Are You Not Afraid?

                                         Everyday is a brand new day,
                                         everyday is a journey.






I cannot say,
Beneath the pressure of life's cares to-day,
I joy in these;
But I can say
That I had rather walk this rugged way,
If Him it please.
S. G. BROWNING

Having a recurrent carcinoma has in a way prepared me for any pandemic that may hit us. It has come as a surprise to many of my friends or co-workers just how calm I have been during this virus crisis. I am often asked if I am afraid to be an essential worker or even going out in public, because of my cancer. The truth is, I am not afraid. I guess I have no fear, mostly due to what I have already experienced. Each time my cancer returned, there was something new for me to learn. I've long accepted the fact that I could die from cancer.

When I was a young woman, I feared death immensely. I feared what I would "feel' laying in the ground amidst the worms. I was worried that they would begin the embalming process and I wasn't really dead. Silly, isn't it? How could I feel anything if I was dead to begin with? Yet, these were some of the things that ran through my mind.

As a born again Christian, I feel so much calmer about death and illness. If I were to get sick, then I guess I would start the  process of treatment all over again, whether it is with the virus or the cancer. My time here is limited no matter if I have cancer or not, I will eventually die from something. Besides, I don't feel as if this is "the end" of my existence overall. Maybe here on Earth, but my journey continues on with My Savior.

I think we are ready to rejoin the community, at least the work force. We all should at this point know what we need to do to stay safe while in the public atmosphere. We all know the do's and don'ts of this virus. So am I afraid? No, but I am very much aware of what has to be done on my end. As long as everyone does their part, we will be just fine.

Have a blessed day everyone.

A Welcoming Cleanse

                            Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey


The tissue of the life to be
,We weave with colors all our own
,And in the field of
 Destiny
We reap as we have sown.

—Raphael.

The Heavens opened up in a downpour that was fast and furious. In one quick sweep, all the filth was washed away. That's Heaven for you, cleansing the Earth from top to bottom making everything look pristine once again.

I love a good ole thunderstorm with lightening flashing across the sky. Never cared much for the drizzling kind of rain as if it couldn't make up it's mind whether it should rain or not. That's a lukewarm kind of thing to me and no one cares for anything lukewarm.

Don't you wish you could do that with your own life? Just wipe the slate clean and do a do over?

All Winter long, my joints felt pretty darn good. Oh yes, there were moments of swollen legs when the cold air hit, but they didn't hurt. I've forgotten what the cold and dampness does to one's joints. Everyday this week, I have woken up feeling as if being hit by a semi. Everything hurt. Every single joint in my body from my head to my toes ached and keeps on aching.

I wondered if I moved to a dry heat State if my legs would hurt like this? Would they swell up? I often wonder if I am living in the wrong place for my health. Would it be easier for me and my cancer? Who knows? Sometimes, I think we all need something to ache to remind us of how good we really have it when it doesn't. We tend to forget and appreciate our everyday ordinary life.

Whenever it rains and Emily gets stuck in it, she welcomes it. To her it is like being Baptized all over again. Well, it's been raining this entire month of April a.k.a. the coronavirus month. Maybe a good cleansing is in order.

Have a blessed day everyone.

Some Java Please

                                                Everyday is a brand new day,
                                                everyday is a journey.




Because I spent the strength Thou gavest me
  In struggle which Thou never didst ordain,
  And have but dregs of life to offer Thee--
    O Lord, I do repent.
SARAH WILLIAMS.


One of my routine tasks involves dropping this young lady off at work. As you can see, it is in the middle of the night, a whopping 2:50 a.m.!

 Here she is on different days during the past Winter opening up. One would think she would be afraid to be by herself in the middle of the night, but she loves it. 

 Everyday, she opens and prepares the place for when the crew arrives to start their day. She bakes fresh croissants, muffins and bagels.

                             
 Of all the different places she had worked, this is her favorite shift to work on, because for the majority of it she works alone. 

So that my friends, is how my day ends and hers begins. 

Have a blessed day everyone.

Just Share It: Linda Ellis

                                Everyday is a brand new day,
                                everyday is a journey.

Judge not; the workings of his brain
And of his heart thou canst not see;
What looks to thy dim eyes a stain,
In God's pure light may only be
A scar, brought from some well-won field,
Where thou wouldst only faint and yield.
ADELAIDE A. PROCTER.

The other day at work, one of the mechanics comes over to share with me a poem that was read at a funeral he attended the night before. Now, this mechanic is a big, burly guy and he was brought to tears with this poem. I was extremely intrigued to read it since I have never heard of it before. I have to warn you, it's a real tear jerker. Enjoy my friends. 

I read of a man who stood to speak at a funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning… to the end.

He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time they spent alive on earth and now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own, the cars… the house… the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard; are there things you’d like to change? For you never know how much time is left that still can be rearranged.

To be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile… remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is being read, with your life’s actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you lived your dash?

Have a blessed day everyone.

Living Life Well

                                              Everyday is a brand new day,
                                               everyday is a journey.
                                                               

When anyone provokes you,
 be assured it is your opinion 
which provokes you.
time and respite,
 you will more easily command yourself.
—Epictetus.

Living life well is probably the number one quest of every person dealing with a chronic illness. We all want to live the best life possible, because we know we cannot live the life we once had. It's that simple. 

