It was a cold day in March, you could feel the crisp air joining with the spring sun as the seasons transitioned. The sound of birds singing filled the air and the first sign of spring flowers surrounded our neighborhood as the tulips were beginning to sprout from the winter ground. Just like Mother Nature, here Beau and I were in a state of transition ourselves.  We had just transitioned out of two very challenging chapters on our cancer journey; the completion of pre-surgery chemotherapy & a successful thorecotomy surgery that resulted in the best case scenario of a lobectomy versus a full lung removal. I had overcome several major complications and we were looking ahead at what we hoped was the final step for active cancer treatment, post surgery radiation therapy X30 days.

As we reflected upon all that we had been through, most of which was too challenging to fully put into words, I couldn't help but long for more. Cancer had taken so much away from me/us but yet much like the tulips beginning to bud that spring, I knew that the best was yet to come for me, us, our relationship and our little family. I thank cancer because it took the noise away and for the first time in our relationship, we were forced to take a deep dive into us. For me, I was eager, or shall I say desperate to grow from this experience and for me that was beginning to take shape through the connection to my mind, body, and soul. I was searching for grounding, for that connection to my soul, questioning who I was and who I want to become in any and all of the ways.  

While scrolling Instagram one night, I discovered that there were several companies out there focused on adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. Many of which offered some type of outdoor experience to get 'your life back' post cancer. Right off the bat, this resonated with me somewhat but not entirely. As I sat with this more, I was able to figure out why I felt this way and to me it was this, yes I could go enjoy any one of these experiences but it would just be me. That would indeed be healing in more ways than I could possibly imagine but it just didn't feel entirely right in my soul. Instead I was craving an opportunity for Beau and I to reflect, experience, and grow together because if I've learned anything during my time as a professional in the fight against cancer and now as a human who's life is impacted by cancer, it was that cancer does NOT just affect the person diagnosed.

Shortly after I discovered this longing in my soul, I discovered True North Treks, a company who's mission statement read "our mission is to empower young adults and caregivers affected by cancer to "find direction through connection." I dug deeper and deeper and as I learned more, I knew that this was exactly the right opportunity for us. The treks appeared to be filled with mindfulness, yoga, meditation, connection, nourishment, and nature. This was every single thing I was longing for. While this was everything I hoped for, I nervously approached Beau because much of this was new to him. To my greatest surprise, he responded that night without hesitation by saying he was 100% IN! 

Last week we headed out on our trek which led us to the Upper Penisula of Michigan and we continue to struggle to put our experience into words simply because it was everything we hoped for and yet so so so much more. It was so much more in fact that Beau and I have commmitted to raise $1600 to ensure that a future survivor and caregiver combo get to experience the exact same magic that we did.

Throughout the month of October, Beau and I will be utilizing my Instagram handle @that_grateful_life to share and reflect on the things we learned, reflected upon, and experienced while at the Walden Institute. It has 1000% changed our lives and our relationship for the better and we look forward to gifting that same opportunity to another young adult and caregiver because while cancer takes away so much, it also allows us to let go and create. And both of these, letting go while simultaneously creating has been the most freeing chapter yet both individually and together.

In closing, we kindly ask that you help us to pay it forward by considering to make a financial contribution of any amount.  

"Let go of the ways you thought life would unfold; the holding of plans or dreams or expectations – Let it all go. Save your strength to swim with the tide. The choice to fight what is here before you now will only result in struggle, fear, and desperate attempts to flee from the very energy you long for. Let go." - Dana Faulds (While on Trek, each day is filled with numerous poems which allowed us to reflect, let go, and create. This was one of our favorites)

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for helping us to PAY IT FORWARD. 

Love, hugs, and our upmost gratitude,

Morgan and Beau