Pausing ....

I sat with why I haven't blogged for over a week. This happens periodically from time-to-time -- either life is busy or I'm just not in the mood. But this time felt different. When I paused it came to me why I took a mini-hiatus.

One word: Cancer

I just "watched" a friend die of pancreatic cancer through the internet. I hadn't seen this friend IRL for probably 30 years.

Pretty much right after the news of his death came the news of another friend going on Hospice. She has inflamed breast cancer and it has spread to her liver. Again, it's probably been 30 years since I've seen her. But, she was my roommate for a year. We were close at that time. And then we drifted apart. As friends sometimes do.

This has caused me to reflect. These two special, giving people are MY age. Forty-eight is much too young to die. They both have children, like me, only older by a bit.

Then I remember when my sister died of overian cancer. She was 44 years old and left behind a 7 year old and a 17 year old. The one who was 17 -- he just lost his father this past week from cancer. He is 30 now and an orphan.

Then I drift back further: My mom died of cancer when I was 20 (almost 21).

So sad. Cancer is mean. It robs people of life and leaves loved ones mourning. It causes the survivors to reevaluate the mundane things we complain about. It helps me to think, "no matter how difficult my life gets, I do not have cancer." Cancer is sneaky and deceptive -- it is a predator, leaping onto its prey without warning and shaking the life out of them.

And those of us who bare witness, watch in horror at the sight, knowing there is little we can do, but hold them gently in our hearts.

It's My 23rd Anniversary

Today is my 23rd Wedding Anniversary. Our "song" was, "Up Where We Belong," by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes. It's also known as the theme from the movie "Officer and a Gentleman." That was one of the first movies Jim and I saw together. Little did we know when we chose this song that there would indeed be "mountains in our way." But just as suredly, we "climb a step everyday." The refrain says it all:

Love lift us up where we belong
Where the eagles cry, on a mountain high
Love lift us up where we belong
Far from the world we know
Up where the clear winds blow

We find strength in each other. We are a team. There are lots of difficulties in our lives -- but we hold on tight to each other and make it through. I love you, Jim! Each and everytime I hear this song I am swaying in his arms, hearing his soft voice whisper the words into my ear as we danced before our family and friends.

Life, Blogging, and the Internet

I haven't blogged for quite a while.
That's sort of odd for me.
It's seems I've been observing
The things the surround me

The internet, a powerful tool
Keeping me aware of situations
I "watch" an old friend die of cancer
While his family prepares his funeral
Another family prepares for their
Premature triplets to come home

It reminds me just how precious life is
How precious and continuous
Someone dies, someone is born
Some mourn
Some celebrate

And I stand witness
In the middle of joy and sadness
Holding a gentle place in my heart
For them

Somewhere in between
In "real life" they say ...
My mother-in-law grows stronger
Enough to start talking about moving her
From rehabilitation to assisted living
She's happy now and appears pain free
She'll call a new place home
Lots to juggle there

And while I witness from afar
Life goes on at home
Things are broken and need repair
Doctor visits everywhere
Keeping calm among the storms

Life, Blogging, and the Internet
Pausing, allowing, witnessing
the things that be

"Product" vs. Shampoo

Ok, this just hit my daughter and I in a way that made us laugh out loud -- and several times since. Friday we went to get our hair cut at Mason and Friends. We used to just go to the local Hair Cuttery, but when my daughter decided to donate 11 inches of her hair to "Locks of Love" we switched over. We got a coupon in the mail for a free bottle of shampoo which we redeemed a visit ago. We decided to buy more of it since we both really like it. As we checked out the cashier said, "I've added your products (we also bought some hairspray) and your total is..." Then as we started to leave I had left the bag on the counter. The cashier said, "Don't forget your product."

When we got home and parked the van in the garage the shampoo and hairspray had rolled to the back of the van. I asked my daughter, "Where is our 'product'?" We just couldn't help laughing about it. We decided that it's shampoo and hairspray when you buy it in a grocery store, but that it is "product" when you buy it at the salon. It really wasn't all that expensive either. When it comes down to it, it is simply because this salon is service oriented. They treat their customers in such a way that you come out feeling pampered. And, if you want, you can purchase "product." No pressure -- only if you want.

Well, it made us laugh.