Living life well means something different to everyone. Quality of life is the very fabric of our wellbeing. It shapes how we feel about ourselves, the people around us and the world itself. What may seem like the most important thing in my life, may not seem vital in someone else at all. That is why it's so difficult to place value on what is right and what is wrong when it comes to our chronic illness. We all make decisions based on our own lifestyle and needs. 

My needs have changed drastically since that first year of diagnosis back in 2007. The same can be said about the year 2013 and even now. I have been doing a lot of thinking on this subject these past few months. My 13th. cancer anniversary is fast approaching and I've been wondering what it is that I want in my own journey. 

I've been preaching preventive medicine all these years and I am still a huge advocate of it. The thing is, what about the people who have no insurance or keep getting denied Ct. scans? It's not their fault if insurance companies have their own idea of what preventive means. It's not their fault they cannot afford insurance. What do these people do then?

This is where living life well comes into place. What can I do here at home without the doctor? I have instilled a regiment of vitamins and supplements. I have changed my diet drastically over the years. It didn't happen overnight, I kept giving up or substituting foods a little at a time. This year I have begun an exercise routine several times a week. 

I've also started thinking about my mental health. What? Yes, my mental health. How can I eliminate the stresses in my life? Stress affects our health in a huge way. I started journaling, coloring, crafting more and reading. I have thought about what brings me peace and joy. I've avoided any drama or confrontations with others. I want to live  a peaceful existence. 

What does living life well mean to you?

Have a blessed day everyone. 

The World Keeps On Turning

                                   Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.


Lord, I my vows to thee renew

disperse my sins as morning dew

guard my first springs of thought and will

and with thyself my spirit fill

Thomas Ken

Life around here has been pretty quiet ever since the outbreak of the coronavirus. At least at home. Emily and I head out into the world for two reasons: Work and an occasional grocery shopping trip usually just for fruit/greens. We try to limit our activities outside among people as much as possible, always asking ourselves if this is a necessity for us or not. Emily has been experimenting in the kitchen as she has more time on her hands. Her work hours have been cut in half.

 All the quiet that we have been experiencing at home does not extend into our work force. For me, work has continued on even though many of the people are not here. They are coming and going, using their vacations, fmla or anything else they can get hold of in order so they can stay home. People are either afraid, want to shelter in place or continue working. Either way, there is plenty of gossip, innuendos and drama. People really do lose their way when in a struggle of any kind. They don't band together, instead they separate and the "me" mentality takes over. I shouldn't say all, but a good portion really show their ugly side.

 Restaurants and stores are offering curbside ordering. Businesses are still operating via the internet. Churches are using Facebook to preach online.  No matter what is going on, the world is still turning. People are adapting to their situations. The need to survive, to thrive is strong and no one can take that away from you.

We will come out of this, we will adapt and succeed. We may need to address how we do things, but we will be fine.

Have a blessed day everyone.

Just Share It:Sarah Geringer

                             Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

A memory without a blot 
or contamination must be 
an inexhaustible source of 
pure refreshment.
—Charlotte Brontë.


 Social media has exploded with images of couples living their best lives ever, mostly on Valentine's Day. What young girl wouldn't be a bit envious, especially if she is waiting on her Prince Charming. For a long time, Valentines Day has been a very difficult day in our home. For many young girls it can be a day full of anxiety and envy over their own futures. They watch as couples give each other exuberant gifts of love. When will it happen to them? We never cared for Valentine Day for that reason alone. We all want to feel special and loved, don't we? To all the young girls waiting for their loves, I hope you read the following. I so felt this author's pain as she reflected on all her years of wanting her own flowers from her very own Valentine. Enjoy.

If You Don’t Get Flowers Today
SARAH GERINGER

Listen to this devotion

“It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in people.” Psalm 118:8 (NLT)

I carefully lifted my windshield wiper to retrieve the frozen pink rose that cold Valentine’s Day years ago. A freshman in college, I had stopped by my car to eat a snack between my morning classes and excitedly wondered who sent me this surprise. My heart pounded in anticipation.

Starting up the engine for warmth, I rubbed my palms together before opening the attached card. The rose was from … my mom. Her words in the card were kind and encouraging. So why did I still feel empty inside?

The truth was, I wished the rose was from a secret admirer. A young man, not my mom. Since my last date had been an embarrassing dud, spaced far after the previous one, I longed for a new romance to fill me up. My guilt and loneliness combined into a frustrating mixture.

I felt like a cup with no bottom.

No matter what I put inside the cup, I didn’t feel full. Roses, chocolate, books, TV shows, fantasies and even relationships couldn’t fill it. Loneliness seemed to be the only thing filling that bottomless space, and I was weary of its constant, haunting presence.

My parents divorced when I was 4 years old, and the day my daddy left was the day loneliness took up permanent residence in my heart and mind. Though I wished it would go away, I had no power to push it out the door. Loneliness lingered every time I craved love and attention that was in such short supply.

Then in high school, I developed resentment over the flowers and gifts I saw lined up in the cafeteria every February 14. None of them were for me. I believed the devil’s whispered lie — None of them will ever be for you. You’ll always be lonely.

About 15 years after that frozen-rose morning, I sat in a counselor’s office. After listening to my stories of constant loneliness, he observed, “Relationships are very important to you, aren’t they?” His simple, judgment-free question was a pivotal point in my spiritual journey.


Have a blessed day everyone.