I have a request today. One of our own beloved readers is facing a hard challenge, again. There should, after 15 years be a relaxation of vigilance, but as we all know too personally, cancer does not provide relief. Miss Shirley is a beloved friend who agreed to share her name and is grateful for your support today, but never ever asks anything for herself, so I offered. No one I know has worked more diligently to make disciplined health decisions, drastically changing diet and lifestyle to improve her immune system. But just like chemo and radiation, nothing is perfect. Life provides too many ways to blindside us.
Shirley is brave. She is a gold star mother to an only child killed in the middle east. She champions veterans, seeking the very best care and is focused and determined. She is confident and doesn’t scare easily. Sometimes we don’t realize that our lives are about to change as it did for her this week, and anything can be the impetus. Too often the health of a child or spouse, loss of a job, injury or trauma of any kind surprises us, derailing our plans. They take our hearts and minds and rip them from the cherished serenity we try so hard to create. When this happens, the fight or flight kicks in and our cells are on alert. Unfortunately, the stress creates a good environment for illness to thrive.
Return of cancer is devastating, as too many of you know first hand. Since we are a unique community of people who care, please indulge me this request. During my visit today, I asked Shirley’s permission to share her current need with you and she is grateful. We all know how to pray, for some it comes naturally, others only when in distress, for some its a wishful thought not related to a higher power.
What matters is that when we lift our joined voices as one, we create a positive vibration of energy. I believe we will be a force: it will calm, it will lighten the burden and it will offer hope for a miraculous relief from pain and suffering. Join with me for sweet amazing courageous Miss Shirley. Hope always follows faith and today we need love too.
Many thanks dear friends. Stay strong Shirley, our spirits are lifting you and holding you in the palms of our hands with respect, admiration and love.