Sunshine take a deep breathe.

God has allowed rays of sunshine to peak through the clouds off and on during the course of this journey.  I want to share one of those rays of sunshine.  I am so fortunate to have such a supporting family, our journey has not been a walk in the park by no means.  This sun ray by way of a quick vacation was a welcome of fresh air for us all.
The surprise cruise was planned for my mother and I this April (I am born on my Mother's birthday we celebrate it most of times together).  Two of my sisters, my niece and one of my daughters put a cruise packet together for our birth month, and a chance to celebrate life. 
There was no scheduled information initially about the transplant.  I ended up being transplanted end of February and under no circumstances could I go on a cruise in April.  They contacted the cruise representative, and were told that our cruise could be scheduled when we could take it.
The trip was scheduled for September praying that the transplant would go well.  Nothing was a guarantee but we prayed that God would favor our desire.  He did we all got our passports, dotted all the i's and crossed our t's.  Six month post-transplant appointment went well, so we prepared for the cruise.
 Now who would imagine going through a complete transplant and in six months afterwards going on a cruise in another country ah definitely a "God thing".  I never told anybody but I did not think that I would make it on the cruise.  Make it oh my goodness, I made it with flying colors.  I walked everywhere we had to be except for the embarkation because it was such a far walk, along with the fact that everyone except me voted for me in a wheeled chair.
There were many things to do on the cruise, but my favorite thing to do was dress and get all together and talk. We had a lot of time to do that.  This is the first time we have all been together and I feel as well as I did.  We laughed, and spent time just loving each other without a cloud hanging over our heads.  We had an uno bash too (I did not win).
 It took lots of planning, and keeping it away from me (in other words I was not in control of nothing I did not like that part)was such a blessing. I so appreciate Rida, Wanda, Nae, and Rolonda going out of their way, and succeeding to make it a wonderful birthday/life celebration.
The rain falls, but I am grateful to after the rain the He allows the sun to shine. It is because of His Son we live, we move, and have our being according to Acts 17:28.