We all could use some more wisdom

It is easier to be wise for others than for ourselves.
Francois De La Rochefoucauld

The art of being wise is knowing what to overlook.
William James

The first step in the acquisition of wisdom is silence, the second listening, the third memory, the fourth practice, the fifth teaching others.
Solomon Ibn Gabriol

For sake of clarity, I would like to say that I do not profess to be wise.  I found these quotes and really liked them so I wanted to share.  I know that I have had some wise moments, lest anyone feel the need to comment, but I have also gotten lucky.

Susan

Saying Goodbye To The Red Devil

Adriamycin is a chemotherapy drug that is bright red in color and well known for being extremely toxic hence the nickname Red Devil.  My Doctor was pleased with how well my cancer responded to this drug but elected to only give me 4 doses of it as it poses a serious risk to my heart to do more than that.

Whenever I have been put on chemotherapy I have been given a printout of all the side effects and symptoms to be on watch for and what to do if the symptoms persist.  If you ever find yourself in these shoes, keep in mind that this reading material should be reserved for a time when you are feeling pretty good.  It can be downright scary.

I had my last dose of Adriamycin and Cytoxan yesterday.  Today I had my injection of Neulasta to boost my immune system after the tremendous hit it just took.  I learned today that taking over the counter Claritin has been said to help with the tremendous pain that follows this injection so I picked up some.  I will let you know if I notice a difference because in the past I have suffered a lot of pain.

It is strangely true.  Claritin minimized the pain I was in and the duration.  I am not sure why this works but it did.

The plan from here is to take an oral medication to help keep things at bay and when things progress I will have to go back on chemotherapy.  My doctor states that it is unrealistic to think that I will get the cancer into remission and be able to go off treatment.  I will take this under advisement but I still believe in the power of prayer.  I have a lot of people praying for me across the country.  I owe them a debt of gratitude for taking time out to remember me.  Thank you everyone!!

Susan

Family Ties

I'd like to introduce my second cousin Eduardo Seda to you. Susan met him a couple of weeks ago when we took the opportunity for lunch in Denver.  Eduardo was one of those distant relatives that surfaced from time to time, fondly thought of, but not there in our day-to-day growing-up lives .  Although we are both present on the same family tree, the limbs are not close and neither was our relationship.  How could it be, I was raised in Fairfield, Maine and Eduardo grew up in Puerto Rico.  

We share the same great-grandparents.  His grandmother and my grandfather were siblings.  You've already met his grandmother, she was my Aunt Yvonne.   Now, Aunt Yvonne was an original.  In an era when women were not educated beyond the necessary, she valued education and learning and strove to excel, even walking miles to take classes at night.  She raised her three daughters exactly that way too.  They broke the mold of living typical, French Canadian, Central Maine lives (not saying there's anything wrong with that lifestyle).  Those three sisters were all strong, interesting and independent women, good women in their own way.  Eduardo's mother, Lois, went to college in Boston and there she met and fell in love with an interesting man (not sure if he was another student) who was Puerto Rican.   They moved to Puerto Rico and eventually had four children, Eduardo, Maria, Rosa, and Marta.   Occasionally, their paths and ours would cross, but we never got to know them as we did the rest of the clan who had stayed close to the home fires. 



Aunt Yvonne



Fast forward to present, after those in my generation had grown, married, and raised our families and those in our grandparents generation were gone.  Our family tree was bigger and more splintered but I had heard through the family grapevine that Eduardo was a medical doctor, a radiologist.  And, somehow, I knew that he lived in Denver (there IS a point to this whole story).

Back in October 2009 when we knew that there was something very wrong with Susan, we were dismayed that she could not seem to get her MRI scheduled.  Late one Friday evening when I could not sleep, I set out to find Eduardo, I wondered if he could help.  It didn't take long to locate him, there he was on another cousin's Facebook page.  I immediately sent him a long email message, told him what was going on and asked for help or advice.  Very early the next morning he replied and provided some phone numbers and contact information for Susan to call on Monday, as well as his cell number if we needed it.  Susan was able to get the MRI promptly done and in fact, Eduardo did the interpretation.  On her MRI report, he stated among other things (horrible things) that Susan had a distant family history of several types of cancers.  He was referring to his own grandmother and mother's cancers ( though he didn't come right out and name them).

