Dear Reader:

Kaitlyn sent me this message Friday and I had to read it a couple of times for the meaning to become ingrained. When it came to the part of “Reject the brutal, reject the beauty” I paused..I can’t reject beauty? And then I re-phrased it as “If we reject the brutality of life, then we also reject its beauty.” I got it! We can’t have one without the other. Great metaphor of interconnectedness.

Life happens for us…not to us.

If we go through tough times….it is because we are being strengthened in our faith and love for those exhilarating, wonderful days ahead. Too many blue sky, sun-shiny days and we find ourselves taking them for granted…even bored with them. If life were too easy…we would never have a chance to reveal our true character hidden under societal expectations.. We could live under a pleasant-looking mask for the duration of our earthly stay.

What a great sense of accomplishment it is to struggle, then find our footing in faith before slipping and falling! And even falling is sometimes a good thing.

Think about Alice in Wonderland for example:

Inside each of us, there is the seed of both good and evil. It’s a constant struggle as to which one will win. And one cannot exist without the other. Eric Burdon

The way I look at this latest health “conflict” is that hopefully this particular battle is over…I would be gratefully relieved if that happens. However, I know that the war against my invisible, formidable enemy will most likely continue. It is a matter of ending one battle and staying alert to the next or continuing the fight within this latest discovered battle site….knowing that eventually love will win out. It always does.

Let me take a minute to thank all of you for your cards, calls, emails, comments, texts, and stop-by’s. I know your prayers have yielded much power and that I do not go alone into this unknown diagnosis but I am armed with your concern and caring. The most powerful weapons.

I was thrilled when the doorbell rang late yesterday afternoon…there stood Jo and Colby…my favorite grandmother/granddaughter twosome. They arrived bearing early birthday gifts since they would be out of town next weekend.

A “Boo,” a pumpkin pillow, the best wish card from Winnie, and look at this necklace and bracelet….two more “winks” to wear next Monday. A “What Cancer Cannot Do ” bracelet (my favorite lines are ‘invade the soul”  and “kill the human spirit.”) And look what this beautiful necklace symbolizes. Jo and Colby you spoil me to death and I love it!!!!! And You!!!!!!!!!!!

Susan Swicegood, Kaitlyn’s mother, sent me (yesterday) a wonderful anecdote inclusive of today’s blog message….here is an excerpt from her comment.

Becky,

I learn so much every time I read your messages. They inspire me to look beyond my own pain and worry and remember there is still much beauty and joy to be had.

When I was learning to drive my dad would say 10 times a trip, Susan, don’t hold the wheel so tightly, if you give it a little slack it will be much easier to steer. He also turned off the radio and forbade me to wave or blow the horn (which was my favorite thing to do) concentrate on where you are going, he would say. I did learn to drive a stick shift and that really made me pay attention.

Even though I tried to do all those things there were rocks in the road to try to go around, or detours from the only way I knew to go. I’ve been lost so many times it ridiculous. Now we have GPS to help us navigate and cell phones to call for help. I now have a back-up monitor that blares at me if I’m about to hit something. It mostly just makes me nervous.

I have learned that even though you plan and pay attention life takes you in a different direction. Things appear that you never expected. However there are still beautiful mountains and sunsets to enjoy. Friends to accompany you on many of your journeys and God sitting right next to you even if it doesn’t always feel like it.

………………………

*I see now where Kaitlyn gets her gift for writing. Susan, you are so talented! Thank you for taking the time to share your life experiences, literally, and metaphorically. Perfect message for today! So glad we are all family now.

So until tomorrow….Let us all “Embrace life, with all its up’s and down’s, then live well and hard and real.”

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

*Monday afternoon I am wearing my cross bracelet, my dolphins bracelet, my what ‘cancer cannot do, my faith can move mountains ‘necklace and my moon flower pin for good luck.

I wore them Friday for my second eye surgery check-up and I can see so clearly…long distance and up-close and personal… that it is almost scary. Dr. Scarlett was beaming she was so pleased….two great eye surgery outcomes….hoping the old adage, “Good things come in three’s holds out Monday for me.”