Happy New Year To All!!

It's hard to believe that tomorrow starts another year, but 2008 is on the cusp. Time is just flying by. The adage, "the older you get, the faster time flies" seems very appropriate for me.

Truly, while tomorrow begins 2008 -- it seems just yesterday 2007 began.

Are you thinking about resolutions? Ways to make your life better? Do you think about losing weight? What about your relationship with God -- do you think about where you'll spend your eternity?

Every morning is the beginning of a new start -- every morning is covered by the refreshment of God's grace. It's a promise from Him that it will be new every morning. When I get up every morning I know that I have a fresh day to start with -- His grace and His love are there fresh every morning. I count on that.

I hope you count on that too. When you consider what your New Year holds, I hope you consider the love your Father has for you and how He wants to bless you.

The Cold of Snow & The BRRR

We lived in Rome, NY when the big blizzard hit in 1966. There was so much snow the drifts were as high as our second story windows. My brother and I were young enough to think that amount of snow was the greatest thing since sliced bread. Once the snow finally stopped falling the two of us went outside to see what kind of damage we could accomplish in the drifts. Tunneling was the order of the day ... BUT, it was all I needed to convince me I'd had enough of the cold temperatures.

Living in Virginia, there was less snow in the winter, but when it snowed it would stay on the ground for weeks at an time and could accumulate to a couple of feet. I hated it -- and when I got an opportunity to move, I did.

Texas is cold in the winter and last winter over the Christmas holiday we had a huge snow and ice storm. For me, my intolerance has more to do with the radiation and chemotherapy then anything else at this point. Once I get cold, it gets into my bones and I just don't get warm.

So, even though the springs and summers in Texas are temperate -- the winters are intolerable and I just cannot do them anymore.

Did you see the picture of my puppy standing in the snow? That was just a couple of years ago - and it really doesn't get any better. Being cold -- is there any thing worse?

Of course there really is, and I know there are much worse situations, but, for me, being cold and not being able to get warm is very bad.

So, throw me a quilt and put another log on the fire cause this gal ain't going outside until spring!

Pornography in "Wholesome Canyon"

I was perusing through the web option opinion page of this local paper when I came across the letter, “Wanting to Keep ______ a Wholesome Community”.

At the offset you should know, I too am very interested in keeping ______ a wholesome place to live. However, the writer of this opine took Movie Gallery to task for something that Hastings also does, but in a much more grievous manner .

In addition to renting traditional pornographic movies, Hastings also makes available an entire series of pornographic anime movies. Remember, the anime was created in Japan and brought here through video games, comics, books (which Hastings also sells that have a pornographic nature). Now, anime has come to some of your young children’s favorite television cartoons.

The anime movies are not aimed at families, they are not inspirational in any form, they are targeted to kids … and of course, those who fall in the same mindset.

You should also know, that Movie Gallery keeps the offensive movies on the top shelves so they cannot be easily accessed, and the covers are blocked so they cannot be seen. At Hastings, I have seen the offensive movies on the same level for the innocent eyes of your little ones to view.

One other thing. When the Illustrated Sports Swimsuit edition came out last year, I spoke with the then manager about the offensive cover and it being so available for children to see. His response to me, (and I am quoting him), “This is business, and we’re not going to change it.” It was at that point I decided to give my movie rental business to Movie Gallery.

Not sure I know what I’m talking about? Then I challenge you to spend some time in Hastings looking at the wall of anime movies available to your kids. Did you think because they were cartoons they were innocent? Guess again. The anime books I am talking about can be found in the video game area towards the back where the t-shirts are. Spend some time.

Hastings also has books available for purchase (and perusing by your children … which I have witnessed) whose only subject is sexual pleasure: karma sutra, variety of positions, and suggestions for self pleasure. All in pictures that leave nothing to the imagination. Have you discussed sexuality with your children yet?

Hastings has no intention of changing their structure because, “… it is business“. Movie Gallery is more sensitive to those who would be offended. That, by the way, includes me -- and I appreciate their willingness to go that extra mile.

So, if you really care about keeping _____ a wholesome community, and where your discretionary funds go, I suggest you give your business to Movie Gallery.

The New Year is just a week away. What a great time to start a new tradition in your family. Rent your movies at Movie Gallery. Treat Hastings like the business it is. A provider of pornography in “Wholesome ______”.

