Grateful for .....

On this Earth Day, I'm grateful for ... well, all of it. I live on a gorgeous planet, in a free country, surrounded by people who care, and again this year I'm cancer free. What? You say the economy is bad, politics has gotten out of hand, and people all over the world are suffering. Of course you're right but so am I.

Can we agree that we live in a complicated world of beauty and challenge? Great. So the first thing we've agreed on is that We Live - at least until we die. Environmentalists tell us to tread lightly and leave only bubbles. In context, that's completely right but don't apply that to your life. Leave a legacy that includes visiting as much of this gorgeous planet as possible; exercising your freedom; and caring for the neighbors you know and those you don't. If you do this, you may see small improvements in the economy, politics and suffering. If we all do this, maybe the media will run out of bad news. It's a worthy goal.

In the meantime, celebrate Earth Day with me by looking at some of our planet's beauty.

If The Genie Asks

The brown serious nuns did not protect me from the middle school bullies. In fact, I think they made matters worse. In any case, middle school was - for me and many of us - a truly unhappy time. However, much like living through cancer, middle school strengthened me, shaped my personality and caused me to lose my hair. It's true about the hair but that's another story.

As a result of being fired in the middle school kiln, I entered high school with a different attitude. I would no longer be bullied. I didn't even realize I had this new "take no guff" attitude until a girl in the high school restroom tried to rob me and a new friend.

"Are you kidding? You obviously don't know who you're messing with," I said in a clear, calm voice as I began to back the would-be bathroom felon toward the door. "I'll give you one chance to get out of here or I wouldn't want to be you." She turn and fled in terror. My new friend looked at me like I was an alien and perhaps I was but I knew in that moment that I was a new person.

I only attended that particular high school for one year but I owe them a lot. As a result of my new attitude I shed my previously shy approach and began meeting people with a new confidence. I performed in school plays and competed in Original Comedy through the Drama Club. My best performance remains the one in the bathroom.

I share this story because I've been invited back to that high school for Career Day. I think I'll visit that particular bathroom. If I should meet a genie there who offers me a choice between reliving middle school or being diagnosed with cancer again, which fire should I choose?

New Printing and E-Printing

Adventures in Breast Cancer will soon be available for Kindle. Create Space has been retained to produce the book in both hard copy and Kindle-ready. Thanks Create Space, the hard copy proof looks great.

Remembering Mom

Eighteen years ago today your pain ended. We had two months to say goodbye - a luxury that many don't have. It was a sweet time with a lot of visitors, much laughing, many memories and a few tears. Today there are still memories and a few tears. Mostly there is gratitude for the chance to say goodbye.

Summertime

"Summertime and the living is easy." Or so the song goes. For those of us with hot flashes, summer can find us peeling off clothes faster than a Las Vegas stripper. When the man in bed with you says "You're hot!" this is not a compliment. It's code for "move over, your body's become a radiator - again."

It's true, a hot flash raises your skin temperature 4-8 degrees - Instantly. Suddenly you find your cheeks rosy, you're glistening and everyone is plotting to use you as the S'more maker at the next cookout.

My solution, buy yourself a convertible with a great air conditioning system. You deserve it baby cause you're hot!

Celebration of Life

Spring makes me giddy. The renewal of life is so powerful whether you're in the garden or simply sitting quietly contemplating the past. So many breast cancer survivors have told me how important connecting with nature has become to them. I have to agree. Being one with nature, especially in the Spring, feels like attending a celebration of life.

Today I celebrate those friends and family who have faced a crisis and emerged stronger and more centered. Who will you celebrate?

My Angry Valentine

Mom was angry. Everything about her cancer made her mad - especially the color Pink! "I'm not fighting the brave fight" she'd proclaim. "I am an unwilling participant and I will not be defined by cancer."

One thing she did like was gifts. No matter the occasion, she wanted gifts. That made her first Valentines Day with cancer rather tricky. I knew this year's gift had to carefully avoid the colors, emotions and symbols of cancer. Yet, I wanted to give her something special that would remind her how much I loved her. My solution was to think like a mom. What she really wanted was exactly what I had to give - a daughter's love.

When she opened my gift, she burst into tears. "This is so special, thank you." I had given her my heart.