Beliefs

Another long time has passed since I wrote on this blog. Had many thoughts throughout these past weeks but a little lazy about finding the time. We just had Easter at my house yesterday. Last Easter was very quiet - But not this Easter. Michelle and Jay were home. (Also a new addition, Carla, Jay's chocolate lab puppy). Looking at my two oldest now makes me smile. They have achieved...they are moving forward...they just make me so proud I want to well up with tears (oh, and smile at the same time.). Then Mario...such a little genius that just needs to learn to harness his energy...he will achieve...he will move forward.

So having my house full continues to be so important - it makes me think that year after year this is going to happen. But then those stupid ghosts come creeping in. But the ghost is a little different on this holiday. She is a little stronger. She sees strength in her children. She see strength in her husband. The ghost of holiday's past is very proud, still profoundly sad that she can't be there but she knows that death is an inevitable part of life. Those that we love die but through it all life goes on. And to paraphrase something my nephew Andrew wrote - Beliefs in God, beliefs in family, and beliefs in friends will get you through. For those that don't know, Andrew in my 12 year old nephew who at 8 years old was witness to the death of his then 11 year old brother. Sometimes we get strength from some of the most phenomenal places!!!!

There have been other sad things over these past weeks - friends getting new cancer diagnoses, the death of my special friend Alexander at 20 months old from a cancer he was fighting since he was 8 months and the death of a man that was in my cancer support group. Somehow life will move on for each and every one of those living and fighting. Life will move on for those left on earth. My friends will battle cancer, Alexander's parents will walk the minute by minute walk of life, and families and friends under God's graces will continue to survive with the memories.

Everyday there are terrible tragedies. There are enormous ones like in Japan and there are other enormous ones, yet not as publicized such as Alexander's death a few weeks ago and my nephew Timothy's death over three years ago. How about my terminal cancer diagnosis just a month after Timothy died - a tragedy added to another tragedy. Prayer, love, support, and yes my red lipstick are things that keep life going in the face of such devastation. But my nephew Andrew put it very nicely and very succinctly Beliefs in God, family, and friends will get us through our darkest times. Hey Andrew, didn't you forget the red lipstick???