(I sent this to the newspaper of the small town I live in. I blanked out the name of the town on purpose so you could insert your town's name and see the universality of my writing. The old adage, “Evil prospers when good men do nothing”, is evident here.)

Suicide -- The Pain We Don't See

His name is Gatlin and you can clearly hear how talented he is.

For some unknown - crazy reason, this precious child, a high school freshman, with his entire life in front of him, took his own life.

I don't know his parents, but I am a parent and I would be devastated - as I am sure they are. I never met this young boy, but his parents now have to live the rest of their lives without their son. What could have been so painful to him, so anxiety ridden, that his seemingly only answer was a permanent solution to a temporary problem?

To his parents, my heart goes out to you and I will keep you in my prayers.

It doesn't matter his mode of suicide. What's important is he is gone.

I tell you -- if you are a parent, don't miss an opportunity to hug your kids, tell them how precious & unique they are, how much you love them -- don't miss any opportunity.

Tasks Completed & The Joy Of Christmas

Finishing Things Up ... I've been working on my web site for what seems like years. In truth, it's only been a few months. But it's been taking up all , and I do mean all, of what seems to be all of my extra time. My web page is finished and I do hope you amble over and take a gander.

There are still a couple of things I need to add -- like a shopping cart -- if you can call the shopping cart a last minute item -- and the Photo Gallery. This web site has been a labor of blood, sweat, and tears - truly. Not to mention the countless hours I have devoted to it. Worth it? You better believe it.

Everything is in one place -- that is everything except the blog -- and this is such a great place to blog, wouldn't you agree?

ON A DIFFERENT NOTE >>>

Thanksgiving was a time to rest and be thankful. Christmas is now just around the corner and will be another time to rest and be thankful. As a Christian, I am always thankful for the gift of Jesus and His decision to leave heaven for me - to spill His blood for me - to die for me. To die for all of us.

Christmas is a time when families like to give gifts to each other. Gifts that are wrapped in beautiful shiny paper with ribbons and bows. Jesus is the ultimate gift. God reached out His hand and said, "... He loved the world so much He gave His only Son, that whoever believed in Him would not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3.16) -- all we have to say to Jesus is "yes". There is no wrapping paper to deal with, no difficult boxes to open. Just say, "yes".

Won't you consider your eternity - where will you spend it?

Won't you consider the gift of Jesus -- the true reason for Christmas -- and start the new year with a new heart and say "yes" to Jesus!

Friendship

I'd like to tell you about someone very special to me. We met when we were both 13 years old and unknowingly interested in the same guy - an older guy at that. He not only was not deserving of either of us, but he wasn't smart enough to figure out that she and I were smarter together than he could ever be in his wildest dreams. Gary (yes, I remember your name) ... I hope you've smartened up over the years.

But I digress. Back to what I wanted to share. Robin has been a dear, best friend to me over the years for many reasons. She was there when I was being abused (even though she wasn't aware of it), she provided the friendship, support and great distraction that I so desperately needed.

That's 40 years of friendship. Oh, we haven't always been in contact with each other. Things have happened to cause a rift, but always we've managed to maintain that feeling of closeness and have come back together as if there were no years, no hurts, no disappointments.

Robin has always been the one ... the only one ... I knew would accept me unconditionally. I depended on her for her honesty and her abiding friendship regardless of the miles between us or the last time we spoke.

She carries a part of me that is precious to me because most families do that for each other. She does it for me. She carries a great part of my memories and history. She remembers things I don't, and she can share the memories I do have. We have a great time going back and remembering things that were packed away. I can't do that with anyone else. To anyone reading this, I hope you realize how precious it is to have someone to share such memories with. She rekindles forgotten times when she and I had so much fun, barely stayed out of trouble, and just generally did what teenage girls did 40 years ago.

It had been 30 years since the last time we'd seen each other. Although we'd spoken on the phone hundreds of hours worth, we hadn't visited eye to eye. Finally, an opportunity came up that I could not let pass. My son and I made our way to her home, across country, and the great friend that she is, she opened her home to us, and her heart to my son. She embraced him as if she'd known him all his life. But then, I would not have expected anything different from her.

