enjoyed reading this. I love the two things you do to gain back your perspective. I dont think there is anything better than giving back & helping others along with getting outside & clearing your mind. Thanks for sharing your story and btw...i love your blog background for your Dad ♥

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a great post, Cristin! You honor your dad in so many ways:) I know how you feel. I lost my mom 26 years ago, and my sister 7 years ago, both to ovarian cancer. They each had such great attitudes, and I try to do the same, appreciative for every single day that I have with my family.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sue I'm so sorry for the loss of your mom and your sister, both to Cancer. I will add them to those that I am riding in honor of. I'm so sorry for your loss.

      Delete
  11. I know the spirit of your Dad is with you all the time and on every ride you do, not just the Live Strong Challenge. He's there to help you turn those pedals when you think your tired legs just can't do one more turn and he's there in every cookie you bake and in every volunteer project you do. He's so proud of his Angel in Pink and all she stands for and we are too Cristin. Best wishes on this year's ride, congratulations on your readership numbers but most importantly, congratulations on finding perspective and showing us that we too have to remember that *it's only just a cookie*.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Cristin I think it is great what you and your family are doing in honor of your father and others who have lost there lives or are dealing with cancer daily. My husband has lost one kidney and 1 part of his left lung to renal cancer. He is now on a preventive medication which is to fight the renal cells from growing. I have always cherished my life with him and hope to cherish many more years with him. He has always been there for me and our family and it gives me great joy to be there for him now when he needs me. I'm sorry for you loss.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your comment Lynda. I'm so sorry to hear of the difficulties that you husband has faced against Cancer and so happy to hear that he is still here with you and battling on. I will add him to my list of people that I am riding in honor of. He is fighting the good fight!

      Delete
  13. thanks for testing this Nick. I want to see if I can reply and you receive the message when you leave a comment as anonymous.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! I love hearing from you! Cristin