Words from the Heart

I did it!  I walked the LONG walk, up the mountain and raised over $125 for the Rays of Hope and ultimately, Cancer Connection, which is where I volunteer as a Reiki practitioner.  Cancer Connection provides free programs and support to cancer survivors and their families/caregivers. Word's seem inadequate...In brief, just as we started to walk, it started raining, but that didn't dampen anyone's resolve.  Musicians and performers supported the walkers along the way; there were also a few unexpected sights, like the folks that hung a pink sweater outside their home on the route for the walk.  At the end, my beloved made me a hot bowl of chicken soup, which I gratefully devoured after a hot shower. I will let the pictures tell the rest of the story. Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

Cancer is one word that conjures up images of the Grim Reaper faster than many others do.  However, modern medical science has come a long way in battling this insidious bandit of life. Over the years, I have lost two paternal aunts, several dear friends and a large number of acquaintances to breast cancer. What is sad is that in many of the cases, death could have been prevented had they taken the time to do a self-exam, reporting to the doctor that they had found a lump. I am not sure why it is that women are afraid to go to the doctor when they find a lump.  Perhaps it is modesty, or fear that they are being overly cautious. Perhaps it is difficult to fit into a schedule that is filled with demands from family, friends and/or career. Whatever the reason, it is wiser to make the call, see the doctor and deal with the truth. This week I will be walking, again, in the local Breast Cancer Awareness walk. As I walk, I will be meditating on those who have lost the battle,...

October, with all its glorious autumn color here in New England , truly showcases the biodiversity of nature.  Trees that were every shade of green are now ablaze in various shades of orange, red and yellow.  No two look a like, which always amazes me. In my travels through the valley, I came upon two trees.  One had actually grown around the other.  One was a maple, resplendent in reds.  The other was a tall pole pine of deepest green.  I had to take a picture. When I got home, after uploading the picture to the computer I noticed that the way the maple had grown around the pine created the shape of a heart.  The picture below shows you what I see. This got me to thinking deeper thoughts.  If Nature in her wisdom can create an image of Love from the biodiversity of two completely different trees, then surely, we humans can find it in our hearts to love one another.   When you think about it, there couldn't be a better examp...

Searching the shelf for a book of poems to take to my granddaughter's 5th birthday event, I had not planned on finding a poem that would spur me on to write, today.  The poem, written in my mother's hand was probably originally found in the pages of the Boston Globe or Good Housekeeping magazine, both of which she read religiously.  The Blessings of Grandchildren - My Cherubs 2010 As I read it, tears welled in my eyes.  Knowing my Mom and how much she loved her grandchildren, I know she must have copied it down with the intent of sending it off to one or several of them.    She could see the struggles they had in life, but was not always in the best shape to concentrate on helping them.  In the last years of her life, Mom was not the easiest person to be around.  Dementia and pain made it was difficult.  Visits were few, short and often emotional. That said, I know without a doubt, that Mom loved her grandchildren. My Girls with thei...

Image via Wikipedia October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which unless you live in the middle of the most remote area of the country, devoid of phone, cable, cell, computer and any other electronic devices that might connect you to the world, is something most everyone knows, even little kids. Nine years ago, I wrote an article for the local newspaper in the town I lived in explaining how we need to wake up and stop acting so Victorian about our bodies.  ( Click here to read that article.) Three years ago, I wrote a blog post on the subject, which you can find here .  In it, I gave several links to resources for those who wanted to educate themselves on how to care for themselves and their breasts. This year, I am proud to be part of a month long event ( A Blanket Tour ) with Women on Writing.  Each day this month, you can read articles celebrating National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Each post is a unique voice discussing some aspect of breast c...

Cover via Amazon The rain is pouring, literally, outside the window.  In the background, my Beloved is playing the blues.  Yet, here I sit, doing what I do best - writing , and looking for a silver lining behind all the gloom. Serendipity is a great companion to have when looking for silver linings. For instance, during his weekly trip to the library, Rog was drawn to a book.  The minute he picked it up, he knew it was for me.  Slow Love: How I Lost My Job, Put on My Pajamas and Found Happiness , by Dominique Browning was just what I needed! Opening the book, I was delighted to find a kindred spirit. Here was a woman of my age who was experiencing what I was living with at this very moment. Dominique 's sense of humor, reflective honesty and inspiring wisdom has enabled me to realize that all WILL be well. Let me give you a glimpse of what I have read.   After years on the fast track as the editor-in-chief of House and Garden magazine, Dominique sudde...