As exhausted as I am from all the whooping it up I did over the holidays, I’m contemplating throwing a huge party. For myself, in fact. It might even be a surprise party, since I don’t know exactly when it’s coming. But it’s coming. Champagne, dancing, balloons, cake, tequila shots, fabulous party dress (and shoes), fantastic food, kids falling asleep under tables, neighbours complaining – the whole nine enchiladas.
The idea came as I was getting ready for New Years Eve, thinking about what I wish for in the New Year.
You don’t have to be particularly clairvoyant to figure it out. Obviously, whenever we get the chance to make a wish in this family, we pretty much all wish for the same thing: that I become completely free of cancer. (Well, probably everyone but Georgia, who I figure is entitled to wish for pet unicorns.)
I was thinking back to all the New Years wishes in the past and how having cancer has distilled my wishes into this one thing: to live. Because just like every other family, we have lots of other stuff going on that we could wish to make better or easier or even just plain go away… but facing an illness that is sneaky and life-threatening and a giant pain in the @ss makes wishing to be rid of it kind of an easy top pick for the ol’ wish list.
And then I got to thinking how very sick and tired of having cancer I really am. Truly. Ca suffit, already. I got to thinking how badly I want this wish to come true — how much I just want that life back where we didn’t know what it meant to have to fight and fear and hope with such desperation and hold back the tears or let them come and just deal with it all the time. I got to thinking of my favourite dream, which is to hear myself telling and retelling a story that ends with “…and then it just sort of disappeared, and the doctors still can’t find any trace of it anywhere, all these years later!”
I want to say that sentence more than anything in the whole world. And preferably sooner rather than later. And that made me think maybe I should up the stakes for this wish of mine; add a little incentive to make it come true. Put my money where my heart’s desire is, so to speak.
Hence the party idea. So this year, with my one wish in mind, I am formally extending an invitation to come celebrate with me when it comes true. The day I hear that I am free and clear of cancer, I’m inviting you all to a party to celebrate cancer’s demise and my freedom from its tyranny. I’m daring cancer to make me make good on this.
And I’m extending the invitation to every single person who reads this blog: you and your kids and partner and really whomever you deem a worthy attendee, capable of whoopla and hoopla and just generally givin’ ‘er.
I’m not kidding. I’m confident that I can totally pull this off because I happen to count all of this town’s best event producers among my closest friends (including my mother) and when I say I’m throwing a Sayonara Cancer party, I know I’ve got the resources to back me. I may not have the space to cram you all into my house, it’s true, but whatever the venue, the theme is the same: Sayonara Cancer. Bye-bye Jerkface. Adios Gigantic Bummer. And don’t you come back no more, no more, no more, etc.
So what do you say? RSVP at your leisure.
I’m going dress shopping as we speak!
I’ll be checking my mailbox for the invitation. Hope it gets here soon!
Tequila shots? I’m in!
SO can’t wait Leanne. We could even do a pre-party party? Just say – for practice. xoL
Pass the hats, pass the booze, Deborah and I are in. But no karaoke unless I’ve had a few tequila shots thank you, and everyone else is 3/4’s in the bag. We’ll party all night, all night long….opps sorry. No singing yet.
Will wear the dress but I think I’ll pass on the shoes and just go barefoot, thanks. I’m the one who would just fall off my shoes after a few of those tequila shots anyway. Looking forward to the party of the decade!!!! 😉
Happy New Year Leanne – I can’t wait to get the invite to the party – count us in.
Booking my flight as we speak… This is one party I’m not going to miss!
I will mark my calander as soon as you set the date. Can I do jello shots?
Count us in, we are a family of 5. glad to accept your invitation.
Look forward to meeting y’all!!!
BY THE WAY, CANCER I hope the door smacks you in the @SS on your way out. – Your @ss will be aching anyway, from the multitude of kicks you’ll receive from each and every attendee @ this rockin’ event!
Great idea, as soon as I have the date, I will be there (maybe only in spirit, but I will be there!)
Mary Lou
Take it one step further, Leanne. Choose the date.
Sounds excellent. Can’t wait to meet & celebrate with you. And I’ll bring my girls (7 & 5) to party the night away with Georgia.
No need to ask twice, we’ll BE THERE!!! xo
Name the time and place. I’ll bring champagne.
Count on us. We’ll be there.
L
J
I think back to days of simpler times and the great imaginations and fun we had! I think about you often and had no idea you were dealing with this. I love your blog and plan to follow your journey to fabulous health! Hugs, Julie
I will be there and we will dance on tables and break plates
TAKE THAT, YOU CANCER MO-FOS!!! STANDBY FOR THAT ROYAL CAN OF WHUP-@SS ABOUT TO BE SERVED.
Once said whup has been delivered, bust open the doors and “rockstar” it. To the roof in stilettos, I say! Who’s in? Iain and I will be there, girl!
This may be one of your best ideas yet (and you’ve had some good ones!). Love it. Wouldn’t miss it. We can hardly wait!!! Whoop-whoop. xoxo
I’m in!
I’LL FLY IN FROM WHEVER I AM IN THE WORLD!!
LUVS YA FROM ITALIA, AT THE MOMENT ~
JO LEE Xxx
Set the date and I’ll fly the Pond!
A truly inspired idea. We can revel, celebrate, and bring dishes to smash and totems to smash to set up a sort of psychotic-yet-positive, crazy and threatening energy force field that will keep that sneaky, deceptive cancer on its knees in terror.
A truly inspired idea. We can revel, celebrate, and bring dishes to smash and totems to bash to set up a sort of psychotic-yet-positive, crazy and threatening energy force field that will keep that sneaky, deceptive cancer on its knees in terror.