There isn't a lot of new information to share this week.  I'm still going to doctor appointments and doing whatever they ask me to do.  Some of it has been challenging and hard and I haven't liked most of it, but I've managed to do whatever they've asked.  Things are going well and I'm feeling good.  I wouldn't describe my emotions as extremely happy, but it hasn't been horrible.  Let's just say I've had a few crying moments and leave it at that.  Anyways, don't worry.  I'm fine. :)  I'll probably start chemo after Father's Day....I think. :/ 

Here's a poem my cousin cross-stitched for me.  I read it everyday to remind myself of your prayers and of God's love.  I think it applies to everyone.  I pray He watches over each of  YOU and helps YOU when YOU feel life is "hard to handle".  I know He loves us all.  It's a simple poem, but a good reminder of how we are all loved. 

When things in life
seem hard to handle
just know that God
is watching over you
  ***********
I know because
I asked Him to

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/12/fashion/what-to-say-to-someone-whos-sick-this-life.html?_r=2

I ran across this article published in The New York Times.  It's written by Bruce Feiler and he wrote it on June 10, 2011.  It's titled, "You Look Great and Other Lies".  It gives excellent suggestions of what we should NEVER say to someone who is sick and suggestions of what we can ALWAYS say.  I wish I would have read this a long time ago, when I was perplexed as to what to say to someone who has/had cancer.  I always feel like I say the dumbest things when I am in situations like that.  Anyways, I like the article but I am not perfect at applying it.  Some day! (sigh)  :)

Some of the comments from the article haven't begun to apply to me yet (they haven't begun to bother me so far anyways), but I can see how hearing these responses often would be hard.  I especially like the idea of not asking what to DO to help, but just DOING it.  I don't need help really (I don't want this to sound like a request to help me.), but I think it's a great thing we can all apply to our lives as we seek to help and serve OTHERS. 

I have to say that I like it when people say they are praying for me, even if they forget sometimes.  It makes me feel better, especially if it's a sincere comment.  My school kids and their parents made several comments about how their child would pray for me and never forget to ask God to help me feel better.  They said they would remember to pray for me all on their own without a parent reminder.  Then they would follow-up those prayers with comments of hope and faith that I would be okay, because they had prayed it would be so.  I treasure those sincere thoughts and comments.  "From the mouth of babes..."  I love kids!

Everyone is different and everyone likes and dislikes different things.  Keeping that in mind can help us when we make comments to people who are sick  Really thinking before acting or saying things and doing things with a sincere heart is probably the best way to approach things.  At school I quote  Thumper from Bambi every single day, "If ya can't say somethin' nice, don't say nothin' at all", except I change the grammar a bit. :)  I think Thumper gives good advice.  He's so cute too! 

Well, there's my input.  I hope no one will be afraid to talk to me.  I appreciate when people initiate talking to me and so far I haven't had anything hurtful said to me.  I hope I can skip that part.  I would rather talk to people than be left alone or ignored because people are afraid to offend me or don't know what to say.  Being loved is more important than saying all the right things.  Well, take care and have a wonderful and happy week!