[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Read R.B.'s article on DIGESTIVE HEALTH. You have no idea how important your diet and supplements can be! I leared that after '95 dx. I believe these factors have helped save my life. Omegas, co-enz Q10, C, calcium, friendly bacteria, D3, E, Flaxseed Oil, Grapeseed Extract, Lysinemagnesium, zinc, RM-10 Immune Sys Proten-zyme Mushroom Blend. These help in multiple ways for strong immune system, heart, fighting free radicals, anti-cancer, energy -- which all contribute to a sense of well-being, which we all need and want.

MARY ANN's "dolphin" moment is what we all need! I had a YOSEMITE moment, much the same. AWESOME. That, and going within yourself and connecting with that loving, nurturing energy is enormously healing. Do that for yourself. Great to be proactive, informed, involved in creating your own wellness -- but that includes body, mind and Soul. Your Spirit is calling out to you, trying to get your attention.

In Yosemite the roar of the Merced River as you enter on this steep hill, your car's nose in your face is thrilling, and scary, but in a marvelous way. SEEING the river rocks and the water rushing over and around them, in a hurry to get somewhere, had this great energy that invigorated me. My husband and I walked through the Sequoias, some laying on the ground, but still had their Essence alive, I somehow felt. The sight of the giant trees as tall as the Empire State building and wide enough to get several cars through if a tunnel were cut was staggering. Little me, a speck in this vast Universe, stood w/much respect before them. What they have lived through over centuries, the energy they have collected from the time the Indians roamed that space and through World Wars, maybe our Civil War, made my head spin. I touched their trunks, adding my own energy to this incredible creation.

We walked out as far as we were allowed, with a fence to keep you back, with my fear of heights being overcome by the sense of awe I felt so profoundly. My father had died 9 mnths before that experience. I felt as if I'd stepped in a magnificent painting. It was so unreal looking down a mile or more into the green carpeted valley. The river running, the hills and granite cliffs couldn't be real, they were so very beautiful! I had tears (of joy or ecstasy) in my eyes, goose bumps and the thought that I wished my father were alive so I could tell him about this place and tell him to go and see it. I wanted him to experience what I was. The sky was this fabulous blue canopy, and as I stood on this precipe it seemed that I was inside a "snow globe" with the sky above and the valley below. I will never forget that extraordinary moment (in 1978!).

When I need to go within and get back to my spiritual center, as I have a scan (breathing in and holding and out), as I have dental work, or am stuck at a traffic light -- I GO BACK TO YOSEMITE. With the field flowers gently blowing in the wind, kind of waving hello, in shockingly vivid purples and reds and hot pinks... I felt so blessed to be alive way back then, before bc, as I gazed all around me. Life is so wondrously breathtaking!

We pulled off the road. We spotted a baby deer eating crab apples. We got out of the car, not closing the door, not wanting that sound to scare it away. I walked over to the deer slowly, speaking sweetly to it. I reached down and picked up two little apples and held them out in my flattened palm. Talking gently to the deer. He came over to me and ate the apples from my hand. I can still feel the tickle of his mouth. I felt as if I had just touched God! Honored that this big eyed beautiful Creation had trusted me enough to come to my side. My husband snapped a picture of the moment, but it is forever engraved in my heart and Soul.

Wishing you all awesome, dolphin, Yosemite, deer moments to cherish. In fact let us all cherish each day (I know I do along with daily gratitude said aloud). Let us cherish those we love and remember to tell them how very much we love them, even and maybe especially when we feel a bit of anger toward them. In the end, we love them, despite all the unwanted.

Sending healing energy to you all... ANDI (BB)