Faith, Hope and Charity

I knew there was a lot of different types of cancer, but had no idea there were as many. This picture shows sixteen types of cancer and each one of us knows some one person with one of them. My friend, Tanie, was diagnosed several years ago with lung cancer and she was told she did not have, or could not expect, a lot of time . . . time, which we sometimes waste does become a a prime factor on how we spend our seconds. Tanie is a fighter and she started treatments of radiation and chemotherapy. She has been through four complete sessions and gained five more years, and hopefully many more. The treatments have kept the cancer from spreading rapidly, but it has not cured it but has left her feeling weaker and slower so she has recently moved into assisted living. She didn't want to stay alone, or depend on daily help from her family. She wants her Independence and she wants to be around people so she can share her wonderful sense of being. Her sister used to tease her about who was the cutest . . . well I think she proved she is.

the candle is to remind us to keep our prayers and thoughts for all of those suffering from one type of cancer or the other. It reminds us of the light it brings into our world and it helps us to remember that each one needs the light to show them the way.

So today, a chilly Tuesday back east where the temperatures have gone below the below zero and it is difficult to be outdoors when the chill factor bites your very nose. Go carefully, and don't go if you can stay put withing the warmth of your home. You can find better things to do than slip and slide outdoors in the cold. Find a candle and light it and say a small prayer for the cancer victims and ask for a big miracle. . . a cure. When I light my candles this month, I will remember to ask for winter to leave . . .

"Winter is leaving, slowly it seems/trees still naked, gray and stark,/benches free, not a soul in the park/ familiar roads turning and twisting/high rocks of granite/sunshine glistening/ box elder with burls, old and gnarled/ standing gray and bent, getting ready to bloom/ as the sap runs up from winter gloom.

Winds are shifting,up high in the sky/clouds thready patterns please the eye/winter is leaving, slowly it seems/the sap is running to the top of the trees, buds are forming, soon leaves will abound/slowly and surely spring comes around." J.M.S.

The cartoon for the day . . . like the poem about winter leaving, the events of the day are changing. Watch, and wait. . . soon there will be good news, after all election time will be coming around and it always seems to bring some changes with it. Let us hope and pray for some good ones as we all need a boost to our morale.

So today, make it the best you can no matter if you are inside or out. Know that you are pretty well off in comparison to a lot of folks in your abilities to get ahead in your world both physically and mentally. So be thankful you are healthy, wealthy and wise and share the hugs as they are only good for what ails you. Hugs to all.