Archive | December 2015

Thankful Blessings 😇

Dec30

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My life is a bounty of blessings and I feel thankful each day.

I’m celebrating yesterday being the halfway point in my chemotherapy! Yay!! My doctors and care providers have been amazing and I’ve had such a positive experience with minimal side effects. So many angels surround me and lift me even higher than I imagined. 

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Another major blessing in my life was having my babies (grown babies:) home for Christmas. We had so much fun laughing and playing games as a family like we have their entire lives. They both felt relieved to see me and know that I’m strong and determined to get through my treatment and come out even stronger on the other side.

My son had to return home to Denver the day before this sixth chemo treatment but my daughter was able to be with me for my day in the infusion suite while having my chemo session. I was so happy to have her there with me to play games and see exactly how the process works so it was no longer a mystery. She lives in LA and this was her first visit home since I started my colon and breast cancer fight and journey. Such a blessing!

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I can’t express enough how thankful and blessed I feel every day for my family, friends and quality of healthcare I’ve received. All too often we aren’t aware of the grace in our lives until something happens to stop us in our tracks and force us to see how blessed we truly are. My cancer journey woke me up to how much I have in life and I’m grateful for it.

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And He Shall Reign Forever!

Dec23

 

G.F. Handel Messiah

“The Messiah”

When I was in Middle School I was a member of the Choir and every year at Christmas time school choirs from across the metropolitan area would come together to perform Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus from the Messiah. To this day, I still feel the passion and exuberation I experienced those many years ago whenever I hear my favorite choral piece.

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The Messiah is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, with a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible, and from the version of the Psalms included with the Book of Common Prayer. It was first performed in Dublin on April 13, 1742, and received its London premiere nearly a year later. After an initially modest public reception, the oratorio gained in popularity, eventually becoming one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music.

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This Christmas performance by our choir was, for me, the highlight of the season! This was the early sixties and integration was an ever present topic and the city-wide chorus was an opportunity to bring all schools, black and white, together to celebrate the birth of Christ and to also bring together children who otherwise might never have met to learn and understand that we have more commonalities than differences.

So, in honor of the season and the celebration of Christ’s birth, I present from Handel’s Messiah the Hallelujah Chorus.

 

Thank you, Adele!

Dec15

When you’re feeling kind of funky, low energy, out of sorts, what do you do to lift that veil? Is it movie therapy, a little cruising music, or maybe a long walk? I’m always curious and open to ideas and methods to work with my moods. I used to fight them, but that’s not healthy. I’ve learned to embrace each one, the good, the bad and the ugly.

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Well, I was feeling out of sorts yesterday but I got some work done, fleshing out a marketing proposal and completing the assignment for my Digital Marketing class. Then I remembered Adele’s special was coming on and all of a sudden, a broad smile began to spread across my face.

“Million Years Ago” – Adele 25

“I feel like my life is flashing by
And all I can do is watch and cry
I miss the air, I miss my friends
I miss my mother; I miss it when
Life was a party to be thrown
But that was a million years ago”

I love, love, love Adele! That girl can “sang!” Being old school, I want to hear vocals, pure tones, and power. Well, Adele has all that and more! She is the real deal and truly the voice of her generation. I respect her brilliant song-writing talent and the intimacy of her lyrics. Yes, like a billion other people I downloaded her brilliant album, “Adele 25″, the day it was released and listened to it over and over at my chemotherapy treatment. Once again, that broad smile spread across my face.😃

Thanks Adele for coming back and sharing your gifts with the world!

P.S. So glad you’re touring the states. When you come to a city near me, rest assured, I’ll be there!

The Wisdom of Dr. Seuss

Dec8

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I believe in thinking outside the box and creating my own reality so Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel) definitely speaks to me. I’m not sure if it’s because I just posted “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” on my other blog iheartfilmblog.com, but the wisdom of Dr. Seuss feels like a practical way of living life.

 

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One of the most incredible aspects of my cancer treatment has been the remarkable healthcare professionals I’ve encountered. From day one, I’ve felt that my care and success has been in the forefront of my doctors and support professionals minds. The thing they all have in common, a Dr. Seuss philosophy of approaching my journey with a positive attitude and a belief in enjoying each and every day.

 

Having just watched “The Grinch” I’m reminded that our attitude affects every aspect and quality of our lives. How it plays out depends on you.

 

 

God has been holding my hand from day one and the superior care and uplifting in prayers and love from family and friends have helped give me the wings to be fearless in my fight against cancer. And as Dr. Seuss would say, “You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so… be on your way!”

Thank you, Dr. Seuss, for the inspiration and dedication to making life fun and purposeful!

 

 

 

Lesson for the day: “Live in the Moment.”

Dec4

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Living in the Moment!

After my final radiation treatment for breast cancer, I was kicking myself because I didn’t snap a selfie with Rachel (my technician) as I had intended, but at that emotional moment I totally forgot. Then, I came across a story on E Online that made me rethink my momentary memory loss.

At the premiere for ‘Black Mass’ with Johnny Depp, an old woman is captured – in the above photograph – as the only one not trying to take a picture like the others around her, she is gleefully living in that moment. (love her lavender frames.)😎  After treatment, my elated feelings were in real time, like the old woman’s and not about trying to capture that moment in a frame. That shot made me understand, It’s okay DM, there’s a lot to be said for “living in the moment.”

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Have Confidence in You!

Dec2
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Elle Woods “Legally Blonde”

“Confidence can be a self-fulfilling prophecy as those without it may fail or not try because they lack it and those with it may succeed because they have it rather than because of an innate ability.” Wikipedia

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I’ve praised my mom in a previous post (read here) about her ever positive state of mind and how that has impacted my world view. Another gift my mother gave me was Confidence. The belief that I could do anything I put my mind to.

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Confidence is an incredibly powerful trait to possess. It gives you wings to try and the belief in what others may see as impossible. I have no doubt that my self-confidence is responsible for the amazing opportunities and experiences I’ve had in my life.

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My acting career in community theater came about because of my self-confidence. There are those who might believe that at age 40 becoming an actress might seem like a long shot. Not me, I had the confidence and where with all to bring my own accompanist that I had rehearsed with for my audition piece. Confidence plus preparation equals success!

 

When we “Erase all Doubt” we open a vast avenue of possibilities:

My colon and breast cancer journey would be a totally different experience without a positive attitude, self-confidence and faith. It’s opened my eyes to truly living a life with purpose.

 

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Have Confidence in You!