I guess the moral of this story is the power of true friendship. It transcends time and distance. If you have someone in your life who speaks to your heart as she has to mine, tell them. Don't wait. You may not have a tomorrow, and neither may they. Do it now. Pick up the phone … don't use email, the voice is so much more powerful. But do it today.

Being Thankful

This Thanksgiving I am feeling especially blessed. Perhaps it is because of the events of 9-11, and all the subsequent acts of terrorism, or perhaps it is because of my survival and healing of brain cancer, but, I am feeling much more appreciative this year. Regardless, I find myself being grateful for even the most simple of expressions.

This Thanksgiving it doesn’t matter what day we celebrate it on, as long as my family is together. Despite my younger son’s work schedule, Thanksgiving will be a family affair. A time to reconnect, a time to reestablish our relationships, a time to put differences aside for the day.

Past Thanksgivings I would have breathed every scent of my children in and made our time together slow, sweet, and memorable. Dishes and pots and pans would have waited. There would have been thoughts to share, conversations to have, and games to play.

This Thanksgiving I will rejoice a little differently. My oldest son, while living close by, will not share the holiday with me. My youngest son, he and I have decided since it is just the two of us, we will help out at the homeless shelter serving the Thanksgiving dinner to the less fortunate. That will be the best way for us to spend our Thanksgiving afternoon.

Of all the blessings that I count in my life, my children are at the very top. I look back on my life ... before my oldest son was born, and I realize that my life had no meaning, no value, no purpose until his birth. Since my oldest son has grown and moved onto his own life, it is my younger son who continues my purpose.

My children have loved me without condition. Except for the Father’s love, I’ve never known that before. How precious that is. When I look at my children, I am reminded of the amazing grace the Father has for me. There can be no other explanation for His goodness.

Births, weddings, family celebrations are all about love and creating memories ... memories that no camera could capture. These are the memories that can only be captured in our hearts.

What about you? Are you ready to shed the things that have no real value in your life? Are you prepared to prioritize so that the relationships that do have value, will also have a slice of your time?

This Thanksgiving, let’s all strive to enjoy the people who have meaning in our lives. Let’s remember the innocents who unwillingly gave their lives on the morning of September 11 and willingly give their time and lives in the war against terrorism. In doing that, let’s hold those we love close to our hearts so they know they are loved and valued by us.

High School & Our "Senior Card Freedom"

When I was in high school -- it seems like three lifetimes ago -- during my senior year, the administration decided we were responsible and mature enough to handle what would be called a "Senior Card".

This "Senior Card" was the epitome of freedom for high school seniors everywhere who wanted to come and go without being accountable to anyone during the school days. The administration gave us the card for the second half of our senior year and the card gave us the freedom to literally to come and go as we pleased.

If we had doctor appointments, or jobs, or slept late, or whatever, all we had to do was flash the card in the office and our tardiness or absence was excused without a note from a parent or a doctor. That was so cool for us.

And, we took full advantage of it. Frankly, I was lucky to graduate from high school! I know I have the paper somewhere, but I'm not so sure the empirical evidence, in this case, is justified. If the truth be told, I don't remember showing up more than one or two times a week for the entire last semester. And since the school wasn't requiring excuses from a parent, my parents didn't have a clue.

Oh, the stories I could tell ... then there was Mrs. Hall, my English teacher -- I think from 10th grade. We were really cruel to her. She actually retired early because of us. But, that's for another time ...

Biopsy, Dallas, & Glory To God!

After three days in Dallas I was more than happy to get home: my son, my dog and cat and home all needed my attention. I also needed to catch up on my soaps. They were just starting new story lines that were down-right interesting!!


OK. The biopsy went very well -- all was successful. The doctors knew what they were facing and what kind of treatment I was facing. In Amarillo, the Harrington Cancer Center was the epitome of progressive cancer treatment and exactly what I needed.



My doctors were remarkable. From a stereo-tactic biopsy in Dallas, I went to stereo-tactic radiation treatments at the HCC. Every day the staff assembled my head into this device so the radiation would hit the exactly right spot. That white thing is a mask that was made of my face before they could ever begin. There was a back to it that was clamped down so my head could not move. For anyone who had issues with claustrophobia, the mask would have been a problem. After the radiation treatments, I completed two six-week treatments of chemotherapy via pills.

I was so blessed. God never took His hand off me.

