April’s Anticipation

Posted on April 3, 2026July 11, 2026 by K.L. Hale — 76 Comments

What do you anticipate for April? My March was a whirlwind of hallways, ‘non-existent’ airport gates, and a ‘March Madness’ that had nothing to do with basketball. April’s Anticipation isn’t just about waiting for the next scan, season, or stage of life—it’s about expecting God to show up in the middle of it all!

D.C., Bethesda, & the NCI/NIH

Our hats were off to the professional NONPAID/OVERWORKED TSA workers. Everything went smoothly in Springfield. Kindness and respect were sprinkled all around too! The weather, and even hailing a taxi at Reagan, proved to be without issues! The history hovering the Potomac hit me differently this time. The blooms of the cherry blossoms, sweet driver, and little construction made for a pleasant drive to Bethesda, MD.

Our stay at the hotel is a story on its own. With its loose and aging wallpaper, a broken elevator that added an adventure (we were on the 5th floor), and quirky lamps that had their own character, the experience was quite memorable! We joked that Gremlins had come to play tricks on us before our arrival. The front desk attendant later brought us a TV remote, proudly announcing, “It doesn’t have a back on it, but it has new batteries!” Even though we didn’t plan to watch it, it brought a smile to our faces! Later, I found it amusing when the shower handle was loose and spun around as I searched for the perfect setting to enjoy hot water. I thought of the young man who sweetly said, “On behalf of BLANK, I’d like to apologize for everything.”

After a day of scans and blood draws at the Institute, we learned that storms in the Midwest would delay our connecting flight. A missed flight was anticipated! After a LONG call with United, our flight was rerouted. One more sleep and we would head home!

March Madness

Our departure day was filled with big-hearted goodbyes and blessings to the AMAZING people at the hotel and NIH. Even the shuttle ride to the airport was light-hearted. My body was tired, but my spirits were high when I saw the security line moving quickly. We didn’t even have to show our boarding pass (this is an essential part of the story). With TIME TO SPARE we decided to find our gate first and then enjoy a lunch. FINDING the gate was a problem. MANY steps (with another worker helping us) proved wasted when we realized that there was NO GATE C-19! Did you know two airports serve D.C.?

There was NO TIME to spare as I anticipated missing our next flight. The 40-minute taxi ride to Dulles airport proved to be a MIRACLE! More lessons learned, as I have come to expect!

Although we anticipated long lines, we were pleasantly surprised by short and swift-moving lines at the correct airport. We made it to our gate on time for loading!

The plane landed in Dallas several hours later. With anticipated time on our hands, it was suggested by a kind worker to take the monorail to terminal D. There would more choices for food! By the time we finished our meal, notifications from United Airlines were “dinging”. Our NEXT flight was delayed and we would miss our connecting flight by 20 minutes. What would YOU anticipate at this time?

After a ride back to the terminal, and miles of steps, we met an angel by the name of Shennel. Our flights were changed again–but in a miraculous and amazing way (tears and hugs for Shennel included!)!

It wasn’t anticipated, but our DIRECT flight home was with a different airline. We landed an hour earlier than our original flight. Totally unexpected!

A City’s Anticipation

The anticipation of an overthrown government provided the energy the people needed! “Hosanna!” (“Save Us!” in Hebrew) The crowd in Jerusalem might have expected a king on a warhorse. Jesus entered on a donkey–a King of peace. He didn’t revolt. From the tears in the Garden, betrayel, to the brutal beating and the cross, he offered Himself as a sacrifice.

It’s a reminder that my own expectations of how a season ‘should’ go often pale in comparison to how God chooses to work miracles in the middle of a mess! As I anticipate the celebration of the cross and Jesus’ ascension, I’m reminded that even when the plan seems to fall apart, the Resurrection proves that God is the Master of the unexpecting ending. Simply, He is Risen, He is reigning, and He is right in the middle of it ALL.

The Latest Reroute

Althought the trip had many unanticipated situations (including a change from the ORIGINAL trip dates), things happened that I did anticipate–meeting amazing people and experiencing miraculous moments! Thank you, dear friend/sister Barbara, for accompanying me on the adventerous trip! I’m anticipating a wonderful April!

The recovery from the trip and skin cancer excision surgery has taken longer than expected. Several follow-up appointments have resulted in a change of ~~flight schedules~~ treatment plans. On Monday, I’ll visit the surgical oncologist to begin scheduling internal radiation. That late afternoon I’ll begin monthly injections.

I’m SO thankful the liver is stable. However, the bone and lymph node progression must be treated. The bone mets impact my quality of life in tremendous ways. I anticipate future new treatments and options. The doctors on my team are fabulous and caring!

My journey with this chronic cancer often feels like that long walk to find a non-existent gate C-19–tiring, confusing, and filled with wasted steps. EVERY DETOUR led me EXACTLY where I needed to be. When asked how I stay positive or joyful, you can anticipate this consistent answer–“I’ll never base my outlook on circumstances–it will be based on the power of Christ IN ME.” I’m not JUST anticipating that things will be better LATER… in Heaven. I’m living with the joy and power of TODAY. It doesn’t mean that I won’t feel sad or experience heartbreak, confusion, or other emotions. It’s the anticipation of going to the Garden and meeting a Savior who understands it ALL.

We are ALL battling chronic… LIFE. Do you anticipate a feeling of hope and faith? Do you live with a sense of renewal and the promise of a God who is by your side through it all? May you anticipate and experience an April filled with good health, peace, and hope!