During this whole saga, Eduardo has been my mentor, advisor, and cheerleader.  When it has looked desperate, he would say 'I don't want to give false hope, but"........and then he would encourage us with positive information.   When Susan was headed to Maine in September with a painful right hip full of tumor and an MRI of the hip done but not read, I emailed him again. We wondered if it was safe for her to travel, we were afraid of a hip fracture so far from home.  He replied in eight minutes.  Eight minutes.  He said, "I just looked at her MRI, be careful, use a wheelchair in the airports, take it easy, have a good time".  We went with caution but without the fear of the unknown. 

I knew Eduardo was my cousin and a radiologist.  I did NOT know what a wonderful, interesting, smart, and compassionate man he is. He has a quiet and gentle way about him, he is so gifted but more humble.  He understands me in a familial way, "the Mainer in you" as he says.  His way of saying I am blunt speaking (and not any different than his grandmother was). I still have not met his wife and two grown children and we look forward to, as Eduardo puts it, "family time" to get acquainted.   This is a joy we would not have except for this journey we have been set upon.

I am so grateful to Eduardo.  He has helped me over some of the puddles and bumps in this journey.  I am awestruck however because of that still, small, voice that whispered to me late that Friday night, "get out of bed right now and find Eduardo, he can help you".  Truly, how can we be afraid when we have the Wonderful Counselor who knows all,  loves best and watches over us 24/7.



Tumor Markers

Tumor markers are a way of testing how much cancer a person has and how active it is.  Cancer releases a substance in the bloodstream that can be measured and this is how tumor marker numbers are determined. When I was diagnosed with cancer in Oct 09 my markers were at 297.  Six months of chemotherapy brought that number down to 188 before it began to climb.

Since my cancer is estrogen fed my ovaries were removed this past summer and the next day my markers dipped but within a short amount of time they began to climb again.  The all time high was 1105 taken back in Sept/Oct 2010 which led me to this current round of chemotherapy.

Shortly after the first of four treatments of Adriamycin and Cytoxan the tumor markers measured 662.  After the second treatment it went down to 398.  On January 20, 2011 I again had my tumor markers tested and they had dropped to 346.  While I am thankful for the direction, I can honestly admit that I was hoping for more of a drop.  When you look at how much it dropped after the first and second treatment you can see why I was hopeful.

Tomorrow, I am going to receive my last of the four treatments and then my Doctor and I will make a decision about what to do next.  Please keep in mind that the tumor markers need to be under 36 to register normal.  Also, tumor markers are not a reliable way of measuring how much cancer a person has.  I pay attention to the numbers but a false high can show up when a lot of the cancer is dying releasing a large number into the bloodstream.  This is why Doctors use other measuring tools like PET scans for ongoing information and treatment planning.

Please continue to keep me in your thoughts and prayers.  I will continue keeping you posted via this blog and facebook.

Susan

When Life Knocks You Down...

The Karate Kid movie arrived courtesy of netflix this week.  I had seen the movie with my mother in Florida, when it was out in the theaters, and really enjoyed it.  Just like the first time I saw it tears slid down my face when Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) delivers the line "when life knocks you down you can choose to get back up".  If you have not seen this movie I encourage you to get it.  I found it very inspirational and very true.

Life will without question knock us down but only we can decide to lay there and feel sorry for ourselves or to get back up.  This is not always easy.  If you have ever had the wind knocked out of you it might take a few minutes of laying there stunned before you get back up.  At times, getting up is only possible when a good friend extends a hand of encouragement and a little momentum. 

This movie delivers on getting up when life knocks you down, facing your fears and the importance of friendship.  I would like to say more but I don't want to ruin it for you if you haven't seen it.  I know a little bit about all three.  I have laid on the mat a couple of times and contemplated the wisdom of getting up.  Some days it would seem like a better idea to stay down.  When I find myself in that situation I am overcome by sheer curiosity to find out what is next on this journey.  So far, I have not been disappointed.

If you are finding yourself in a struggle keep getting up.  It might be the last thing you want to do.  It might feel like a terrible idea but there are sure to be good times coming up around the bend.  You don't want to miss those do you?  Of course not, you have more fight in you so keep going.

