Oct 17
Once upon a time there was a newspaper reporter who simply loved reporting news. She didn’t want to make up stories or even write non-fiction books. She just wanted to stick to the facts and report the news–hopefully someday for the New York Times. But God had other plans. When she was 36, the doctors told her …
Oct 03
In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’d like to introduce you to my dear friend Polly, a cancer-free, five-time survivor–including three breast cancers, one of which was stage 4! Polly’s personal cancer journey began more than 15 years ago, although her family’s trek with this dreaded disease stretches back decades. Her mother, several …
Sep 26
The above quote from 20th-century American author/pastor A. W. Tozer is for me a mind-blowing one. What I think about God–who He is, how He acts, what He can and cannot do–is the very most important thing about me. Our view of God shapes our attitude, our emotions, our responses, and our plans in unimaginable …
Sep 19
Sometimes things move very quickly once you or a loved one gets a life-threatening diagnosis. I guess that’s good because you don’t have much time to think about it, but it also makes life feel a little like a surreal out-of-body experience: Can that really be me/us everyone is talking about? My cancer was discovered on …
Aug 22
Have you ever felt helpless knowing what to say when someone has experienced a deep loss? How do we convey sympathy without saying something irritating or even downright painful? (See last’s week’s blog “Six Things Never to Say to Grievers.”) Here are my thoughts on SIX THINGS ALWAYS TO SAY TO GRIEVERS. I’m so …
Aug 15
If you want to start a lively discussion sometime, just ask a roomful of grievers whether anyone has made an insensitive remark to them since their loved ones died. I guarantee you the recollections will be vivid, free-flowing and still hurtful no matter how much time has passed. We all encounter grieving people and …
Aug 01
I am by nature a wimp. I bruise and scar easily. Loud noises hurt my ears. I get motion sickness just turning around in the front seat of a car. And I definitely do not like pain. When I made the appointment for my first post-cancer colonoscopy (absolutely not scheduled to air on national …
Jul 25
The word “encourage” means to inspire or fill someone with courage, spirit or hope. But how in the world do you encourage someone who is depressed? To answer that difficult question, I’d like to share some thoughts from the book New Light on Depression by David Biebel, D.Min. and Harold Koenig, M.D. “Family members, loved …
Jul 18
Isn’t it amazing the impact our thoughts can have on our bodies? Back in 1990, I got chemo every Wednesday and that evening we would take our girls to Shoney’s Restaurant for supper because kids 12 and under (of which we had three!) were free. I was always pretty nauseous, so while my family enjoyed the …
Jul 11
There are certain “encouraging” phrases spoken to people going through difficulties which drive me nuts. “It’s all gonna work out.” (So you have a crystal ball and can see my future?) “I’m sure everything’s going to be fine.” (Because nothing bad ever happens to nice people?!) “Just take it one day at a time.” (Thanks, I’d rather …
