August Assessment

On By K.L. HaleIn newsletter

Below is an excerpt from my newsletter I emailed subscribers yesterday. It’s my first since May! It took hours. Relearning, readjusting, repeating, revolving, reevaluating…extra effort. I think of you when I’m writing. You’re an audience that has boosted my confidence. Thank you from the bottom of my heart (Finley’s too…and her 3 tiny legs 🥰)

“Calendars are different now. I’m still celebrating the holidays that have held their place for years, new and old. Mostly my calendars circulate around chemo times, dr’s appts, or balancing the when’s and how’s to visit friends and family; also, time to just be. August is special to me. My oldest sister celebrated another year. My youngest grandgirl will turn 1 (Whitley turned 2 in June, Asher 3 in July). 1,2,3…the best counting start ever with the grands! The 30th is marked. I’m prayerfully positive the scans that day will have wonderful results! From my research, this chemo regimen seems to work “right off the bat”. It’s tricky. This round of chemo is a bit tougher. I’m “back to school” in so many ways. My learning will not stop. I’m shaking off the chalk dust each day after new learning. Some days I can’t get up from the desk. On other days I want field trips. Sometimes I put myself in the corner. I need the school nurse more than before. The counselor, too. I’m still cleaning up my halls and messes. I’m still eager. I’m throwing on my backpack of best practices. I’m sharpening my pencil to prepare positive notes. Collaboratively, I’m sitting with all you as we create a group cheer and lean on one another in our learning. No bullying allowed! August is ours!”-K.L. Hale

Have faith 💚

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched — they must be felt with the heart. 

Helen Keller

In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years. 

Abraham Lincoln

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. 

Dr. Seuss

“Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson
This song was shared with me yesterday and it hit such a special place in my heart ❤️ thank you, Martha, Bear, & Teddy

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84 thoughts on “August Assessment”

  2. Raw share, and I will mark my calendar with many prayers of God’s sovereign hand holding yours! You have such a quaint way of sharing. Keep on keeping the faith. God is the author of our life! Blessings friend ❣️🙏🏻❣️

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    1. Lisa, thank you. I hope you know that you are an inspiration to me. You faced your challenges head-on…you won. Your faith is strong! Your kind words and blessings are felt. I wish the same to you! 💛❤️💕

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      1. God has all power! “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit says the Lord”. God so has you! There is where I find the greatest comfort of all on any given day! As well we only have the moment we are in. Thank you for such kind words! You just keep your eyes on the prize, and God will walk you through your journey with courage and strength! Blessings ❣️❤️❣️🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻

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      2. Beautiful! You’re welcome, Lisa. 💛I rest in the promise for sure. He does require work on my behalf and I’m happy I’m exclusively HIS! Blessings to you and yours 💛💕💜

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  3. What a fabulous share Karla! You are keeping yourself so busy these days, it’s incredible.
    You got me beat! I could not keep with you! Well, just be sure you take some off for
    yourself, OK? It’s sort of important. We love so much dear heart, Eddie

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    1. Eddie, thank you! You should know…out of the hours I’ve spent sharpening my skills on this computer have not compared to the hours I’ve rested. I’m truly giving myself grace. I don’t buy into the narrative that we have to be productive in life 100%. But I sure know how I need to heal. I’ll use wisdom and discernment. I’m definitely taking time off and it felt so good to do something that used to be part of my normal. LOL. I’m staying homebound for the most part and escaping on days “off” to do just small things in nature or around me. Even just walking around a flea market! But oh, how I miss the trails. They’ll be waiting for me! Hugs and love!

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      2. Eddie, I’m overwhelmed by love. I hope to overwhelm others with love too! It’s going to be a wonderful weekend! I’m halfway through treatment! YOU have the best weekend too! 💛🤗

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  5. Ginger Salvatore

    Karla this is such an inspirational post for anyone struggling through anything. I love that you are so candid. So many people waste so much time beating around the bush.

    Yes indeed, the 30th will be a day of celebration for you and all those who care about you….and that’s a lotta people!

