In Memorium 9/11

Photo credit:  Me!

Today marks 12 years since 9/11 ~ 2 numbers which have become synonymous with terrorism, sadness, death, heroes and a life changing day in the U.S.A. ~ as well as the phone number which calls for help!  Ask most people where they were on September 11, 2001, and they remember.

If you talk to those in the tri-state area, we all have stories, so many of us impacted personally by the tragedy and losses that encompass 9/11.  Lives lost, friends, family, childhood friends ~ in one mass swoop.  I find it interesting that in NYC, it was the World Trade Centers which fell, changing how the world traded violence by attacking and yet, that violence has forced us to find peace.  We’ve learned to not take anything for granted.  We’ve been tested and triumphed by learning the lesson that we survive, perhaps broken and battered, but life goes on whether we like it or not.  We have learned to find grace in the dawning of a new day.  It is not without sorrow though that we remember how so many lives were torn apart and how we’ve mended.  We’ve simply continued to take baby steps.

So, I ask of you…

Please take a moment today:

To look up to the sky and give thanks for this day.

To hug and kiss your loved ones before they leave your home..

And to welcome them back the same way.

To call a friend to tell them how you feel.

To reach out and smile at a stranger.

To stand in silence for a moment to honor all those who lost their lives.

To forgive all those whom you find unforgivable.

To live in peace.

To be loving to all those you encounter today.

To anonymously do something kind for someone else.

To say a prayer for world peace.

And, as always…

Shine On!

xo

Miss America’s Mastectomy?

http://todayhealth.today.com/_news/2013/01/11/16463704-miss-america-contestant-gets-hate-mail-over-mastectomy-plans?lite

Dear Miss District of Columbia,

You don’t know me, but when I saw the article on you yesterday, I just knew I had to write to you.  Please accept my deepest sympathies as I am so sad that you lost your mom, your grandmother and your great-aunt to breast cancer.  My heart goes out to you for the difficult decisions you have to contemplate at the tender age of 24 in order to reduce your risk of enduring breast cancer.  As an 11 year breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed at age 34, I can’t even begin to imagine how difficult this decision is for you.  My heart goes out to you.

Although my story is different from yours, I wanted to share in hopes of letting you know that there are those of us who understand.  My journey began with a lumpectomy.  Originally I had wanted a bilateral mastectomy instead of the lumpectomy, but my surgeon denied my request, citing his philosophy to save the breasts and keep them intact.   However, when the pathology results revealed there was further breast cancer invasion to the lymph nodes and outer margins, I was scheduled for a second surgery which was to remove only the cancerous breast.  And that’s when I started listening to myself ~ just like you are doing now!

I called my surgeon back and scheduled a double mastectomy even though nobody agreed with me, least of all my surgeon.  But I know me, and as I began listening to me, I  knew in my heart that it was ME who was going to inhabit my body, day in and night out and it was my comfort level which had to have first priority.  There were shady calcifications in the other breast which to me, would eventually lead to breast cancer again, so I wanted that out of the equation in my life!

It’s been a rocky road for me with the reconstructions, but I have never once regretted my decision to take both of my breasts and I can happily tell you that I feel that I am here because I really listened to myself.  I think our bodies know what we need to do and it is just a matter of our listening to our own bodies which helps to heal and not hinder our lives.

I am very proud of you for listening to yourself and to your body and for having the courage to stand up and speak about it.  Please don’t let anyone else’s opinion sway you because it is YOU who has to live in your body everyday and it will be your healing or your fight in the end and nobody else’s.   It is not easy to live without your breasts and it is a painful decision to make ~ however, I stand firmly beside you ~ for it is YOUR rightful decision to make and no one else’s.  Surely your mom, your grandmother and your great aunt proudly applaud your courage as do the rest of us.

I love your quote, ““I’ve been thinking how powerful that might be to have a Miss America say, ‘I might be Miss America but I’m still going to have surgery. I’m going to take control of my own life, my own health care,’ ” she said. “So I guess it’s up to what happens on Saturday night.”

May you continue to be a shining example of  light, of hope  and of taking control of your own life,

your own healthcare to the millions of women and men in the world!

Shine On Miss District of Columbia!

Long May You Reign!

xo

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness…

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,

that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,

that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Happy 4th of July to ALL ~ especially to those in the United States of America ~ for whom this quote is especially pertinent since it comes from the US Declaration of Independence which was adopted back in 1776.

I loved this quote because I believe it is everyone’s right…and it is in your own power to exercise your freedom to be whomever you wish to be and to pursue what makes you happy.  This is YOUR LIFE ~ and our time here on Earth is limited.  Why waste YOUR TIME?  Today, amidst the holiday, take a few moments to ask yourself:  Are you pursuing your happiness?  Are you happy with your life?  Do you feel free or under constraint?  If any of those answers are not what you deserve by your rights, then it’s time for a change in your life.  It’s the 2nd part of the year, so there’s plenty of time to begin any adjustments you may need to make.  And if your answers are that you are living your life happily within your rights, then kudos to you!  Keep up the great work and go on to inspire others!

Have the courage to be whomever you are inside…let your inner beauty sparkle and grow ~ let it blossom and be seen by others ~ let your light shine and inspire!

Do what makes you happy, be good to others and enjoy your life.  It is your right.

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness….

Happy 4th Y’All!

xo

Memorial Day ~ True Heroism

“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic.

It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost,

but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.” —Arthur Ashe

On this Memorial Day 2012,  I am reminded of all who have served our beautiful country, the Unites States of America…allowing us to LIVE in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.   Members of my family have served our country and I am proud to say that for I feel it is our duty to all participate in supporting our military in whatever way we choose ~ be it by serving in the forces, by volunteering to help, by commerce ~ even by prayer.

I have had the pleasure of meeting many military personnel in my life and hearing their stories.  What always brings tears to my eyes is the fact that they have faced fear and had the courage that many times we shy away from in our own lives.  I’ve heard it said many times, that they would repeat what they had done because of their amazing conviction, devotion and urge to protect our country and its inhabitants.

Just for a moment today I’d like to ask that you give a thankful thought to all of those who serve our beautiful country ~ be grateful for all that you have today ~ that as you go about your journey to your party, to the beach, to a friend’s house, to a picnic or perhaps to work ~ that you do it safely because of those who serve are watching out for you and me.

Happy Memorial Day!

xo