Kindness.....It isn't that hard

I've been doing a lot of reflecting lately.   I see a trend in women where we are tearing each other down.  I don't like it!   We should be lifting each other up!  A little kindness and compassion goes a long way.

I see women who choose to work after having kids feeling guilty for those choices, and I see women who chose to stay home with their children, feeling like they have to justify their choices.   They are doing the best they can, with what they have, and making the best choices for their families!  Just because someone chooses something different than what you have, doesn't make it wrong.  It doesn't make your choice superior.  It just makes it....different.   Unique.

I have a little secret for you.   We are all hot messes.  Yep.   You read that right.  No one has everything together.  You have seen me for years preaching exercise, healthy eating.    Guess what?   Some days I eat potato chips and chocolate.   I don't feel guilty when I do it.  I don't do it every day, but if I want potato chips I'm going to eat them!  No guilt!   Sure, there are people that won that lottery in the gene pool, but guess what?  They have fears, insecurities, troubles and failures just like everyone else.   It is part of being human.

One trend I have been seeing really bothers me.  I see ladies trying to better themselves and people put them down.  I don't get it.  Does it make you feel better to crush someone's spirits?  How about making someone feel good instead!  Try it!  I can guarantee you, you will feel better about yourself than you do by putting someone down.

My challenge for you today:  Lift someone's spirits.   Say a kind word to someone that you don't know.   Do something nice for someone that is not expecting it.  Smile at the strugging mama, hold the door and wait for the elderly gentlemen maneuvering the walker (without making them feel you are rushing them), tell a frazzled sales clerk to have a nice day and MEAN IT.  

Kindness, let's pass it on!

Hair Loss

On Friday, I tentatively washed my hair, being very careful with it.  I lost a little more than normal, but I was being very careful with it.   I didn't comb it, using my fingers to arrange and separate my curls.  As I noticed it breaking and coming out, I knew it was time.  I called Marsha, my good friend who has done my hair for almost 30 years.   I told her it was time.   She said she was free all weekend and to give her a call when I was ready.

I had invited my two beautiful granddaughters, Ryleigh and Keighley, (10 & 9) to spend the night with me on Saturday night and I told them that they could cut my hair.   Their eyes twinkled and sparkled at the thought of it!  LOL  I knew that having them there would make me be strong and not cry.  

They came after their cheerleading on Saturday and we had a ball.  They chip chopped on my hair for about 20 minutes, creating a very unique style.  We laughed and giggled and it did my heart good.  Marsha came about an hour later, and she finished the job off.  I discovered that I have a very nicely shaped head, if I don't say so myself.  No big bumps or flat spots.  However, it's not a look I would CHOOSE to have, but it is a look I will have for awhile while I kick cancer's a$#.

It was empowering to get it off.  I had had such high anxiety over the past few days over my hair.  Yesterday, I felt in control.  I decided when this was happening, not this horrible disease that is trying to kill me - and it will FAIL miserably, I might add!  It has taken my hair, but it is on my terms.

On a PLUS note, I haven't shaved my legs in 3 weeks and they are as smooth as can be!  Some with my underarms.  Now, if that pesky hair that I keep plucking off my chin would follow suit, I will be a happy girl!

I'm not going to lie, I woke up this morning, looked in the mirror and burst out in tears.  I'm going to allow it, for a bit, today.  It didn't last long.  Keighley woke up and I wiped the tears away and gave her a hug and a kiss and we are watching The Chronicles of Narnia.  Today is the LAST DAY I will shed tears for my hair.  LAST DAY!!!   It is a small price to pay for my life, and it isn't important in the long run.

Stay well, my friends, and thanks for coming on this journey with me!

September 11, 2001 The day our world changed

September 11.   I can't hardly say the date without a tightening in my chest.   I will never forget where I was and what I was doing.   I remember staring at the TV in disbelief.   Surely, no one was attacking us like that?    Who would do that?   Who could be so senseless and cruel?

Unfortunately it was deliberate and it was evil.   Pure unadulterated evil. 

But, do you know what I also remember?  I remember the way our country was on September 12th, 13th and 14th.  We were ONE.   We were a country in mourning.   There wasn't any race card being played, there wasn't any discrimination due to sex, there wasn't any "group" looking own on another "group" and judging.   We were American's.   We weren't Ango-Saxon Americans, we weren't African-Americans, we weren't American Indians.   We were American's in mourning.  We were a country unified, not divided.

Can we please get back to that point now? 

It certainly has been a busy few weeks.  I'm still in a  bit of shock about my cancer diagnosis, but that hasn't stopped me from tackling it head on.   I have no doubt I am going to beat this, but I know the battle won't be a pretty one.

I was suprised at how GOOD I actually felt most of the weekend.  Until Monday afternoon.   Wow.   I think I slept from Monday 5PM until Wednesday 6:30 am, all except a few hours.  I felt like I had been hit by a truck and put thru a wringer.   But, today I am back to feeling as close to "normal" as I can feel.  I tire easily, but I'm doing ok.

I am sitting her now, feeling GRATEFUL.   Grateful for family and friends.   The outpouring I have received has been incredible and has greatly touched me.  I am blessed.  Right now, I am feeling like one of the richest women in the world.   I have genuine friends and family that love me and aren't afraid to show it, aren't afraid to say it and they are going out of their way to how me.  That, my friends, is being rich.  You can't put a price tag on that.

I want you to know that every prayer, note, card, call and smile is appreciated.   It really is.   I have everything that I could ever want.