    I love the song and the quotes, especially Dr. Seuss! 🤗

    I didn’t know Finley has only three legs. My Murphy, an Australian Shepherd Mix (the mix being psychotic!) had to have her right rear leg amputated right after we rescued her at the shelter. She had lived for two years with a couple who were drug addicts and they abused her constantly. But that baby girl found love and safety with us. We got way more from her than we gave. Murphy was the only one who didn’t know she was missing a leg! Amazing.

    You will hike again Karla and take Finley on wonderful walks. My prayers and good thoughts remain with you.

    Ginger

    Sent from my iPad

    >

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    1. Ginger, your feedback is so precious and appreciated. And helpful! I enjoy reading your comments and what I learn from you. Murphy, Finn says hello. We are both sad about the abuse in her life, but happy she has you! I think Finn rescued me in many ways. I understand the love with Murphy. She and Finn never needed 4 legs! Thank you for the prayers, love, and support. I do look forward to a future hike. 💕💛

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  7. atimetoshare.me

    You light up my life, sweet lady. Your perseverance and courage are commendable and I can see all kinds of wisdom in your writing. Keep the faith as I know you are. We can gain strength from each other when we place our Hope in our God. Love you Karla.❤️

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    1. I love you too, Kathy. Your words are precious and encouraging. I pray to be writing when I’m your age~and pray for wisdom daily. I was so young when I accepted Christ. I was much older when I realized it was about a relationship with HIM; not religion. There’s power when we claim it and submit. I feel it in solitude, now with friends, but TONS in nature when I can breathe in and out his beauty. I’ll keep the faith and keep up with you and Paul the best I can. I pray for you both. 💛💕🙏🏻

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  10. You are my rock star Karla! I love you. It thrills me that you are not only doing all the things that need be done but you are allowing yourself time to rest and recover! That is so crucial, the body needs time to recoup, to not do anything, to just be. I’m holding you so tightly in prayer and staying so close to your sweet spirit it probably feels as if I’m crowding you. I am, and will continue to do so. The 30th will be our day! It’ll be a sweep! I appreciate you keeping us posted, finding the energy to order your words, and express your heart. You are amazing. Keep resting in the solid presence of love that surrounds you, keep pushing back on the forces inside that don’t belong, keep Karla rising to the top. Wrapping you in love and hugs as always my friend, xxoo, C

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    1. C…😭 a rock star! Wow! Thank you thank you. I hope this comes out right~what you see in me as a rock star feels like what I’m supposed to be doing~surviving! I’m going to need you to stay as a groupie (and no you’re not too close) to rally me when I don’t feel like playing or singing anymore! I feel like I’m in corner of the ring and you’re motivating me to get back out there and fight~but get back to rest up, too. My spirit is in it for the long haul as long as my body holds out for me. God has me. And the love from HIM, and all of my loved ones and friends, inspires me daily. I love you, C. Xoxo 💕❤️

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  11. A very beautiful and heartfelt post Karla, there is much love in your fields, full of flowers and nature and it comes through in your words. You don’t have to go far to hike in that love ❤️ All will go well so sending much energy for you both. And a couple of top up hugs as well xox 😀❤️🙏🏽

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    1. Lisa, I’m thankful for you. 💕I was looking at pics when I began a journey with you a 1 1/2 ago. 💜Your support, prayers, and love kept me moving forward. I’ll keep writing~I’ll be here more than on IG and I know you understand. I enjoy seeing the great things you are doing and experiencing. 🥰❤️🤗🙏🏻

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  14. Imagined I went to school with you today and asked to carry your back-pack along the way. 😘Always remember you are not alone, which I feel the song sang beautifully. His love surrounds you… in all faces and places, because YOU are LOVED. By so many, but most of all by Him. 😊 As always, Hugs….

