two more years

I think I've already mentioned how much I love the Olympics. I really do. Whether it's Winter or Summer, I enjoy watching the show of athleticism and competitiveness. I like learning about the different sports, about the countries, and especially hearing the personal stories of the athletes. I love feeling American pride while watching our athletes represent our country in such a fine manner. Heck, I even like the commercials. It's been a wonderful two weeks of all of this, and I'm sad to see it end.

As I reflect on these winter games, I realize there's another thing I enjoy about the Olympic event, and that's the sportsmanship of not just the athletes, but the countries themselves. It's a thing of beauty to watch the people of this world getting along with each other, even encouraging and lending support to each other. For two weeks, it feels like the world is a little smaller and much more friendlier.

It reminds me of Christmastime. For a short period of time each year, the world is a rosier place where people want to share their Christmas spirit with friends and strangers alike. But by January 1st, that Christmas good will has pretty well died out and becomes a mere memory. It's the same for the Olympic spirit. It's time is limited.

I'm guessing that most of us are looking forward to moving on from the late nights of non-stop Olympic coverage and on to our normal sleep patterns, but I, personally, am going to miss watching and feeling that Olympic spirit. And unlike Christmas, which comes around every year, we're going to have to wait two years before the Olympic flame is lit again. But when it is lit, it will burn brightly, and once again, we can bask in it's glow.

thursday

Thank you for everyone's kind words and prayers.
(from previous post)

Just a thought...

California... we're coming back!

fear not

My biggest fear....
three little (but powerful) words....
you have cancer

I am not one to live my life in fear, but if I had to name a real fear I have, and have had for a long time, I wouldn't even have to think about it. It would be the chance of having cancer.

So imagine where my mind went and what I've been living with for the last couple of weeks after being told that there was unusual calcification found on my last mammogram film. Actually, I ran the gamut of emotions. Not only fear, but worry, denial, and anxiety. But after the initial onslaught of negative emotions hit, and threatened to take over, I came to a place where I could rely on such emotions as peace and hope.

I was able to get to this place because of my trust in God and knowing He was there with me no matter what the outcome was (and is) to be. I learned a long time ago that worrying doesn't accomplish anything positive - only negative, so why worry over what may never happen and something I didn't have any control over. I also had a lot of prayers and support which was of great comfort to me.

I had a second [magnifying] mammogram and ultrasound done that determined I needed a biopsy. A biopsy was done and the results came back negative for cancer - yay God! But did show that I have something called Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia (ADH). In the next couple of weeks I will have to have an MRI and then a surgical procedure to remove the tissue that is affected.

I'm not looking forward to this but I am soooooo thankful that I'm dealing with this instead of cancer. And with God at my side, and holding my hand, I know I can get through anything.

Here's the piece of scripture that I've held on to through all of this....
"For I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you." Isaiah 41:13 NIV

that time of year

...

This week's Aloha Friday question is...

Do you give up anything for Lent? If so, what are you giving up this year?

Some years I do and some years, I don't. This year, I am not giving up anything, but I will try to find special and new ways to draw closer to God in the next 40 days that lead up to Easter. My denomination doesn't practice Lent, but I do see the value in giving up something important as a sacrifice to remind us of the sacrifice Jesus made for us all.

sign of the times

yes, i'm still here

post it notes

Find more Post It Notes here.

happy 101

What a lovely surprise. My blogging friend, Karen, of Over the Backyard Fence, awarded me with this Happy 101 award. Thank you Karen. Your blog makes me happy, too.

First, I have to list 10 things that make me happy. Then I get to pass the goodness and the award to other bloggers who make me happy.

Here is my list of happy things...

1. Starbuck's white chocolate mocha

2. Having both of my kids home from college at the same time.

3. Photo opportunities.

4. Sunday afternoon naps

5. Honey Bunches of Oats

6. The sun shining on my face

7. Scrapbooking

8. The beach

9. A good book

10. Flowers

I'm passing this happiness on to the following bloggers:

Huckdoll, because, for some reason, it makes me happy to read about her self-realization journey. She questions herself and others and she finding out who she is and where she fits in her life and in this world. We are all on this journey, but Huckdoll writes with such openness and honesty, that not all find the courage to do. That makes me happy.

