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 |  My journey through (and beyond) the valley with Cancer as my companion. |
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Dear Friend: This is not a Blog about writing! (I already have one of those.) This is a blog about a journey I am taking with illness. I have recently been diagnosed with Cancer. My goal is honest therapy as I progress through, and beyond this new reality in my life. I hope that, somewhere along the way you will find some words that will help you too. While this is, in fact, an interactive Blog, I hope that you will scroll slowly down this page. For you see, the front of this Blog IS my journey. The entries are conversations that are held along the journey.Yes, there is a lot on it--before actually getting to the Blog entries. But, I hope that by the objects and words which appear before the Blog itself, you might come to understand just a little bit about me, and my journey, and some truly amazing friends who have agreed to journey with me. I hope that you, too, will choose to accompany me on my walk--through the Valley. I invite you to join me, and discover the wondrous truths, meet some truly amazing people, and share those "memorable" moments this journey will undoubtedly present. Come along, won't you? In His Care, ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Would you like to help me help others? I found this amazing organization, and I am proud to be a sponsor. I hope you will check it out. It's called The Network For Good.  ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** "RISUS OMNIA - INCRUMENTUS PER DEDECUS - SAPIENTIA PER DAMNUM" ("Every thing is funny - Growth through humiliation - Wisdom through loss") ~Leunig~ The hilltop hour would not be half so wonderful if there were no dark valleys to traverse. ~Helen Keller~ "If you do not tell the truth about yourself you cannot tell it about other people." ~Virginia Woolf~ ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** "There is strength in truth." ~The Barton Family Crest~ ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” — Helen Keller, American social activist, public speaker and author (1880-1968) I have moved the list of my thanks for those who have helped to make this little Blog so very special. I hope that you will take a moment to read the list, growing every day, and let these fellow travellers along this journey know that you appreciate the contributions they make to our walk together.
** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4 ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Please feel free to click on the Blog Rings icon below to be transported to some of the very best of the Best Bloggers around WDC. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** If you are new to WDC, or to our Blogging community, I highly recommend the monthly edition of "The Blogville News". Feel free to click below, and let scarlett_o_h know that a Blogger sent ya! Hey! We've started a Christian's Blog Ring on WDC. Click on the logo, and join us! ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** Budroe
 Ring LeaderI have three publications at the moment. Here is a link to purchase my latest one. Buy a great read, and help a fellow writer out, Okay?  ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** |
| It is not necessarily the Christmas Season that is stressful. Many of regular life events, occurring during this holiday season, are stressful. Occurring during these holidays seems to add orders of magnitude to what would normally be already stressful events. They make irreversible reminders for our future living. My Father died the day before Thanksgiving. My Sister's birthday is December 30. She died in 1967, yet this day does not come without remembrance of her, her life, and her suicide. Her birthday was the day before mine. This has a real effect on my birthday. Knowing that beloved family members will not be at the feast table are constant reminders not only of their deaths, but the joys and sorrows their lives brought to that table, as well. The only time I was ever involuntarily terminated from employment was on December 24th. Yes, I do always remember. These are but a few examples of what I mean when I say the calendar adds stress to this season by varying orders of magnitude. Any one of these events would bring more stress than a human should be required to endure. Having them during these holidays only piles on the stress. If you are unable financially to bestow the blessings of Christmas on those who surround you, whom you love, throw a couple more orders of magnitude on the pile. The stresses of this holiday season visit us all. Everyone gets them, and no one is exempt. Why is this so? 1. We have belly buttons. We are human. It is a part of human nature to remember, recall, and recount things of value from our past living. 2. The seeming incongruity between what the season should bring to mind, and what it does bring to mind can be crippling, 3. We never forget, but it seems that during these times we remember much more clearly. For me, the major stress of Christmas is to overcome these three points. How do I attempt to (and sometimes even do) do this? 1. I was born. My life has had so many good and valued times that I cannot possibly resent, regret or wish away my life. I remember, recall and recount those events which lifted me up, allowed me joy, peace and happiness without feelings of guilt or sadness. 2. I accept that there are some powerfully sad memories related to this season. But there are many, many more joyous, wondrous, and magical things to bring into the forefront of my thoughts, words, and deeds. Whether it is because of, or in spite of the other things, I cannot say, but I believe the reality is in a bit of both. 3. I welcome those memories, because I believe that any life worthy of tearful sadness upon the parting has most definitely been a life worthy of laughter and continuing or renewed joyful expression when it was lived, and shared with me. It's not the season's fault. It's mine, and I am the only one who can affect the "temperature" of the season around me. The stress of Christmas is something that, finally, I am grateful for. So many absent remembrances return to the center of my being that I cannot help, if I am honest, feeling joy, and happiness upon their return. The focus for me once again returns to the journey, and not so much to the destinations of life. I live again, in the "now" of life. This is a place I very much prefer. It is also a place I highly recommend. Yes, there are some painful steps to get there. So? For me, it is well worth the pain to get to the glory. I wish for you the same this holiday season. Make the trip. It's not easy, it's just worth it. |
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