The Power of Love

It was a sad day. It was a beautiful day. Losing someone we love, regardless of their age and regardless of how, brings grief. My brothers and I made the short trip to Ashville to join Julie's family in a celebration of her life. There were her children, grandchildren, friends from days past and more recent,  all sharing stories, laughing, smiling, hugging -- a beautiful tribute to a beautiful person and a life well lived.

Pics o' the Day

Me and Jana

Treasured memories: I remember the
day Jana's mom took us to buy our
tricycle license plates and fabric for
our matching doll-clothes bags

The Gift of Love

Learned today a dear woman who left an indelible mark on my life passed away. Julie Ramin was the original "craft mom," teaching her daughter Jana and me how to embroider, crochet, make sit-upons, bake cookies, and more. She was full of hugs and love. She was a second mom.

Julia Ann Weaver Ramin

Last month Jana took me to visit Julie who was in hospice. Jana prepared me that Julie had good and bad days and that she might not know me. For the next 30 minutes, in a soft and slow voice, Julie reminisced with us about life on Shamrock Drive. I think (I know) Jana and I both received a grace-filled gift that day.

"No longer will the sun be your light by day, Nor the brightness of the moon shine upon you at night; the Lord shall be your light forever, your God shall be your glory." Is. 60:19

Pic o' the Past

Peggy Haunty, Julie Ramin, Barbara Atkinson

A Resolution Already Foiled

Yesterday, New Year's Day, I was all set to kick off 2013 with my "return" to bosomundheit, but Time Warner Cable foiled my plans with an unexpected outage of cable, Internet, and telephone; one of the cons to bundling?

Twas the season for spotty blog posts -- a bosomundheit hiatus of sorts, I guess. It did give me some time to reflect on what this blog has meant to me the last seven months. And, on New Year's Day for Auld Lang Syne, I went back and read some of my early posts, which resulted in a strange, disconnected "did-I-really-go-through-that?" sort of feeling. Weird.

Twas also a season for big and small miracles.
In early December, our home church was asked to pray for a young student from Harambee Christian School who was undergoing treatment for a horrible affliction called Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a deadly skin disease. Not only is it a life-threatening condition, it's almost always terribly disfiguring and some cases result in blindness. The miracle? This young boy defied the odds and was home for Christmas with comparatively minimal impact to his face -- a total reversal of what the doctors anticipated just a couple of weeks earlier. God's touch.

A much smaller miracle by comparison, but still significant in my wee world, is resolution of the conflict over the attack on Sedona. Things were pointing toward me having to take them to court for the $1,000, but my heart wasn't in it. Instead (again after lots of prayer) I wrote them a letter, explained a bit about my life the last 13 years, what it's meant to live on our street, and the benefit of being able to call on good neighbors. Of course there was more, including wanting a guarantee that they would keep their dog away from my girl. Upshot: a bag of cookies for me, homemade treats for Sedona and a heartfelt note that reassured me they were sincere about Sedona's safety. God's presence.

Breaking the Silence

That's a partial truth. While I'm making noise on the blog after five days of silence, I've not been very vocal the last 24 hours thanks to a bout with laryngitis; a bad condition for someone who works in the field of communications!

That aside I am feeling pretty good (if a little tired), busy with work, and very much looking forward to Christmas -- both for the brief respite this time of year brings and the peace-filled celebration of Christ's entrance into our dark world. The greatest gift I can think of asking for, besides that which his birth promised, is good health for me and those I love.

Pic o' the Day

My Christmas Crib.
I'm just one of many in the Schneider family
that carries on a tradition started in 1907 by my Grandpa,
Edward Joseph Schneider

Backward and Forward, Past and Future

I took a journey down memory lane today, traveling south of Columbus to visit with a childhood friend, Jana. We grew up next door to each other in our east side, post-war brick ranch houses on a street where the phrase "idyllic childhood" was coined. We ran in and out of each others houses and yards as if we belonged to both. Our families played cards, grilled out, went to the pool, watched fireworks, and celebrated holidays together. Our mothers, both stay-at-home moms, were friends and the love of that friendship flowed around their two little girls.

