Thursday, April 12, 2007
Unexpected News
Yesterday morning I got a surprise phone call from Lief's partner of at least 16 years who told me that my friend, since 1988, has a sudden, serious health problem and has asked me to come to San Francisco Saturday to participate in a healing circle. No question, I'm going .... and will be leaving Friday afternoon and returning Monday evening. These frightening phone calls are getting more frequent it seems. This is the third, at least, in the last 8 months. My sister, Jane, was diagnosed with breast cancer in August and just finished chemo and radiation a month ago. She is doing fabulously well now that she is cancer & treatment free. Christmas Day, our wonderful, long time family friend for 55 years, Marc, did not wake up after he and his family entertained us Christmas Eve with fabulous food and led us in singing traditional Christmas carols. This is part of the second half of life and we have to go with the flow. This is my challenge....to realize and accept that there will be joy and there will be loss or at least fear of loss - back to back. The key for me is to take it a moment at a time and to experience whatever is happening fully. I'm grateful for the little that I know of Buddhism and meditation that has helped me to be in the moment. While the moment may be painful it is rich with emotion and love. Right now I am filled with gratitude for the connections with all the people who have been in my life and even for those I have not yet met. The potential for loss makes life all the more precious and meaningful.
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2 comments:
Nancy, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend's health problems. That does certainly seem to be a bigger part of our lives at this age. I'm reading Joan Didion's remarkable memoir, The Year of Magical Thinking, right now, and it's reminding me how illness and death are there waiting for all of us.
For me these events are strong reminders that each new day is a gift to be celebrated and enjoyed to the fullest.
These are also times that we draw closer within our circles of friends and sisters. There is much comfort to be found in those arms and hearts.
I'm holding you in my heart for this difficult journey. Hoping the healing circle is powerful. Go in peace. Love, Deb
How to enter your thoughts......
Ok, I just figured out how to blog. Hit the comments word and it will take you to a Google registry. You need to enter your web address and a password as instructed by Google. This does not mean you have signed up for Google, but have registered to use this blog.Hopefully this works for all of you that have been trying to comment.
Maureen (mo)
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