Once in awhile I had a little queasiness from the chemo, and certainly I lost hair from the radiation and chemo. But in the end, God prevailed. At my second MRI after the last chemo series, the tumor was declared mush and the cancer had no cells left.

Glory to God!! The divine healing was clear to the doctors and every MRI since is just as clear as the second. My healing is real. The Father was faithful and would not allow me to abandon my young son.

Today, every time I have the opportunity to share this wonderful testimony of the Father's grace and mercy, people are encouraged because they too can be touched as I was by the remarkable and divine love and miracle that the Father showered on me.

Who Said Airplanes Don't Wait For Anyone?

You should have seen me run! Remember I was tugging on luggage for three days ... plus my MRI x-rays. I was a sight. But, praise God. They waited for me, and I made my flight. My friend and I found seats towards the back of the plane and tried to get as comfortable as possible.

You should also know that I always try to have fun no matter where I am. That includes this trip to Dallas for a biopsy of my brain. So, I tried to find things to laugh about. My voice tends to carry. People either find my laughter contagious or irritating.

There was a man on the plane who found my laughter beyond irritating. He got up and found a seat further up the plane -- after turning around and giving me the dirtiest look I'd seen in a long, long time.

Given the fact I was on my way to have a loooong needle put into my brain I was not going to let this man change my mood. However, my friend and I did happen to bump into him later at the Dallas airport. He didn't seem to be so upset at that time. I really did consider apologizing to him, but he disappeared in the crowd rather quickly. So, to you Mr. Man, I am sorry.

The trip to Dallas was punctuated by a very successful biopsy, a dinner at a tasty seafood restaurant, and learning just how expensive taxis can be in Dallas! Truly, my friend and I returned to Amarillo after three days with no more incidents.

The biopsy showed the tumor had grown into malignant cancer that could no longer be ignored and sat across both communication lobes on the left side of my brain. Making the cancer and the tumor inoperable. As a writer I could not risk being left unable to communicate.

A Needle In My Brain - Just What The DR Ordered

The doctors decided that the something that what had to be done was a biopsy of my brain so they would have a better understanding of what was going on inside of my brain. That was a pretty scary time. Just thinking about the needle that they would need to sink into my brain would bring anxious times to me.

Because of the kind of tumor it was, and where it was, if they made one mistake, put that needle in the wrong place, my ability to communicate would be jeopardized. My oral and written communication skills could be gone.

That was when I had to remember who was in control. Not the doctors and certainly not me. It was my God, my Creator, my Father.

They explained it to me very clearly. The process was called "stereo tactic" due to the way my head would be held during the process. I was sitting up at about 90 degrees and my head was held within a frame ... and I was awake.

Anyway, after a lot of prayer, I was ready. My son was prepared and taken care of, and I was off to Dallas for three days.

Although I was running late to the airport, and even going through all the hoops at the security gate, and I just couldn't catch up. A friend was traveling with me and tried to tell them I was on my way and they didn't want to wait. Who knew??

But, wait they did. Once again, God showed His hand on my situation and the plane waited on me. It was just a couple of minutes, but it was all the time I needed to get through security and to the plane door!

Cancer

Cancer. It's such an ugly word. If you look real close at my picture you'll see the left side of my hair is thinner than the right side.

That's because just two short years ago I had inoperable malignant brain cancer. It was called parietal temporal and posterior frontal mass - aka: oligodendroglioma.

This picture shows how bad the radiation affected my hair. Eventually I had to have all my hair buzzed so it would all grow back at an even rate. Two years later, it's still unevenly growing.

Pretty scary stuff. Or it could have been. But I had great doctors, a great treatment center, and the best Physician ever.

There's a wonderful story about this blessing in my life. Yes, I do call this cancer a blessing because of all the wonderful people who I met, but more than anything else, it was an opportunity for me to have my faith in my Father strengthened.

One doctor gave me two to three years to live. My youngest son was just 13. It was one of the hardest times we had ever gone through. I came home, we sat on the couch and I explained to my young son in terms that he could digest, what the doctors had told me.

We cried and prayed and cried some more.

I started flying back and forth to Dallas every six months for check-ups with the best neurosurgeon in the nation. Bringing my MRI's with me on the plane, eventually it was decided the tumor had just grown too large and something had to be done.