Archives

Adventure Time!

image

 

Great question! My answer would be to head to Tuscany and then Florence, Italy. A dream destination for years ever since I watched a fascinating documentary on the Medici Family and became a little obsessed with all things Medici and the Italian Renaissance period. I plan to make this trip happen after my chemo treatment is over. (Only 5 more to go!) Great wine, beautiful scenery. Ah, can’t wait to be living the dream.

A bigger question could be why aren’t we living our dreams and instead, waiting for that magical chance to happen instead of planning and reaching our goals.

We can come up with all kinds of excuses. Can’t take time off from work. Don’t have the money. What’s the point of trying, it won’t ever happen? How sad, no dreams, no vision, no chance. What a horrible way to go through life. Not believing in the possibilities and making no effort to even try.

What do you think? If you could take off right now, where would you go? Are you up for making and living your dream?

dream-beautiful-dreams-come-true-eiffel-tower-Favim.com-761583

 

In Memory of Glenn Frey 🎼🎸

This is why Living in the Moment is so important. You never know what the next day holds.

🌹🌹🌹

Hearing about the loss of Glenn Frey (co-founder of The Eagles) my first reaction was, this has been an incredible week. First David Bowie, then Alan Rickman (Severus Snape – Harry Potter) and now Frey. My husband said we’re at that age and I said for what, everybody dropping dead?

But, commiserating with my best girlfriend I reflected on what I say all the time:

 

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Glenn Frey image

Glenn Frey (November 6, 1948 – January 18, 2016)

Ch-ch-changes🎤🎸

Cool, Innovative, Influential, Superstar. David Bowie.

David Robert Jones (January 8, 1947 – January 10, 2016)

◊◊◊◊◊◊

“Turn and face the strange/ Ch-ch-changes/ Oh, look out now you rock and rollers/ Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes/ Turn and face the strange/
Ch-ch-changes/ Pretty soon now you’re gonna get older. Time may change me
But I can’t trace time.”  “Changes” 1971 – Album – Hunky Dorey

◊◊◊

David Bowie has been a soundtrack in my life since 1972 with the album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. His energy, theatricality, his music period always moved me. You never knew what Bowie would do next. He was the master of transforming his persona in ways one couldn’t image. Bowie’s music embraced and changed the concept of Rock n Roll with his reinvention, musical innovation and visual presentation.

I loved everything Bowie created and the song “Changes” particularly resonated with me since I believe it was a song about youth, growing older and understanding.

“And these children that you spit on
As they try to change their worlds
Are immune to your consultations
They’re quite aware of what they’re goin’ through”

Bowie had just released his 25th studio album, “Blackstar,” last Friday. It has already received strong reviews. The song “Lazarus” was a poignant parting gift for his fans and reflects his feelings about death.

Another soul lost to cancer. Now singing in the heavenly choir.

R.I.P. David Robert Jones (January 8, 1947 – January 10, 2016)

 

 

 

 

No Fear🚫

fearfaithnot

Recently I took a fun new year’s quiz from my girlfriend. One of the questions was – “What Do You Fear?” My response was nothing. I thought about my answer and yes, I have no fear because I have faith.

fear

I believe having faith is not about walking around blind. I strive to live a conscious life with purpose. With my cancer journey, I researched to arm myself with knowledge and the ability to participate in my treatment and not just accept whatever the doctors said. When I went for a second opinion I asked questions and requested the numbers and facts. The doctors were surprised and responded that I was unusual because most patients don’t want to know. Not me, I am engaged and responsible for my life and health. I choose to participate with faith, not fear.

fearlaugh1

Having faith frees us to live our lives to the fullest. One of my favorite quotes and questions are, “What Would You Do if You Weren’t Afraid?”

celebritycancer6

◊◊◊◊◊◊

Food for thought.

 

 

 

 

Let Go…🙏

 

A friend of mine shared this video and it sums up perfectly how I’m living my life today. I used to stress and worry but through my cancer journey, I’ve learned to just “Let go, let God.”

 

Whatever your journey may be, the peace that comes with letting go is priceless.

 

 

Thankful Blessings 😇

blessingscount

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. 

blessing

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!

blessingsthankyou

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.

blessingsalive

Merry Christmas!

From my family to yours..

image

Thanks Linus for the true meaning of Christmas!

And He Shall Reign Forever!

 

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.

◊◊◊◊◊◊

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.

◊◊◊◊◊◊

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.

 

Bummed😒

Bummed that I didn’t score Adele tickets, but this too shall pass.

◊◊◊◊◊◊

smile