Fifteen years ago, today, at the beginning of 2007, I sat in the chemo chair for the last time. It was my last 6 hours of treatment, which led to the beautiful words “cancer free.” I got to wear the elephant scarf (not sure why it was an elephant) and sign my name to the … Continue reading Cancer Free
Author: michellegunnin
A Prayer for the Slow Loss of Memory
Dad went to a service this past week where they read a prayer called "The Slow Loss of Memory." It touched him deeply. You will see why. This dementia journey is so hard to describe and put into words. This prayer makes it easier to understand and also gives us such hope. For us, it … Continue reading A Prayer for the Slow Loss of Memory
Tis the Season…of Loss
I am a holiday lover. I guess growing up in a home with a mom who decorated for every holiday season rubbed off on me. And the Christmas season is the biggest celebration of the year, where I redecorate the entire house for a month or so. Boxes and boxes of decorations are stacked in … Continue reading Tis the Season…of Loss
Another Tribute…
It seems I’ve been writing a lot about loss lately. These posts are not intended to be eulogies as much as acknowledgements of lives that matter to me. Tributes. The most recent death is Dad’s sister, Joanna Hunter Hathcock. This one took our breath away with its suddenness. A reminder that life is short and … Continue reading Another Tribute…
For Bev
I don’t know when I first met my childhood friend Beverly Stripling. It seems like we have known each other forever, because we went to the same church for decades. Her death this week has me nostalgic. One of my first memories of her was fighting with her during our elementary years. One incident in … Continue reading For Bev
From the Kitchen of…
I come from a long line of southern cooks. Hand prepared meals are our family love language. For every occasion, there is a recipe. For every cook, there is a taste. When we sat down to eat Thanksgiving dinner, each person was represented on our plate. Both Grandmothers, my Aunt Betty, and of course Mom. … Continue reading From the Kitchen of…
Have We Learned Nothing?
Did the George Floyd murder teach us nothing? Nothing about pain? Did being shut up for a year with time to ponder the string of murders of People of Color and reflect on their reality have no effect on our hearts? Did the numerous murders teach us nothing at all? Nothing about grief? Nothing about … Continue reading Have We Learned Nothing?
The Braves Bubble
I have been a Braves fan since I was a young girl, back when you could walk up to the window at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium and buy a ticket 5 minutes before the start of the game and make it to your seat on field level before the first pitch was thrown. Back when … Continue reading The Braves Bubble
Life is Short
Life is short. It’s a phrase we hear often…and it’s accurate. Compared to eternity…or even compared to history…our lives are but a blink. Small blips on a never-ending timeline. We usually use this phrase to remind ourselves of the brevity of life, so we will remember to focus on truly living to the fullest every … Continue reading Life is Short
Dance On
My friend Mildred died recently, just one week from her 101st birthday. I last saw her at her drive by 100th birthday party last year. She waved and smiled at each guest as a long line of vehicles queued up and waited their turn to give a word of congratulations on becoming a centenarian. She … Continue reading Dance On