Navigating our individual rivers

We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities. Ralph Waldo Emerson

This quote reminds me of that Garth Brooks song The River.  It is a beautiful song.  It is a very beautiful song. If you haven't heard it in awhile or if you have never heard it consider looking it up on youtube.com

He sings of taking risks, living a brave life and meeting opportunities with a head held high.  It encourages each of us to weigh the pros and cons and consider them against the regret of not trying.

I know that sometimes the going gets rough.  Some days it is difficult to determine if you are overcoming obstacles or receiving a few knocks intended to let you know you are heading in the wrong direction.  Keep on course and re-evaluate often.  If it becomes clear the latter is true then change course immediately. 

Our Excellent Adventure

Yesterday, Susan and I embarked on a long anticipated adventure.  We went “Typhoon Bordeaux” hunting.  Now, lest you think that the altitude has affected our mental status, let me assure you that Typhoon Bordeaux is a particularly lovely type of granite.   So, off we went to Denver, and after an errand or two, we found ourselves in the granite district of Denver (much like the flower district of NYC).   Susan has been relishing this kitchen remodel project and has invested hours of research and creative thinking into her definition of perfection.  So to be able to share in the “piece de resistance” of the project (so to speak) was quite wonderful.  

Susan was like the proverbial kid in a candy store, beaming from ear to ear, and wondrously wandering around the gigantic (and freezing) barns of the granite warehouse, comparing, admiring and inspecting the various slabs.  She knew just what she was looking for having spent hours pondering the various effects of color, pattern, and sparkle in her kitchen.  She was on a mission to find the particularly perfect slab of Brazilian granite that would fit the bill. 

Susan has suggested that everyone should go granite shopping at least once in their lives, just for the sheer enjoyment of it, and I am inclined to agree with her.  It is absolutely mind-boggling.  There is a color and pattern to satisfy every taste.  There are jet black slabs with gold flecks, whites with black flecks, blues,

greens, burgundies, grays, and every color and combination under the sun.  There are some that are muted and understated (almost boring), others classy and formal, and some that remind you of 4th of July fireworks with pop and sizzle.  We found ourselves using words like "character, personality, cool, and warm" to describe them.  I felt quite important and pondered a second career in the granite business just to be around this beauty all the time. 

After all was said and done, we got more of an education yesterday than a final decision.  She is still on the hunt for the PERFECT piece.  So thankfully, the quest continues and we get to play for a day or two longer.  This is the kind of decision that is best drawn out and savored, exactly like the gorgeous stone that will decorate their kitchen for years to come will be.  Ah, the sweet agony of it all........

The Final Selection...Niagra Gold - very similar to Typhoon Bordeaux

 

Everyone needs a snow day

We had a nice snow storm with cold temperatures last night into this morning.  Since I work for myself and can easily shift appointments, I decided to take a snow day.  I do not like being out on the roads or having my clients drive across town when there is just no need for it. 

It was so nice to linger in a warm, soft bed and have a leisurely breakfast.  My husband came home with our son and we had a fun morning.  A lady in our church had given Tan a zebra 3 in 1 scooter/bike from Vtech toys and the baby was exploring it and pushing all the buttons as he sat on the seat.

Snow days are like mini vacations or mental health days.  It is a pajama day where you move at a slow pace and give yourself permission to say no to whatever does not appeal to you.  Ahhh...such a nice luxury.  The best part of Colorado Springs, in my opinion, is that we can have a pretty snow storm and also that it quickly and rather politely melts away so that it doesn't cause much of a bother.  By this afternoon the roads were already melting. 

I am from Maine and so it almost seems wrong to stay at home in my pajamas when I am fully capable of driving in two inches of snow.  I said almost because mental health days are vital and so are vacations.  I wonder when the last day you had a snow day or took a break from your routine?  If it has been too long and you are a bit stressed plan one for yourself. 

Step one:  go to the grocery store and stock up on treats like hot cocoa, marsh mellows and fun breakfast food.  Step two:  take your mental health day by making the proper arrangements with your employer.  Step three: sleep as late as possible, linger in bed, eat a fantastic breakfast and do only what you want to do.  You might be tempted to organize your closet but resist this and every other productive and work related impulse.  Step four: repeat as often as possible for maximum benefit and good results.

I Have No Value

In my practice I use a list of negative cognition's.  I give it to my clients as we set up for an EMDR session.  As we focus on our target I ask them to look over the list and tell me what negative cognition best describes how they feel about themselves related to the issue we are targeting.  Though I ask for a statement I am often given several.

