Is this real life?

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I moved up to Denver on Friday night, and have been camping out in my apartment on an air mattress; my stuff should arrive late this week.  I live off of exit 206 (an homage to Seattle) on a street called Franklin (an homage to Nashville’s little sister) next to Cheesman Park (an homage to me, the cheese man).

Over the weekend, I was invited to watch a movie with strangers, made friends with two brothers who own a wine shop, had an incredible seafood meal, lunched downtown with my mom and sister, ran into a friend from high school in the park, organized my closets, bought a brushed nickel trash can for the bathroom, went on 2 runs, tried my new shower (it is awesome), and visited a church.

I keep driving around, thinking, “I can’t believe I live here” – and not because I’m shocked at the reality, but more because it doesn’t feel real AT ALL.  It’s like a fake life.  I’m like this kid.  I know that it will become more real with time, but right now, it feels like I’m pretending.

Well, then, here’s a hefty dose of real life: Mom’s chemo starts today.

Cancer’s going down.

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13 Comments

  1. Val on January 4, 2010 at 11:55 AM

    GO MOM!!! LET’S KICK THIS CANCER IN THE FACE!!!!!

  2. Kristin McGary on January 4, 2010 at 12:39 PM

    If you ever need someone to go skiing with (or if you need someone for anything, really), I’m just 45 minutes away! I know we didn’t hang out all that much in Nashville, but it could be helpful to see a familiar face. (for you… and for me!!)

    PS. Whenever you start playing out and you need someone to do harmonies, will you call me? I’m shameless, I know, but I miss singing like you have no idea.

  3. Dad on January 4, 2010 at 12:54 PM

    I can’t believe I AM here – it doesn’t feel real AT ALL. It’s like a fake life. I’ve been saying all along I have pretend cancer. Right now, it feels like I am pretending. But the REAL drugs are now dripping in, and my eyesight is blurring. WTF? There’s a hefty dose of real life.
    soon I’ll go to the hospital to get a pic line installed, due to medical professionals’ communication breakdown, and trying to get a surgery done on New Year’s Eve before everyone left. Afflicted, but not crushed, perplexed, but not driven to despair, persecuted, but not forsaken, struck down, but not destroyed. That’s a dose of real life, too! love you and all your blog friends!
    mom – not dad

  4. Peg on January 4, 2010 at 1:40 PM

    Go get ’em Annie’s Mom!!!
    And Annie – that “pretend” thing…I think all big changes some with a dose of I-must-be-on-vacation. The older I get the longer it takes to adjust to the changes, but I pray that it will be made real for you in people to meet (wine store guys), sing with…etc.

  5. Crystal on January 4, 2010 at 1:41 PM

    Brothers who own a wine shop = dream come true!

    But more importantly, many, many, many prayers for you and your family, AP!

  6. becca on January 4, 2010 at 3:12 PM

    mom uses ‘wtf’. she is so totally kicking the ass of cancer.

    you are welcome in greeley any time that you feel inspired – which may require a lot of inspiration. but greebs and i will visit your apartment soon too.

  7. Erin on January 4, 2010 at 3:36 PM

    way to be present! sometimes, that is the roughest part of moving. i’m just now feeling like i’m out of the haze of married life…we’re no longer “newly married”, we’ve got a groove going.
    i like the music that’s playing.
    God has purposed you to be where you are for this season. i’m glad you’re THERE.

  8. Katie on January 4, 2010 at 4:26 PM

    How is it that you have lived in Denver for 2 days an ran into someone from high school? I lived there for 6 years and never ran into anyone.

    Praying for you and your family.

  9. Rod on January 4, 2010 at 5:26 PM

    Some thoughts: Your mom’s use of WTF, and simple signature of “mom-not dad” is lengendary! Secondly, Denver is so not the real world, Nashville is! And finally, take a picture of the pod once the doors are opened, I want to see if Hunter’s packing job lived up to the cross country adventure.

  10. FW on January 4, 2010 at 9:34 PM

    Hang in there, Annie’s Mom – there are more people praying for you than you know…

  11. Mandy on January 4, 2010 at 11:44 PM

    Encouragment: my mom beat breast cancer’s ass three years ago.

    Comment: Love your homages.

    Jealousy: How did you get that much done in one day?!?

  12. Little AP on January 5, 2010 at 10:13 AM

    In your face, cancer! I’m praying.

  13. Shannon on January 5, 2010 at 2:13 PM

    I LOVE DENVER! I live in Washington Park (shout out to seattle, for sure). And you live close to Cheesman. We should be friends.

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