It is the first day of a new year. No snow in New England, yet.
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Good Morning, It’s God
This afternoon, as I pushed away the anxiety that my current health insurance dilemmas were causing, and the fears about seeing my oncologist tomorrow for what in my mind seems like a-well, the “it is time for chemo treatment” talk- a beloved colleague of mine walked into my classroom, and handed me a sheet of paper. She breezed in and out, as if on a compelling mission to make sure I had this unusual word of encouragement in my hand. It read in her daughters fun middle school aged script:
December is a time of joy.
My 50 something year old cousin died suddenly last week. Suddenly.
Some of you I was able to call (Mom, dad, Marlane, Cathy, Laurie, & Matt) to let you know the outcome of my meeting with the oncologist today at MGH.
I will trust in You I will trust in You
This is why:
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid
I will trust in You
Let the weak say
I am strong
In the strength of the Lord
You are my hiding place
You always fill my heart
With songs of deliverance
Whenever I am afraid
I will trust in You
Let the weak say I am strong
In the strength of the Lord
All lyrics www.allthelyrics.com
I will trust in You
A dogwood named “Connie”
by Kathleen
May 14th was filled with fun!
HealingHope
I have now subscribed to MGH’s carepageshttp://www.carepages.com/mgh
I may be blogging there only for a season.
Some circumstances in my own journey with ovarian cancer have changed as of the end of April.
“Crumbs” in my pelvic area have been found.
An enlarged lymph node is being watched…
and I am faced with a second round of chemotherapy
beginning at the end of June after another CT scan.
My hope:
God will supernaturally remove the recurrence from my body by June.
There will be no need to fight the cancer with chemo!
I will keep the details posted.
Singing Beach, Manchester, MA
Another Cancer Patient
I have been to see Sarah B., a friend struggling with lung cancer, no treatment left, it has ravaged her system. She said to me so resolvedly the other day, “Cancer is some disease, isn’t it? I answered a knowing yes, torn, that her body is feeling the full effects of it, and mine had a short time with it, and recovering…is recovering…and I am now processing it in a layer of my being that I did not know existed.
The other day I wrote a free verse poem in response to my visit with her. I had gone to see her to get the chance to connect with her again, and pray over her.
It was an amazing blessed visit. I felt God’s presence in it, and was so glad to have been able to schlep down to MGH.
A Free Verse for a Friend
written after visiting Sarah Bollinger in Room 1610 at MGH
Mary-Margaret Almonte
Oh Sarah, sweet Sarah
You are a radiant woman, but oh, sooooo out of your kitchen element, and flour powdered clothing.
You are a mother to one, but beautifully a mom to many.
To know you is to love you.
Exuberant about life, food, oh food-seems to small a word for what you do with it.
F-O-O-D.
Magnificent creations crafted with time, effort, (seemingly effortless) love and expertise.
Sarah is about living. Living it up. Living Large. Living well.
Whipping up amazing ingredients that turn into extraordinary recipes.
Mirepoix and gusto.
Not to mention this gigantic cappuccino machine that sits in a corner of her beloved kitchen.
Upon entrance to her domain whether through her archway in front or the sliding glass back door, a person on any given day could be greeted with “Do you want me to make you a cappuccino- decaf?”
Sarah’s place was a space I sought refuge in during a season my home life was chaotic. It was like visiting a bed and breakfast without the overnight stay.
Decaf Cappuccino and mirepoix turned to a hearty squash soup, and a great story about Juliet Child calmed every frazzled nerve in me one day as I sat with Sarah in her kitchen..
Being served by Sarah was like taking a day at the spa, but she was massaging the inside of your stomach and your heart with good food and cheer that came in the form of food and conversation.
Oh Sarah, sweet Sarah.
Magnificent woman of great stature.
She is the “Joy of Cooking.”
Rapid-fire discussions of ingredients and processes weave anticipation of the first bite of sheer deliciousness.
Entrees, side dishes, side side dishes, and desserts.
Oh Sarah, sweet Sarah.
Her desserts!
What can I say?
No words really adequately describe the dessert experience of Sarah Bollinger.
Generous talent. Creative genius.
Her desserts “Take the Cake.”
Marzipan masterpieces found artistically placed on a cake that speaks the theme sometimes loud or with a whisper.
A glance told her themes.
A stare made you drool.
A bite screamed her talent.
Sarah’s food tells stories.
She is a woman full of stories.
Stories of lives, death, joy, sorrow, success, disappointment, humor and delight.
These weave her tapestry that is uniquely hers.
Now, skating on a frozen river.
Cancer.
Life.
Death.
Possible-probable death.
Oh Jesus, sweet Jesus please extend her life, Heal her lungs, and touch her whole being, so she can stay with us longer.
Sarah may depart from us one day, maybe too soon, but there is a certainty that she will stay forever, and be
Sarah, sweet Sarah, in all of our hearts.
March 23rd “This month has roared in…”
I am so weary of the cold New England weather. It’s been weeks now since Jenna’s funeral.
I am thinking mostly about her mom, and the cold harsh grief that I am certain has stricken her.
I pray for her.
I regret not reaching out to Jenna in more than just knowing smiles.
I regret not talking with the girl. Thinking that’s there’d be time.
I should know better than this…
Time is now to do what moves you-especially when there is a cancer diagnosis involved.
I need to take this all to heart….
I am somehow hopeful though.
I remember asking-sometimes begging-God to give me strength for today and HOPE for tomorrow.
I am now walking in the hope of His miraculous recovery over me.
Grateful.
Quieter.
Happier.