"I am a disappointment.  I am permanently damaged.  I am shameful.  I am stupid.  I am worthless.  I deserve to die.  I am ugly."  The list goes on and on.  They feel in their heart of hearts that they have no value.  They do not know that they are children of God.  They do not know that they were crafted and woven by a God who loves them.  They are lost.

I do not market myself as a Christian counselor.  I have a heart for the lost.  They come in droves.  Weary, empty and sad.  My brother recently had a meaningful talk with his friend whom he had not seen for awhile.  He challenged him that if he asked God to show himself he would be amazed that it would happen.  It would happen in an unusual and quiet way.  I probably will not occur in a clap of thunder and appearance though I wouldn't advise anyone to rule it out.

I don't know what your spiritual life is like.  I don't want to preach to you.  I will ask you to consider the advice my brother gave his friend.  If any of the negative cognitions strike a cord with you then I would ask you to read the following verses.

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.  See Romans 8

We have value.  We cannot earn our way to worthiness.  Our value does not rest in what we do but in what we are.  We are children of the King.  Repeat that to yourself the next time you catch your reflection in the mirror. 

Susan

Quotes on Character

This experience has provided an opportunity for me to examine my character.  I have faced some hard times and dark nights going through this health crisis with cancer and I think I have handled things pretty well.  It has given me a new appreciation for life, health and family.  I come from strong folks and I have discovered that I am strong as well.

I came across a website with some inspirational quotes.  I would like to share with you some quotes on character.  Don't be surprised if you see some of the other quotes interspersed with my blog articles.  They had some really good ones.
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You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.
Henry David Thoreau

It requires less character to discover the faults of others, than to tolerate them.
J. Petit Senn

Talents are best nurtured in solitude. Character is best formed in the stormy billows of the world.
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Love Is The Resolution

If you look up resolution in the dictionary it says a resolve is a determination: to make a firm resolution to do something. It also defines resolution as an act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc. .

I can think of nothing that I want for 2011 except more love in my life.  I would like a lot of things that I do not have control over.  Of course.  Since I don't have a say in some things, I am determined to spend my time loving and being loved.  I am resolved to a loving course of action, to use loving methods and more loving procedures.

Tan...Moments After Being Born

1 Corinthians 13 defines love this way

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never ends.

This is a picture of my son after he was born and I dressed him in the outfit I bought for him.  He was born in our little home with me and Huy and our midwife to assist.  It was exactly the way I wanted it to be.  I couldn't stop looking at him that day.  I can't stop looking at him now.  He is loved.  I may not be able to give him everything I want him to have but I will do what I can to ensure that he is surrounded by love.

Being a parent helps you realize what love means in ways you didn't imagine before.  Love is not always easy.  Some times it is an effort.  Having cancer has redefined a lot in my life.  It certainly has shifted my priorities and how I plan my days. I can think of no endeavor more worthy of my time and effort than loving.  I can think of no better way to ensure that not a moment of my time is wasted. 

I like that song sung by Kris Allen - Live Like Were Dying.  I suggest that you look it up on YouTube.com if you are interested.  If you knew you were dying how would you choose to live your last days?  I don't believe that my life is over.  In fact, I think it is just getting started.  That being said I like to hedge my bets because it seeems prudent.  Time is a luxury that none of us are assured that we have.

This year my son will be two years old.  I have not been able to parent him exactly the way that I wanted or envisioned the first day he was with me.  I have had a lot of help, though, and that help has been given in love.  He will need a lot of love and patience this year from me and from all his care givers.  I pray that God will continue to bless our family as we work on loving Tan and loving each other.  I pray that 2011 will be a year filled with love and blessings for you and your family as well.

Susan

Great Article on a long-term Breast Cancer Survivor

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/health/27case.html

Dream Declaration Time

It is nearly New Years Day.  Soon the conversation starters will be in the form of questions regarding New Years Resolutions.  People will want to know if you have made any and everyone will be wondering if they will finally be able to keep theirs.  In sheer defiance, I have refused to make such resolutions the last couple of years.

