Friday, April 24, 2015

When Pink's not pretty...






Everyone is familiar with the pink ribbon and its implication that beneath the pink there’s a woman with breast cancer. And fighting for her life.


I’m always mindful that it could just as easily be me and gladly give money to help. I pray that scientist find the answers to end cancer soon. Someone must find the cure to the devastating diagnosis that affects far too many women and the lives of their families. 


A month ago my daughter decided not to cancel yet another mammogram, and instead, kept the appointment she’d been putting off for way too long. And received the news. The tender lump between her armpit and breast turned out to be IDC- invasive ductal carcinoma which forms in the milk ducts.


Suddenly, things have come to a screeching halt as she rediscovers the importance of diet, health, and lifestyle. The erratic pace I watched her run for years- errands, work, and even parenting, has taken a backseat while she’s forced to do whatever means necessary to survive.

Why didn’t she go to the doctor's sooner? Was she really so busy she couldn’t make one very important checkup? The means of preventing such catastrophic results are available but only if you take the time to follow through. Please….

Don’t put it off. The world is much nicer with you in it.




 



Monday, April 13, 2015

Welcome Glenda, the good witch, and the Tin Man




My cast of dolls from the Wizard of Oz is nearly complete. Recently added is
Glenda, the good witch- who floated down in a bubble, dressed in a soft pink gown, a crown resting on top of beautiful red curls.



I never realized how smart she really was until I searched for a bit of encouraging words from the lady herself.

Glenda- "Home is a place we must all find, child. It's not just a place where you eat or sleep. Home is knowing, knowing your mind. Knowing your heart, knowing  your courage. If we know ourselves we are always home, anywhere."

And her advice to the great and powerful Oz- "You're capable of more than you know."


And of course what fairy-tale is complete without a hero. 




Meet the Tin Man- that cute little woodcutter who while searching for a heart, stole ours as well. He looked danger in the face but willing admitted- his only fear was being caught in a thunderstorm without his oil can.

He believed: "A heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others."


I'm not sure how many more dolls there actually are from the Oz collection but I do know there is the Wizard. And I would love to find a monkey wearing one of those red and black striped suits. We'll see. 


Until then, it'll be fun to see what turns up. :  )