I finally feel like I can take a deep relaxing breath. The summer semester is finished and my work in child welfare is manageable at the moment. The family is all well, especially Chloe the dog, as she gnaws on her bone next to me on the couch. Ella and Hazel start school in less than two weeks. It seems like now I have a chance to catch up. Spending the weekend organizing the house and shifting around my study. Jason is also finished with his summer semester. I find myself pacing and reveling in my less busy schedule this weekend. Not knowing exactly what to do with myself in the absence of assignments. I sit and binge watch an apocalyptic show with my daughter. My mood is even, many months now of restful sleep. Meds are working as they should. Everyone in the family is well and the girls are having a great summer.

At the end of August, I will be having surgery. R-NY Gastric bypass. Having tried other means for a while to lose weight, I have opted after careful consideration, numerous workups and a considerable amount of pushback from concerned family and friends. I will say it now and here, ultimately knowing my body and mind the best, know it is the right decision for me. I have been through the workups twice with Mayo Clinic, the first time in 2022 resulting in deciding to try to lose weight on my own. What brought me back recently 6 months ago to go through with the procedure, was lots of education, careful consideration and rumination on the fact that I have bounced back and forth with my weight my entire life, I am tired of being overweight, after weighing the costs and benefits, the benefits very much outweighs the risks. Even considering the lifestyle changes that are irreversible I am all in on this decision. The date is August 27th for the surgery. I will take two weeks off, and work remotely the third week of September. I am excited and will embrace the monumental changes.

In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy what’s left of this summer that seemed to plow through and pass me by. I spend the weekend absorbing more of the time together with the family and remembering what is my why. I am extremely grateful for this life that I am afforded, and sometimes wonder what great luck I have to have such a loving family.

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