The day after. Life went on then, as it goes on now. We grieved then. We rebuild now. Like the phoenix rising from the ashes, we stand, years later, looking forward…restoring buildings, building museums, and trying to determine the best way to remember while still moving on. I believe the resilience of the human spirit … Continue reading 9-12

I am careful what I watch. Being a dreamer, I learned the first time I ever watched a scary movie never to do it again. Images bleed over into my dreams, which are already more real than life. No need for any additional images to compete with what I deal with already. However, there is … Continue reading 9-11

This scripture has been on my mind lately. Exodus 3:5 "Do not come any closer," God said. "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." Usually when God has something to teach me, he brings it to my attention more than once. I saw a photograph that started this … Continue reading Holy Ground

A friend told me a story on Sunday that I want to share with you. It is a Louise story. My friend Joanne has a cousin who she recently talked to at a family reunion. In the midst of their conversation, Joanne found out that her relative was attending First Baptist of Gainesville. This was … Continue reading A Louise Story

Have you ever thought about how a small flame of a candle can transform? Candles have the power to change an everyday meal into a romantic event, a ferocious thunderstorm into a family game night, and a hot bath into a luxurious retreat. We use them to create intimacy in large spaces and to generate … Continue reading Candles

I lost another friend to cancer last week. Shelley was a beautiful woman and she fought gallantly to the very end. I saw her a few weeks ago, when her liver function was failing. For me, it was just weeks after Louise’s death, so the pale translucent skin and sunken eyes spoke volumes. Yet her … Continue reading Loss

First. I am doing well. Much better as far as pain goes. I am off the big med during the day for the most part, unless PT pushes me to the point I have to have it. I am using a walking stick most of the time, however, in public, I still feel safer/stronger with … Continue reading Time for an update

Story for the day. Auction Kings, baggage wars, storage wars, how its made, and on and on the list of boring shows goes. Boys are at band camp, and work. Bill sleeping since he works nights now. I am on my own all day…limited movement, pain meds, foggy head…no writing…no reading…both make me nauseous. I … Continue reading A story

I have had many surgeries over the past 6 years or so…all after my cancer diagnosis. This latest one went smoothly as far as complications, needles, anesthesia, all of that. However, pain wise…this is some of the most intense pain I have been in. As a rule, pain medicine and I do not agree with … Continue reading Purpose in the Pain

I had a meltdown at midnight Wednesday night. Not intentionally of course, nevertheless I lost control of my tears. I was sleeping deeply when they came to check my blood pressure. I asked for help to the bathroom, because I am hooked up to three different machines while I sleep, plus my drain and my … Continue reading Melt Down