All that mattered was the dirt and a few toys. With happy tears, my mind drifted to two decades ago – little boys, few toys, dirt, gravel, nature, and a camper. Slipping further back, I fell into a trance of simpler times. Grandma’s garden, rivers and floating, dirt on a field, and face-to-face visits. Digging up dirt didn’t apply to judgment, daily scrolling, and comparisons. Staying grounded keeps me growing.

Little toes they only know,
The simple joys as they grow.
Digging dirt and catching bugs,
Growing minds accepting hugs.

Tears of joy run down my face,
Feeling the peace in this space.
Oh, what a beautiful stage and age,
Time moves fast and turns the page.

Hold on to moments in the dirt,
Life’s not easy, you’ll experience hurt.
Grow in kindness and accept the love.
From family, friends, and up above.
K.L. Hale

Instead of digging up dirt on someone or something that doesn’t help us grow, can we remember the simple things that we should know? Kindness, forgiveness, and times to play, instead of comparing, miscommunicating, and pushing others away? The dings, the noise, and all the distractions hijack us from our main attractions.

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Do you allow others to fill your plate on things in which you can’t relate? Does forced congestion stop your digestion?

I have always believed that a good laugh was good for both the mental and physical digestion.

Abraham Lincoln

Friends, how’s your digestion? There’s much to digest these days! The things most easy for my system are family celebrations, visits, and special times. Holidays, events, and day-to-day… add doctor’s visits it’s just my way. Each morning I begin my day in quiet time with my Heavenly Father. Without this time my digestion would struggle more. Too much of a worldly diet creates a blockage. And if you suffer in any way, literally or spiritually, you know exactly what I mean.

To my diet, I added laughter and a celebration of another year! My twin and I shared laughs and memories. Yesterday I celebrated differently. It was time to ground myself again. In a world where I’d rather not have attention, be like any leaf on a tree, I escaped to my happy place. A quarter of a mile was mud, fallen limbs, thick brush, and a tight trail. There were obstacles to maneuver. Like a limb on my head, this thought hit me, “The obstacles I’m climbing in my day-to-day have been practiced for years. My walks have shortened, but I’m prepared for this marathon.”

My dear friend Martha shared something that I’ll not forget, “We mourn ourselves because we are also the things we love and the things we do.” She shared many other words of wisdom including, “Pangs of nostalgia, the recognition of permanent changes in our lives as a result of something we could never control or choose, are hard. They are (I think) emblematic of a heartbreak we don’t want to look at because there’s no point and we have to live in our present moment, but they are still here.” I’m still digesting these beautiful words. I have decisions to make.

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Have you heard of NET, yet?🦓

Last Wednesday during ZOOM time, with my friends from the LACNETS virtual support group, I sat astonished by this amazing group of humans (just like you, the reader!). Samuel swims in a beautiful lake, Susan tends to her amazing garden, Brent helped a historical magnificent church organ, Margo sculpts the angelic faces of Alzheimer’s patients, Ashley woodturns and helps Veterans, Neil has bonding time with his son and sports, Denny loves photography in nature, Cindy supports and attends semipro women’s soccer games, Cynthia “roars” as she did as a H.S. mascot in ’74, Judy brings FB hope to others, Beth makes quilts for her grandkids, Nora introduced us to her daughter at college, Jan was traveling to see her astronaut brother who has set a record for NASA https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_L._Ross#:~:text=Ross,-Article%20Talk&text=Jerry%20Lynn%20Ross%20(born%20January,with%20Franklin%20Chang%2DDiaz)., Dorinda knits for gratitude, Vera uses finger puppets for the grandkids on FB Portal, Richard grows roses and has beautiful African baskets called “wishing baskets” from their visits there, Brenda has a graduate and a future student of the U of A (Roll Tide), Heather makes photo books, Betty has led an active life in Minnesota and her two sons bring much joy (and one living with her now), and Lisa’s dog enjoyed the snow and she stays active leading our weekly group and supporting her husband, with NET cancer. This group inspires me. 💕 lacnets.org

Last week’s blood draw revealed the good news that my blood is headed in the right direction. They’re not perfect, but I celebrate growth! I have decisions to make. I’ve asked several, “What would you do?” It’s quality of life over quantity. Do I continue knowing how much worse it might get? Is 3 out of 4 enough to stabilize and slow down progression without causing another secondary cancer in the blood?

Dirt, digestion, and decisions. I’ll keep myself grounded. I’ll digest the good things and not stuff myself with stigma. The best decision I can make is to take one hour at a time, one day at a time. I decided many years ago to follow WHO holds my tomorrow. What have you decided?

• Meaningful Maintenance
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• Stifling Start
• Ideal Independence
• Living Liberated

Flannel with Faith

Embracing imperfection with faith, flannel, & fresh air