Dear Reader:

Fall has fallen with blessings more numerous than leaves. As I had time yesterday to slowly go through and read each birthday card and look at all the surcies bestowed upon me…I realized, once again, how very blessed I am.

I must say that I am getting more outwardly emotional with time…as I read each of your cards…I tear’ed up over and over….with an occasional chuckle in between. Thank all of you so much for these wonderful expressions of love and friendship!

My surcies came in all shapes and sizes…from Boo Pumpkins to artwork from Ireland, an “Artful Cross” of courage with a key to open, good luck blessings charm, a serenity candle, wonderful perfume lotions that smell so wonderful (Mollie’s special Beauty Counter creams) special note cards, and outside glorious mums of every color…happiness is!

Mandy, knowing how much I love signs and plaques got me a sign holder for every season and holiday….I am set for the year!

For Friendship: (Excerpt from John O’Donohue)

May you be blessed with good friends, and learn to be a good friend to yourself, Journeying to that place in your soul where there is love, warmth, and feeling. May this change you…

…May you treasure your friends. May you be good to them, be there for them and receive all the challenges, truth, and light you need.

May you never be isolated but know the embrace of your “anam cara.”

*Anam cara – “Mo Anam Cara” – Translated as “My Soul Mate” or “My Soul Friend” The ancient Celts believed in a soul that radiated about the body. They, also, believed that when two individuals formed a deep and lasting bond that their souls would mingle. Therefore, each person could be said to have found their “anam cara” or “soul friend”.

We need to all pause at different times throughout the day and think of all those special people in our lives that have become our anam caras’ over time and space. What a difference their presence in our lives have meant to us!

So until tomorrow…like the little Fall Blessing says…let us remember to cherish the small things and give thanks for all the blessings bestowed upon us.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

Mums, more mums and garden utensils….happy happy!

Look what Vickie got me for my birthday-I love it!….Okay here’s the tweet Sammy…you leave my car doors and rear-view mirrors alone…and I will ‘send you a sweet tweet.” Okay? Truce?

It is time for me to continue gearing up for the Race for the Cure  this year because, as I have experienced first-hand, it really is a race…in most cases, a race against time, a race for life… time for new drugs to be marketed and targeted at prolonging life within a diversity of individuals…all of whom have unique genetic make-ups that work with certain drugs and not others. We need more drugs to choose from when the ‘going gets tough’ and for that we need more money for research.

So let’s all unlock the key of courage and step forward to help those who can no longer help themselves…as we all know difficult times provide the opportunity for the best of the human spirit to appear and reign strong.

*Just a note…some of you have experienced a problem donating to me as a team member…I texted Lisa Jones, who is amazing, and a special friend who runs the communications sector of the race. She checked and said my name was set up for donations….she believes that the problem might lie in not scrolling down farther on the donation page. (But again…if you have problems…just send it to the team…we are all the spirit behind the cause.)

Becky,

So I went in and searched for you and did not have any problem.  I think your donors are not scrolling down far enough.  I have attached a screenshot of what I see when I search for you.  Let me know if this solves the problem.

Thanks and I hope you’re doing well.

Lisa Jones