A few years ago, I attended a small New Year's party hosted by my friend Alpha.  We lit candles and wrote down what we wanted to say good bye to from last year.  Habits we had formed and wanted to change.  Struggles we were ready to move past.  We wrote down things that we didn't like that had been part of our lives in that year on little slips of paper.  We then read them to each other and burned them.

When we were finished we talked about what we wanted to bring into our lives the next year.  Things we hoped for and dreamt about and things opposite of what we had just let go of and burned.  I plan to dream some big dreams and declare them rather than make resolutions.  I like this quote as it embodies the direction I want to take rather than make resolutions that fail by February.

 Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.
Henry David Thoreau

I know that I will be asked what I am going to declare and what my dreams are.  I haven't gotten that far yet.  I don't want to declare the obvious hopes but rather I want to think up dreams that extend beyond my circumstance.  I am not done living yet.  Cancer is not my life.  I have said it before but it bears repeating.  It is not my color, my identity, my journey, my bumper sticker, my cause, my war, the battle I have chosen or even what I spend my day focusing on.  My dreams are big and crowd it out.  It is a reality in my life currently, but God willing, that will not always be the case.

I had a huge light bulb moment with another friend of mine Rachel when we attended Pathways in Dallas, Texas.  We realized that all of the dreams we had for ourselves were so small.  We limited ourselves because we thought so small and didn't even take into consideration how God saw us.  As we limited ourselves we forgot that He makes all things possible.  We pledged then and there to dream bigger than we could fathom for ourselves.  Dream your dreams as the calendar page flips for you this year end and then make it bigger.  When it scares you then you are getting close. 

I leave you tonight with one more quote.

Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.
Harriet Tubman

Susan

There are many ways to tell someone you love them

Have you ever seen love in action?  If you had been at my house today you would have seen it.  Gary Chapman talks about the 5 Love Languages in his book entitled the same.  He lists them as Physical, Verbal, Quality Time, Gifts, and my favorite, Acts of Service. This is a must read in my opinion but I digress. My family helped me deliver a surprise Act of Service Gift for my sick husband today on Christmas Day.

An Act of Service, as defined by Gary Chapman, is when you do something for someone to demonstrate your love for them.  Husbands who scrape their wives windshield on her car so she doesn't have to are practicing an Act of Service.  Wives who cook a meal for their family and have it ready when their hungry husband and kiddos get home are performing an act of service.

Today my family helped me rearrange the extremely heavy bedroom furniture that I bought at a steal off craigslist.  My husband has been really sick and we hadn't been able to enlist help for this project yet.  We did a little Christmas this morning for our family and then he and the baby went to Denver to be with Huy's family.  While he was gone we got to work.  With a little elbow grease and a huge brain teaser of a puzzle with the bed frame we got it all taken care of.  I was so relieved to have it all done and I knew Huy would be overjoyed to see it complete.

It looks fabulous.  Mom and Tracey even came by again this afternoon to help me put my clothes away. That would have been too big a job for me.  I felt a tinge of sadness that I could do no more for them than thank them.  With our remodel project in the works and my decreased work due to chemo, money is a little short on supply.  I was not able to purchase gifts for my loved ones.  I find myself in the position of practicing the art of being a cheerful receiver still. I felt a little embarrassed when so many of the gifts under the tree were for me and outnumbered the gifts for my family.  Sigh.  I am a work in progress it seems.

I wrote all of that to write this.  If you ever find yourself in a situation like the one I found myself in and cash is short on supply consider the other four ways to demonstrate your love and to give a gift.  Physical hugs, squeezes, hand holding, a kiss and a smile can uplift a loved one. Telling your family verbally or writing them love letters might be more your style.  Make it an honest communication of your feelings.  Parents would love to receive this gift from their children.  Spend some quality time with your loved ones.  No television but real looking at each other and active interaction between you and them is all that is required to accomplish this goal.  Finally, my favorite, doing something for them that they would not want to do.  Gassing up their cars, getting the oil changed, spring cleaning, running errands, or cooking a meal.  I could go on but I think you have the idea.

