Encouragement Time

[Mary Jo]

Ok ladies AND gentlemen................................It's time for our daily dose of encouragement I for one need some AND I'm positive we could all use some. I woke up feeling a bit blue today for whatever reason..........then I heard about Tony Snow's cancer recurrence.......................then I read Rhonda's post and that got me thinking.........................................L ook out guys........I was thinking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here goes.

Let's post some encouraging stuff for all to read. Let's post what we have to be thankful for and how awesome our lives are REGARDLESS of the "bad" stuff that comes our way. You know, bad stuff comes everyone's way. Not always cancer...........but something. No life is perfect - no life is with out troubles. God gave us breath - God gave us the ability to serve Him by serving others. Serving others brings such joy and reminds us that we have so much to give and people have so much to give to us. Life is about encouraging one another along this journey. We all have a journey - each of us and it's up to each of us to encourage and love one another.

I've been so incredibly blessed. The Lord has blessed me with the most awesome husband (who is my bestest friend in the whole dang world). He's been my encouragement and support (next to the Lord Himself) throughout this cancer journey BUT also in our entire 28 1/2 years of marriage. We have 2 wonderful sons, 2 loving daughter in laws and 2 grandchildren who are the light of our lives. Oops, almost forgot our Murray. He is our 6 1/2 year old Sheltie who is scared of his own shadow SO he isn't the most encouraging creature on the planet BUT he definitely has that unconditional love to offer.

So SMILE everyone Sure, maybe we have or had cancer BUT that's nothing compared to all the awesome blessings we've all been given.

Hugs and love to all - (Now it's your turn to share)

Mary Jo
"For we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him and were called according to His purpose" Romans 8:28

[Sheila]

Mary Jo

I like this idea...sometimes we get so wrapped up in our fight and the what ifs, we forget all the blessings we have enjoyed, and are around us...it is amazing how the littlest thing can bring joy and hope to me now, some things I would not have noticed before my diagnosis. I have so many things to be thankful for...my parents who are still alive, my 3 children, who are all happy and doing well, my grandchildren....all 6 of them....all so very dear and special. Whenever I feel down or sad, I look around, and I can always see others who have never had the privledge to know the blessings I have had in my life.

[Joy]

it does feel like group encoragement is necessary right now! Thank you for sharing all of your postives and they are the best parts of life. How wonderful to have such a good friend in your husband and beautiful children and grandchildren.

I could write and write and write about my amazing good fortune. This disease can really get me down and freak me out and I can definitely feel sorry for myself at times (lookup old posts-its's there and will be again I'm sure). however I can honestly say that I never lose sight of all the good around me. My sister, her husband and my parents are so loving and actively supportive in EVERY way. When I was dxed stage IV they bought the girls and I a house so we never had to worry about a roof over our head! They support us further so I can focus on my children and my health. I am touched every day by their love and generosity. AND-I GET TO FOCUS ON MY GIRLS. AND my girls are awesome, healthy, brilliant funny people.

My ex-husband and I have a great 'ex' relationship and we help each other out all the time-that's pretty lucky.

My friends-there's a whole 'nother category. My friends have stood by me, laughed with me, cried with me, cared for my children, given us food and groceries, they go to onc appointments and tests with me (as does my amazing sister-who is also a friend). They distract me and remind me that life is life. We hug and laugh aloud multiple times a day (we are all involved in our kids' school so we have a lot of contact).

It's spring in Colorado-that's a beautiful sight.

I have 2 hilarious cats who love me and everybody else.

I have hair right now-that is exciting.

I feel really good almost all of the time. That is KEY.

I am blessed with good insurance-I am thankful for that ALL THE TIME.

I am connected with all of you and that is SUCH a blessing.

I leave for New Orleans tomorrow. My bestest friend will be here soon for a stay. I have a trip planned for the summer that my kids are SO excited about and that is so fun to see. I got free tix to see the Police in June with my bestest friend (last time we saw them was 24 years ago-wow!) Hoping for more good shows this summer-a trip to Red Rocks always completes my summers.

