Yesterday was the first time I attended the Relay for Life where the cancer beast has hit so close to home. We walked the survivor's lap with other members of our church family (caregivers were allowed also!) We then went out to dinner some of these survivors . Joanne napped at a friend's house, then we returned at 11:00 for the ceremony and walked amongst the illuminated luminarias. Joanne had over 100 of them - a wave of "Joanne Kotjan" bags. We were both very moved. Thank you to all who donated bags - and especially to Peggie Moore for expediting so many donations through your store.
Every year I find this event to be an emotional roller coaster. There are so many names that I recognize on the bags. This disease is so prevalent and exacts such a huge toll.
Joanne had a phone conference with her surgeon yesterday. They have decided on a tentative date for surgery the end of the first week of September. So she will have four chemo treatments instead of three before the next surgery. She wanted more time to recuperate from the first surgery.
Today we experienced a sense of normalcy in our lives. Joanne has recovered from the post-chemo pain and weakness and actually felt quite energized. I went on a long bike ride and Joanne visited nurseries - we both met up in Lynden for raspberries and ice cream! Life is good.
8 comments:
I was thinking of the two of you quite a bit the last few days, knowing the Relay for Life was this weekend. How wonderful to receive so much support, to see all those bags marked with Joanne's name! It comes as no surprise there were so many, for the two of you are very loved!
So glad to hear that more healing is happening. The joys of bike rides, nursery visits, and slurping down ice cream sound downright normal!
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers,
Kathy Seibert
For me, at the event,it was a strange dynamic to see the names of the cancer stricken (and I recognize so many), some who have lost and those who are battling being supported by those who are survivors and loved ones. Lots of people saddened by their losses, recalling fond memories of loved ones and others celebrating life with joy and hope...an amazing spectrum of emotions all connected by one bastard of a disease.
I took lots of pix at the event, but I think my favorites are the two or three in a series as Joanne and her group started the walk, heading into the sun. She is surrounded by love and strength as they amble off down the road.
This group is a small representative of the ginormous circle of friends and support that Joanne has with her thru this fight and as I looked thru the viewfinder at this group while shooting, I thought that if I was ever Joanne's place, I would gladly take these people to go into the trenches with.
J&J, big love to you...and to all others, keep bringing the good juju, mojo, vibes or whatever you want to name it across the Universe to J&J.
Peace,
Jerry Horner
Ah, Jerry,
You've brought tears to my eyes and goose bumps on my arms. I, too, pray, that if ever there is a day to walk as you do, Joanne, that God and all the Earth Angels walk along beside me, and I them.
The images you shared Jerry, are positively beautiful, as are the images posted for our view by Janet. How powerful it is to see, Joanne, your name upon those bags like neon lights to God's eye, stretched out for a mini-mile, and filled with prayer and hope, love and friendship.
And God Bless all those many more who also were thought of, remembered, celebrated this Relay
night and so many like it.
A few notes of added inspiration today, taken from John C Maxwell's "The Treasure of a Friend."
True Friends are a sure refuge.
Aristotle
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How Do You Spell Friendship?
F Forgive each other.
R Refresh each other.
I Invest in each other.
E Encourage each other.
N Nurture each other.
D Depend on each other.
S Share with each other.
H Help each other.
I Inspire each other.
P Pray for each other.
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A "Real" Friend
"What is real?" asked the rabbit one day. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you, and a stick out handle?"
"Real isn't how you were made," said the Skin Horse, "it's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long time, not just to play with, but really loves you, then you become Real. It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time . . . Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been rubbed off and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real, you can't be ugly, except to the people who don't understand."
Margery Williams
from The Velveteen Rabbit
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And, one of my favorites:
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Oh, the inexpressible comfort
of feeling safe with a person;
having neither to weigh thoughts
nor measure words,
but to pour them all out,
just as they are,
chaff and grain together,
knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them,
keep what's worth keeping,
and then,
with the breath of kindness,
blow the rest away.
George Eliot
Joanne,
YOU ROCK.
Janet,
YOU ROCK.
Rock on, Sistas!
Sending you both hugs and love,
Tess H
Tears of sweet sorrow and great joy combine in a stunning celebration of the triumphant power of love.
Magic is afoot as we dance the rhythm of life to manifest Joanne's healing. Kissed by the divine, you are blessed.
Our love and support to you both,
Jen, April and Deb
Zander and I watched this movie sometime this last year. It was a children's movie, a bit quirky and strange, however, the Sand Fairy was quite something in the end.
Here's a song from the movie. I forget the songwriter, and we tried to find a version of the words, etc. to no avail. We finally just jotted them down before we turned the movie in.
Enjoy it, and one day, we'll sing it for you. Big hugs, Tess and Z
Return of the Sand Fairy Song: Wishing
When you want your heart’s desire
And there’s nothing but the fire
Or the madly, yearning, wild imagination
When all you have to do is choose
And if you don’t, you’re bound to lose
Something special in your life will pass you by
Castles in the air
Or the chest of purest gold
Cast aside despair
Start a quest
Before you’re old
Try wishing
A little harder everyday
Wishing
To chase the clouds away
In the twinkling of an eye
You’ll grow taller
Even fly
You don’t know until you try,
SO DO
And with the magic that you find
Bring your dream away
J & J--
As we near your next visit with the Infusion Gods providing you with the Elixir of Life, we are sending our thoughts of your well-being and we thank you for demonstrating the power of Grace in your lives.
Found an interesting book recently at my N.D. office:
"Breathing Free"
by Teresa Hale from Britain
She's bringing the work of a Russian scientist to the world.
It was quite fascinating. I knew that breathing was integral to many of our body processes, but I didn't realize how it can affect everything when we don't have a proper balance of Oxygen and CO2.
With thoughts of you, never know --- it's another tool should it speak to you to look her up and know more.
Much love,
Tess and Z
Z is just returned from the Oregon Country Fair with his dad, and he sold out of his anklets and bracelets, earning a whopping $138. Next year he'd like to make golden jewelry if he can find some gold nuggets, melt 'em down, and craft . . .
Dear J & J
I just returned from a road trip to Iowa for a family event. The long drive was a great time to reflect and regroup (with the help of some great satellite radio programs). Since I could not be with all of you, I did my own version of the Relay for Life walk on the country roads of my home town. Our luminaries were the sun sparkles on the cornstalks. It was nice to see and hear so much life, while recalling all the varied emotions and personal experiences with this disease! I feel blessed to be survivor and to be part of your support team...it is a great team to be on!!
Big hugs!
C&S
Dear Joann and Janet, I have been thinking of you lots, and try to check the blog regularly--I stayed with Peggie last night, and we are on our way to the Haven this morning, for the Women and Sexuality course. I will send some good female energy your way. The word-picture of the laminarias was lovely.
Hugs and love, Ruth
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