Mary, of Not Before 7, because she has a weekly meme called Tiny Talk Tuesday where she (and others) share the funny things her kids say. This always brings a smile to my face and leaves me in a happier mood. I like her serious writing just as much.

Sarah, of My Wonderful Life, because I enjoy her spunk and enthusiasm. I admire her commitment to her family and her country and her friendship makes me happy. Reading about her children also puts a smile on my face.

Maybe I should have included reading blogs in my list of 10, because so many of my blogging friends out there do make me happy. So, if I read your blog and leave comments, consider yourself awarded. I'd love to hear what makes you happy.

the final words

...

I'm going to take a question from one of my Random Dozen post yesterday...

If you could write your own epitaph for your tombstone, what would it say?

My answer was:

She lived, laughed, and loved.

To be honest, I have never given this much thought. I like this epitaph but I thought of it pretty quickly and I might come up with something better before something actually needs to be inscribed in stone =)

Aloha Friday can be found over at An Island Life.

no sushi for me

...

1. Do you use the labels various charities send you as “free gifts?”

I don't really get those any more, and I don't think I ever did because I didn't send money to the charity and would have felt guilty using their "free gift."

2. What is your favorite time of day (or night) for skywatching?

I love the clouds we get here in Colorado so any time of day is good, but I also love a good, deep-colored sunset. I'm not usually up for the sunrises.

3. What is the most adventurous you've ever been with trying a new food? (Keep it G-rated please)

I'm not very adventurous when it comes to food. I have a texture issue with my food. I did try sushi once and that didn't go well.

4. Have you ever heard a rock sing? (Trust me, there's a reason for this one!)

I don't know what the purpose is of this one, but no, I haven't.

5. If you could learn a language you don't presently speak, what would it be?

Sign language. I think that would be cool. I love watching people sign.

6. Al Capone's tombstone read, “My Jesus, Mercy.” If you could write your own epitaph, what would it say?

"She lived, laughed, and loved."

7. If you were a famous musician who was known by one name, like “Cher,” “Sting,” or “Jewel,” what would it be? It doesn’t have to be your first name, but it can be, if you’d like.

I don't know. I can't think of anything.

8. Have you ever been inordinately “into” a television show?

LOST and 24. I watched the first few seasons of 24 on DVD... one episode right after another. It was addicting, and we watched it as a family so there was a sense of intimacy to it. I've watched LOST since the very first episode, and enjoy the complexity of it.

9. When you sneeze, do you go big, or do you do that weird “heenh!” sound that makes people think you’re going to blow your brains out? Any other variation we should know about?

I think my sneezes are somewhere in the middle - not too big or small.

10. Do you still read an actual newspaper that you hold in your hands, or do you get your news elsewhere?

Nope, I don't read an actual newspaper. Get my news online or from the television.

11. Are you a good speller?

Yes, I am. Always have been. I wish everyone was a good speller because it kinda bugs me when words are misspelled.

12. At what time each day do you start thinking about lunch?

I guess around noon. Sometimes I don't eat until after 1:00.

Random Dozen is hosted by Linda over at 2nd Cup of Coffee.

black history=my history

Today, being the first of February, kicks off Black History Month. I've never given this themed month too much thought. But I remember last year getting to February 28th and thinking, "I didn't write anything on my blog that would commemorate the history of the black person or praise the accomplishments of anyone from the black community."

So, when I read something today that reminded me that we are once again to this month on the calendar, I started thinking about what Black History Month really means to me. What should it mean to me? Although I think it's a good thing that we recognize the many contributions made by the black man or woman, why do we have to have a month to do that? Why aren't we doing that all year long?

And why do we single out the black heritage? Do we have a Native American month?, or a Hispanic month? Not that I know of. I'm thinking that black history is a part of American history. We shouldn't pigeon-hole all that is of the African-American people into just one month out of the entire year. Their history is every American's history. That's just my opinion.

Even though I have the above opinion, I went looking into some black history. I found the Bio site is featuring biographies on all kinds of black people, from activists to athletes to politicians to musicians. The History site also gives some interesting milestones and stories. I enjoy history - all kind of history - so I will spend some time reading these features this month.

I guess that's really the purpose of Black History month... education. And to that end, it's an important month that shouldn't go by without notice.