Most importantly, we have a roof over our heads, food on our table, peace around us, love from and for many. If that isn't a good life, than I guess I don't know what is.

thank you Mary Jo.

[RobinP]

Hi Mary Jo,

Its easy to get wrapped up in the worry of cancer, especally when its in our face via media etc. However, you're right, its a good idea to stop and give thanks for the good in our lives and for God. Thanks for your gentle message of appreciation, encouragement and for the scripture verse, one of my favorites. God bless you in your journey.

[Mary Anne in TX]

Thanks Mary Jo!

I'm blessed with a super family, husband, two sons, 3 grandkids, and two fur friends!
I'm blessed to have friends who encourage me to be me and forgive me when I'm goofy!
I'm blessed to have had terrific parents - I still get advice from mom when necessary - she can still get me back on track just remembering her wisdom!
I'm blessed to know all the people at CTRC in San Antonio! They bless the cootie out of me each time I just show up!!!!
I'm blessed to still be alive and happy and facing life on life's terms!
And I'm blessed that one very "needy night" I found this web site and met this incredible "batch of heroes"!
Love to all,
ma

[cafe1084]

The love and support from all those around me, friends and strangers alike, has been profound, but it is my sons that force me out of bed each and every morning. Without them, I never would have known true love or believed in miracles.


Big Mud Puddles and Sunny Yellow Dandelions
Author Unknown

When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard.
My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.

When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away.
My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.

When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen.
My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don't know them, they make up their own.

When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk.
My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.

When I pray, I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that.
My kids say, "Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight. Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet. I would miss my Mommy and Daddy."

When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets. My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross, and worms to play with.

I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from? No wonder God loves the little children!
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

I wish you Big Mud Puddles and Sunny Yellow Dandelions!! !

[juanita]

I am so thankful for a wonderful husband, 4 great kids who really stepped up when I was dxd a very, very very beautiful granddaughter and friends who are out of this world.

[Andi]

I think this is a really good idea! I am thankful for so many things in my life. I have a husband of almost 34 years that is my best friend and soulmate. We have worked together in our business for 32 years, so we have shared not only our personal lives but our working lives. He has been amazing through my cancer journey. I am thankful for my 2 children and the relationships we have as well as my 2 darling granddaughters - they lift me up if I am ever getting a little bit down. My parents are still living and live fairly close so that I can keep an eye on them. I have wonderful friends and family that have rallied around me when ever the road seems to get a bit rocky. I am very thankful for this support group, I have received so many positive things from all of you and it gives me strength. I am thankful for my faith and the hope that it provides me.

[chrisy]

Well marejo, I don't know how I missed this post! But I certainly needed some encouragement! Great idea...

As someone recently mentioned on another thread, I hope tears don't short out my laptop!

I was blessed to have loving parents who, although they are no longer with me here, still live in my heart and give me strength everyday. Add to that my fabulous sister who loves me much more than I deserve and has blessed me with my 10 yo niece who just a few weeks ago donated her beautiful long blond hair to locks of love, As I'm probably in for an "extreme haircut" in the near future, I really wish I could have hers!

And don't forget my beloved hubby who has always loved me and who tickles me and finds countless other ways to make me laugh when I cannot see daylight. One night in bed I had itchy feet and he told me he had read that soaking your feet in milk helped that, asked me if he could get me some, then went down in the kitchen and came back up with a big bowl and put my feet in it. The next morning, he admitted it wasn't really milk, it had only been a placebo!

My bosses and coworkers have been totally supportive of me and helped in ways too numerous to mention. Friends, instead of fleeing, have wrapped their love around me.

I have a nice house in a beautiful area which in the morning smells like redwoods and I walk along the ocean on my lunch hour.

And God walks with me every day - in front of me to lead me, beside me to be my friend, behind me to encourage me, and above me to love and protect me.

To quote Fran Drescher....CANCER SHMANCER!