As for me, I want to send a warm hug and big thank you to Tracey, Scott, Mom and Joe for all their help today.  My husband was surprised and pleased with the gift you helped me give to him.  I also want to thank everyone who sent me a gift for Christmas and for all those that remembered my son as well.  You helped give him a wonderful Christmas when I wasn't able to.  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

Susan

The Reason We Celebrate

LUKE  2

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  And everyone went to their own town to register.   So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,  and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  “Glory to God in the highest heaven,  and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,  and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Christmas Cookies

Yesterday it was our first Colorado day together as a family and the weather was not cooperating.  It was freezing drizzle so catching a movie turned out not to be a good idea.  We had planned to make Christmas cookies just like we did when we were young so we set about doing that.  Mom had purchased a super size box of sugar cookie dough and I had purchased a huge cookie cutter collection years ago in anticipation of such a day. 

We all pitched in and began making cookies.  Mom mixed, Scott rolled, I placed them on the cookie sheet and Tracey set about mixing frosting colors for painting them.  We all pitched in and made trees, angels, trains, sailboats, stars and all the usual Christmas shapes.  Tan eventually woke from his nap and Dad helped him paint a cookie.  I think he likes this little tradition of ours because he was stealing cookies off the table for the rest of the evening.  We had to cut him off the closer it got to his bed time and he didn't appreciate that one little bit.

It was so much fun that this morning (12-23) I awoke with eager anticipation to get over to Mom and Dad's and join in the fun.  We have two humongous plates of cookies to eat.  Yum!  We have plenty of funny stories to tell each other, laughing to do, a baby to play with, and general celebration.  We have absconded our neighbors blender and purchased Pina Colada mix.  We are having a jolly good time.

It is so nice to all be together for Christmas.  We have all gotten together in Florida around Christmas but it has been since 1992 that we were together as a family for actual Christmas Day.  I generally prefer to travel to Maine in the summer seasons because you can enjoy the out doors and visit with everyone more easily.  Winter time can be a little iffy as far as travel and activities in Maine.  If you have lived there for any amount of time I am sure that you will agree.

Our Family Newsletter 2010

(I wish I could have figured out how to post the pictures that were part of this, but, woe is me, I can't)

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times”.. Dickens
To all of our family and friends, we wish you all the blessings of the season as we celebrate the birth of our Savior. Our prayer for you and yours is for a celebration filled with joy, and the makings of cherished memories that will last more than a year, indeed a lifetime. Our Christmas will be spent in Colorado Springs in our new home. Our entire family will be coming on the 21^st and we will spend our time together, cooking, laughing, and as said in A Christmas Carol ‘making merry’. So, if you’re looking for us, we’re at 4801 Daybreak Circle, and yes, that is a beautiful view of the Rockies we can enjoy whenever we want.

As we think back on this year filled with best and worst times, some highlights stand out.

We are so happy to announce that Tracey and Joe Rich are officially engaged. We happily welcome Joe to the family and anticipate more good things to come for them. Joe and Tracey share a love for beach combing for sea glass and antiquing. We look forward to a RICH future for them!!
Scott is in the process of relocating to New Hampshire. Like the rest of us, this has been a year of transition and change for him too.
I spent the first part of the year in Colorado helping the family and working some remotely. We were blessed to be able to rent the condo of a friend and took up residence there for the winter. As I went back and forth to Florida to keep up with work, Paul stayed in Colorado and became Tan’s full time “manny.” He and the baby are best buddies (Paul calls him his ‘buckaroo” among other things). To celebrate that special relationship, we had this picture taken on Tan’s first birthday. Susan and I had fun shopping for special look-a-like “Paul Comeau” shirts for the photo too. Paul and Tan share many things together and we have all rediscovered the joys of childhood. Tan is now 19 months old and is talking a lot. It is a joy to see the world through the eyes of a toddler and remember that little things can be so enjoyable. Just to take a walk to “find some dogs”, smell the flowers, crunch the leaves, and just spend time is a blessing beyond description.
We have had a great time exploring the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo with the baby and he has a special appreciation for the giraffes. It is fun comparing the various pictures taken throughout the year and seeing how he has changed and grown. I know it seems silly to say but we don’t know how we ever got by before “baby” (that what he calls himself) came along. Our lives seem so much more complete now.
In spite of Susan’s battle with cancer and chemo and all of the complications that involves, we did manage to get to Maine for two vacations and family parties. On both occasions, Paul, Susan, and Tan flew from Denver to Manchester, and I flew from Tampa to join them. We had a wonderful time “at home”, introducing Tan to the family and enjoying the sights, food, family and friends there. We had some wonderful times, went lobstering, dipped our feet in Frenchman’s Bay, and made sure Tan went swimming every day. What we enjoyed most though were the special times we had with family and friends.
We are looking ahead to 2011 with confidence and joy. Yes, Susan will be continuing in her fight and we will have difficult times ahead. But God willing, she will win this fight and we will stand by her as she does. We are so grateful for the faithful undergirding of God and for His provision. We are also so humbled and strengthened by the prayers and support of family and friends. We have learned that you are an army that does not quit and we love you all. Susan has received quilts, prayer shawls, scripture pillowcases, meals, rides, gift cards, cash, calls, emails, and the list goes on. Thank You! Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

