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Ch-ch-changes🎤🎸

Cool, Innovative, Influential, Superstar. David Bowie.

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

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“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

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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🚫

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.

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.

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?”

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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 😇

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.

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!

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.

Merry Christmas!

From my family to yours..

Thanks Linus for the true meaning of Christmas!

And He Shall Reign Forever!

“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.

Bummed😒

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

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Thank you, Adele!

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.

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!

Angels

To all the Angels in my life,

Thank you!

The Wisdom of Dr. Seuss

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.

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!

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