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    1. Thank you for carrying it for me, Dawn! It was hurting my neck and back 😘🥰 it’s such a beautiful feeling knowing that I’m NEVER alone~YOU’RE never alone! When you get to that point, it’s NOT about independence. Actually it’s all about DEPENDENCE~I’m depending on a higher authority that can give me much more than I could ever imagine…peace. I’d rather be physically alone and have spiritual peace to be what GOD wants me to be then to conform to co-decency on that which takes me further away from being authentically and wholly whom God formed me to be. Sending love and hugs always. 💛🥰🤗

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      1. “I’d rather be physically alone and have spiritual peace to be what GOD wants me to be then to conform to co-decency on that which takes me further away from being authentically and wholly whom God formed me to be. “

        Wow! Beautiful, Karla…simply beautiful. 🥰

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      2. Aww, thank you Dawn. I see some errors…but YOU got the message! “Co-dependency” and “than” instead of “then” but who cares? The words still flowed straight from my heart. 💛 thank you, sweet Dawn.

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  15. Having cancer is like entering a tunnel. You can’t leave the tunnel. No turns, left or right. You can pick this lane or that, but really they are the same, but one is pink and the other, blue. Everyone is very nice to you, but you are in that tunnel until finally, you see light and you are suddenly not in the tunnel.

    It can be a long tunnel. Endless for some. I hope you find your way to the opening on the other side. In the meantime, it’s hard. I can’t tell you everything will be okay because I don’t know if that’s true. I do know that YOU are okay. You are doing the best you can in a very difficult time and that’s pretty much all any of us can do. Hang on in there. Sometimes, things get better than you expect. We are all old enough to see our end a lot closer than even our middle. Garry is 80 and when anyone dies, the first thing he looks for is how old they were. Younger or older? He finds both somehow encouraging. If they are younger, he say “Phew, we’re still here,” and if they were older, he says “I still have time left.” We all have our separate paths, but none run forever.

    Hugs and warmest regards to you.

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    1. I love this response, Marilyn. A tunnel. The light. What a beautiful connection. Some speak to me that there will be complete healing. I nod in agreement. NOT because I just believe that miracles happen. But because it’s a faith, with realism, that no matter what happens, I’m healed. I do expect good results. I understand about Garry reading the obituaries~the ages. I think I’m a miracle for still being here. I’m grateful for the gift of choice. I choose acceptance and feel I’m living in the best times of cancer research. Personally I see that stress, and MANY other silent killers, are ruining the livelihood of many humans. Three teenagers died in a car accident in our SW MO area last night. It halts my heart for a bit. I immediately think, “Speed?” Distraction?” Sadly, a cousin died this way years ago~tragically. I mention it only to share~mine is not a tragedy. It just is. My goal, aside from surviving/thriving, is to bring awareness to this rare cancer; if it just helps one, I’ll be happy! More are being diagnosed each year. Thank you so much your wisdom and support, Marilyn. I’m hugging back! 💛

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  16. You are an inspiration, my friend! I love the analogy you chose to voice your emotions. I am sending all the strength I have to you. If I can sit next to you in class, I will let you copy off my paper. Assuming you do not need an “A”. Much love, Karla!

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    1. Thank you, Brad! That’s so kind. 💕I giggled reading this! We don’t have to worry about copying now (I would definitely need my glasses to see your work~it’s so unique I’m a dead ringer for a cheater, lol), …we can do the work as partners! You go first, lol. Sending love and hugs back. YOU inspire me, too. 💛🤗

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  17. Good morning, sweet friend. You are an inspiration, if only I could express myself in words as you do. I will mark that important date of the 30th on my calendar. You are always in my prayers. God hears your heart cries and He will meet every need.
    Prayers, love and hugs 🙏🏻♥️🤗

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    1. Pam, you are so kind and sweet. Thank you so much for your uplifting words. I love your writing style. It makes my smile when I think there are people who “get” me. 😄 I know styles are so different and we all have preferences. But I truly have found the most likeminded souls, such as you, here in this community. Thank you for marking the 30th for prayers. It’s such a comfort. My parents are coming to see me. How fortunate and blessed am I that they are here? I hope you and Butch have an amazing weekend! Love and hugs! ❤️🤗🥰🙏🏻

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  18. I’m hoping your energy levels increase and your scan at the end of the month is all good news!! Prayers continue – for energy and joy and steadfastness!! Hugs to you and Finley! I’m working on a Monday Mochi post just to cheer you up!

