Wednesday, July 23, 2008

You Don't Know What You Can Do

Breast Cancer has taught me to try new things and Never say Never.

As a child I was art-challenged. Coloring in the lines and manipulating those little scissors just wasn't going to happen. In middle school I thought I could manage some paper-mache. I set out to create a cute little mouse for art class. What resulted was an out of balance, 4 foot glob of wet, gray newsprint with whiskers. I thought "I am no artist. I will never try this again."

However, as an adult, a friend gave me a coloring book and some pencils. I found it relaxing to blend the colors and, yes, I often managed to stay in the lines. During chemo I often reached for those colored pencils to create a bit of beauty. I found myself thinking of new ways to incorporate art and color in my recovery. With a coat of paint and some embellishments, small pieces of cast-off furniture became islands of color. They made me smile.

I don't know what possessed me, but when I heard that The Reading Group was raising funds by selling chairs painted by local artists, I called them and volunteered.

Me! An Artist? Never say never ladies. If we can make it through Breast Cancer, we can get past the old programming that's holding us back. You don't know what you can do until you try.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Book Signings

Hi friends:

I am scheduling several more book signings. If you have a cancer-related fundraiser, let me know.

Friday, July 25 - - Relay for Life of North Naperville/Lisle. 20% of all proceeds will be donated to the Relay for Life of North Naperville/Lisle.

August 9 - - Lombard

October 3 - - Gallery 510 in Decatur

Past Events
Sunday, June 22 - - Wind Water & Light Gallery, Downtown Champaign from 1-3 p.m.

Friday, May 2, 2008

Book Signing at Champaign IL Relay for Life


I'll be signing copies of the newly released Adventures in Breast Cancer at the Champaign, IL Relay for Life at Centennial High School on May 17. Stop by and Walk for the Cure!

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Is "I'm Sorry" Adequate?

Often people claim they don’t know what to say when they are told someone’s facing a challenge. Most of the time, they’re wrong. It’s not even what they say, it’s how they say it. You get a real sense of caring.

Sometimes, just three words said with real sincerity can become the Gettysburg Address of Love.

Then there are others who are correct. They really don’t know what to say but they start talking anyway.

Here’s my best advice: If you’re not sure which category you’re in, let me suggest that you keep away from anything that suggests:

1) It’s no big deal
2) It’s somehow the fault of the person facing the challenge, or
3) It’s a punishment from God

It’s also a good idea to refrain from sharing stories where a person went in for a lumpectomy and came out with a lobotomy.

Most of all, it's not what you say - it's the way you listen.