After our lunch today, Jana and I went to the assisted living facility where her mom is in hospice. Julie is, in Jana's words, "... transitioning into that final journey of her life."  Julie was weak and her voice soft, but she knew who I was and the three of us sat around recalling life on Shamrock Drive.

This evening had me journeying to my niece Amy's house where her dad and mom (Kirk & Kath) were babysitting little Audrey Madison and Ellie Sophia.


Backward and Forward, Past and Future: Life.

Time Keeps on Slippin' into the Future

Where does time get to? Back in February, when I was looking at the year ahead through the lens of breast cancer treatment, December seemed so very far away. I am grateful to be viewing time through a different lens now, but that doesn't mean the speed in which it is passing is any slower!

On another note, I enjoyed a sugary Sunday with Riley baking cookies and making other Christmas projects. The cut outs were delicious thanks to a recipe from my pal Donna. The secret? Almond extract in the cookie dough and icing - Yummy!

And, on Tuesday, I had a house full of holiday cheer when my home church peeps came over for our annual Christmas party. Lots of good food passed through the door and even better, wonderful fellowship.

Drooping eyes. Bed time.

Pic o' the Day

Nothing wrong with looking,
just no touching! :)

Many "Parks" are Edible

As Sedona and I walked along a path at the park today I noticed for the first time an engraved paver identifying the tree above it as Diospyros virginiana, aka the American Persimmon. On the ground were several crushed fruits. Looking up, I saw a few survivors clinging to the bare limbs. That's when I put on my Euell Gibbons hat, found a stick, knocked down a few of the fruits, and sampled. They were a little past prime, but still a treat. Here's to hoping the tree was not misidentified! ;)

Getting ready for a fun day tomorrow: spending time with my goddaughter. We're going to do some Christmas crafting and cookie baking -- tis the season!

Pic o' the Day

Mixed Bag

What a week. Worked late every night and at home. And, instead of my usual equanimity, I got frazzled and was abrupt with a colleague and friend. Argh. Yet, with the stress came the good: an excellent therapeutic arm massage and getting to see my favorite volunteer, Kay, at the Spielman Center. While visiting with Kay I talked with three women who were there for treatment. One was just getting started with radiation, another nearing completion, and I was humbled by the third who told me she was in for her second go-round with the CBitch.

Talking with them renewed my hope to someday do more volunteer work with women going through the battle -- how and when, only God knows!

Kay was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 80.
She's now 87. Talk about an inspiration!

And the Unasked for "Bonus?"

Copious amounts of peach fuzz. So, o.k., the salt-and-pepper coverage atop former old baldy is unquestionably welcome. However, less so is the fine peach fuzz that is robustly growing on the side of my face. I hadn't really noticed it until the last week. Yikes, I'm telling you, it's not my finest look! I researched the topic on Google, of course. According to the women who shared their stories, the fuzz stage eventually goes away. Well, I sure as hell hope so and when can I expect "eventually" to take place?!

The potential pre-lymphedema symptoms or possible post-taxol neuropathy seem to be abating. If I were more diligent about my physical therapy, I imagine the issues I'm experiencing would be further reduced. Sedona, though ever loving and loyal, is not my greatest motivator on that front. We do so enjoy our couch time together!

Pic o' the Day

I don't think I've shared this picture yet.
If I have, oh well, it's one of my faves!

Rung Out

According to my radiation oncologist, Dr. Quick, all is looking good one month (and eight days) out from my last shake-n-bake. While I was there I heard the sweet peal of the victory bell -- another sister in the battle celebrating her final treatment. A happy sound, a good way to start the day.

Pic o' the Day

Two of the sweetest and finest people I know,

my neighbors, Clark & Betty Biddle.

This was taken last Christmas at the Governor's Residence.

Clark got a real kick out of meeting Gov. Kasich!