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  20. I continue with daily prayer for you. My daughter is past chemo and radiation for a rare breast cancer and we also pray for good results with future testing. As I have learned over the years as a nurse things don’t end with treatment and my daughter has done wonderfully with the fact that she will face feelings every time she is tested. I pray about her having this to face this in her life but she is moving on. I think that you will also continue to move forward and I look forward to hear good results from testing.

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    1. Thank you for your beautiful response. 💛🙏🏻 I will be praying for your daughter, too. I’m sorry she is going through this. Thank you for your support. 💕🥰🙏🏻

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  21. Your writing is a testament to your positivity and I’m confident too with you in my daily prayers Karla~!
    love this!~.
    💖💖💖
    ” I’m “back to school” in so many ways. My learning will not stop. I’m shaking off the chalk dust each day after new learning. Some days I can’t get up from the desk. On other days I want field trips. Sometimes I put myself in the corner. I need the school nurse more than before. The counselor, too. I’m still cleaning up my halls and messes. I’m still eager. I’m throwing on my backpack of best practices. I’m sharpening my pencil to prepare positive notes.”

    Happy birthday to your sister and gradgirl Whitney.
    Hugs, love and light prayerfully and respectfully my dear friend! 💖💖🙏

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    1. Cindy, my apologies for the late reply! I just found this! It makes me smile to know you enjoyed this! Thank you for the birthday wishes too! I’m sorry I don’t get to your place more often, Cindy. I love your spirit and heart so much. It takes so much effort to even write anymore. And it seems I have to scroll and scroll to find people! I’ll be better!! Love and much hugs! 💛❤️🤗💕

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      1. I soooo loved it and you are an amazing writer and human being. you are a dear and I’m glad you enjoy my words.. that’s all that matters to me. it’s just time for you to receive right now!
        💖💖💖 love you my friend!💖

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      2. Thank you, Cindy. Your words mean more than you’ll ever know. It hit straight to something that had been stirring in my soul~receive. I love you too! 💛💕🥰❤️💜🤗 I think you’re an amazing writer too!

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      3. This truly made my night and elates me to no end. I will keep sending more of the above to help give your the reserve and energy to get you through this bump in the road. You are love and loved and I just got goosebumps by your words dear my friend. Oh thanks so much that means a lot to me too.
        💖💖💖💖🙏🙏🙏🙏💐

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    2. Cindy, I’m sorry I’m so late on this response! I’m just now seeing it. It means so much to me that you enjoy this and can relate! I just love your heart and soul. I must apologize for not making it to your place more often! It takes much energy just to write at times. I use my phone to read since I’m not at my computer a lot. I scroll through and try to respond, but don’t make it to everyone! When I use my gmail on my phone for those I follow, it will make me sometimes leave my name and then tell me my email isn’t valid? WP is such a quirky platform (like me!). Thank you for the birthday wishes. I’m sending you lots of hugs, prayers, and good thoughts! 💕🤗❤️

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      1. oh Karla… you never need to apologize my dearest. There are people i can’t follow for the exact same reason. I hate when they make you sign in. Don’t waste another breath. I’m just happy to see you my friend and keep preserving your energy my friend. That’s the main thing. It’s hard to keep up I sooooo know!!! 💖💖💖💖 keep getting well and thanks for the love and prayers. Back at you!
        💖

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  22. Karla, the song definitely added some rhythm to my day. As educators, we never completely retire. We still appreciate routine, discipline, learning, and what blessings lie just ahead. Praying to our Holy Father, He is watching, encouraging, and nurturing every step you make. His grace and peace shall bring healing.

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  25. I really like Brandi’s music, great song!
    Praying for the 30th! Praying for God to keep his arms wrapped around you giving you the strength and encouragement to keep pressing on! Love and Hugs Karla!!💕💕

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    1. Joy, thank you! They moved my scans to TOMORROW! I’ll know sooner than later. But no matter what, I know God has me! Thank you for the beautiful prayer. I DO feel him wrapping me in his arms. Love and hugs to you sweet Joy! 💕❤️💛🥰🙏🏻

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      3. Joy, thank you for sharing that. “I speak the name of Jesus over you!” I listen to this song daily my friend. I’m so glad we are listening together. Love and hugs my friend. 🙏🏻🙏🏻💕🥰🤗

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