We pray God’s richest blessings for you from our family to yours.
Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years.
Becky and Paul, Susan and Huy, Tan, Tracey and Joe, and Scott

What We Wish She Would Have Said

So without going into any detail or male-bashing of any sort, Susan and I had a great laugh over this video clip and suggestions about what we wish she would have said.  For example:

1.  "husbands may be tigers in the bedroom but they are DEAF in the rest of the house".  

2.  There will be a lot of times in your marriage when you will have a few choice words for your husband but it will be wiser not to say them.

3.  Division of labor is not a fancy term that means the wife does all the housework.

We welcome your suggestions............Susan and Becky



Christmas Couple Doing Fantastic

Just a little update.  The young couple celebrating their first Christmas have taken me up on my suggestion and have begun making their own ornaments.  They said that they do not know when they have had so much fun.  They have purchased a tree and lights and craft supplies.  They have set everything up on the table and spent hours laughing, talking and glittering to their hearts content.  They have already begun planning next years theme.

Merry Christmas

Susan

Companionship

"All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated...As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon, calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come: so this bell calls us all: but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness....No man is an island, entire of itself...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."
- John Donne, Meditation XVII

I am struck this evening by how vital companionship is.  I have had three glimpses into the lives of others and what role this plays in each.  I shared a meal this evening with my husband, my companion and with a friend who has no companion.  He wants one.  He became ill nearly 15 years ago and this resulted in his being abandoned by his friends and family.  It is difficult to be around someone with chronic pain and one by one they disappeared from his life.  Their absence is felt strongly by this man.  He is saddened and angry.  To share a meal with another person and to hold conversation is a luxury he doesn't often get to experience.  An invitation to do so puts a smile on his face and he is ready with gratitude.  It means so much to him.  I am brought to tears that something I take for granted is such a huge gift to him.

Another man I know had companionship and as a result of his poor decisions lost it.  He misses it.  It was a relationship that was easy and comfortable for both parties and spanned nearly a decade.  He is grief stricken with the loss.  He knows that he can only hold himself to blame.  He wonders how and when he might find companionship again.  He wants to share his life with someone.  He doesn't want to face the holidays alone.  He is depressed.  He doesn't want to be without companionship.  He gets invitations from friends and colleagues but they never materialize.  They make plans and then do not answer the phone when the appointed hour and day arrives.  He is living with the sting of love squandered.

The third man has a companion who demands that she alone hold the spotlight.  Neither of them have had good examples of a healthy man and woman sharing love and their lives together.  This man dreads going home for fear that she will be in a bad place emotionally, which is often the case, and he will need to spend his evening trying to uplift her.  He does not have a soft place to fall with his companion.  He is offered no acceptance.  He has no peace, no ability to let off some steam, and is never given a chance to pursue his own interests unless they share the road with hers.

It is sad to see how far away from God's plan we have strayed.  Families are under so much attack and so are couples.  Where is the loyalty, the commitment and the love that form the glue that can hold the companionship together?  I know that there are many couples that get it right.  Many of you faithful readers are in good standing with your mates.  Perhaps I am preaching to the choir.

I just have one request this holiday season.  In the next week think of the people around you that might fall into the three examples above and reach out to them.  Let us make time for the lonely, the shut in and the down trodden this week of Christmas.  Nothing major necessary here, just a cup of coffee, a phone call or a visit.  It will not take up much of your time and may mean all the difference in the world to the recipient.  Afterwards, when you go home, take a look at your companion and take your inventory.  Is there a little room for improvement?  Make that the greatest gift you give because I promise you it will make you a very wise person this week and every week you pledge to do it.

Merry Christmas with much love from me,

Susan