Friends, you are SO LOVED. ❣️ Happy Resurrection Weekend!

K.L. Hale

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Optimistic October

Posted on October 2, 2025October 2, 2025 by K.L. Hale — 98 Comments

September was slippery and swift. Schools, students, and sickness. Reunions, rest, and reflection. My optimism hasn’t surrendered.

Welcome, October!

“Yet, I can face the winter with calm. I suppose I had forgotten what it was really like. I had been thinking of the winter as a horrid wet, dreary time fit only for professional football. Now I can see other things—crisp and sparkling days, long pleasant evenings, cheery fires. Good work shall be done this winter. Life shall be lived well. The end of the summer is not the end of the world. Here’s to October.”
A.A. Milne, “A Word for Autumn”

Sweet Surprise

She knew I was coming to stay. Picking her up from school with her Dad was a surprise! “Grammy K!” Her precious tiny voice boomed as she was escorted out of the building. Grasped in her tiny fingers was a picture she had started for me. Her sweet 5-year-old voice excitedly shared her day. Cloud Nine isn’t high enough to describe how I felt. Elated? Elevated? It was pure heavenly. Talk about optimism!

Hours later she was tumbling, balancing, stretching, and swinging at gymnastics! It was pure joy to soak in the end of September with this doll. The trips to and from school were a delight! You know how I love schools so imagine my love for HER combined with the school! How will October top that? Like always, I’m optimistic.

Seasonal Social

Liberty, Missouri put on quite a show. The heat showed up with thousands of others. It was the quintessential heart of America hometown parade. Whitley and I found a spot to sit “criss cross applesauce” on the street. Floats with singers, preachers, police officers, and pets. Marching bands, football teams, and more dance squads than one could count. Sweat was rolling like the candy being thrown. The swing ride was a perfect way to cool off!

SKILLED SPECIALIST

There were years of pain and unknowns B.C. (before cancer). It’s been 3 years A.D. (after diagnosis) and they’ve been filled with…SO MUCH (including love & laughter). Could they tell what I was thinking in the back seat? Did they know what this meant to me? This wasn’t just a 30-minute trip into the heart of K.C. to see my new cancer specialist. It was a life-long trip within the heart of me.

The man driving me to St. Luke’s was my 2nd newborn whom I held with pride decades ago. My heart thought of his older brother working in Japan. Memories of yesteryear hurried through my head like the 70 mph speed limit. From his birth to meeting my precious daughter-in-love riding shotgun. Their lives, moves, and the birth of their baby. My precious granddaughter. Suddenly, I was in Alaska again with my other amazing “baby boy”, daughter-in-love, and two little grands. Before we ever got near the railroad tracks where he works, tears flowed like the Missouri River.

You see, this wasn’t JUST a drive to an appointment. It represented everything good about life and the passage of time. That 30-minute drive reminded me of how 30 minutes in the past was the difference between life and death, a diagnosis and good health, a good decision and a poor choice, unemployment and a new career, walking to barely crawling, fully awake to sound asleep. Life can turn on a dime in 30 minutes (or LESS!).

The team at St. Luke’s met us with kindness, professionalism, empathy, and humor. The doctor’s gentle manner and expertise was realized right away. We shared tears when the word “hope” was highlighted as he showed the “kids” the new liver lesions that had returned. HOPE. You know how much hope I already have (and how I throw it all around like falling leaves and glitter!).

What’s ahead? Another treatment here (and blood draw) next week to help strengthen bones. I’ll head back to Kansas City the end of October for scans. It’s not strange to me that I DON’T have “scanxiety”. When a statement like “this is a marathon, not a sprint” is repeated consistently it sticks! You know what else is sticking? My faith, resilience, and utter relief in the Holy Spirit and my Savior.

So, September ended up pretty sticky. Sticky hot, stick-with-it attitude, and a bit of a sticky sickly feeling from traveling. Guess what else is sticky? My faith, resilience, and utter relief in the Holy Spirit and my Savior. If YOU find it, know it, live it, and relish in it, there’s nothing that can undo it! It’s best to stick with it for it’s a power that’s unexplainable, undeniable, and also, my lifelong love story. There’s nothing else for me to BE in October but…optimistic!

Friends, thank you for your patience as I navigate my journey. Between appointments, daily tasks, and inconsistency in health, I sometimes struggle to keep up in communication. Do you know how much you mean to me? Even more, do you know how LOVED YOU ARE? If you or a loved one suffers from a chronic illness, cancer, or any disease that impacts your livelihood, please reach out for help. YOU do NOT need to suffer! We have a Savior that redeemed us! The great exchange! The sinless Savior died for us that continue to be messy humans. His righteousness died for our unrighteousness! I’m not talking religion–I’m speaking about a relationship. Ah, the great surrender.

THAT is the reason I plan on having an OPTIMISTIC OCTOBER.

Have hope. Find faith. YOU ARE LOVED. 💚

Embracing imperfection with faith, flannel, & fresh air

K.L. Hale

Follow-Up Fable🦓

Posted on November 23, 2024January 26, 2025 by K.L. Hale — 84 Comments

The trio (Zeb, Kristy, and I) were thrilled. 
My follow-ups were fast and faith-filled. 
A rescheduled flight, one-stop, then D.C.  
The Institute welcomes rare humanity. 

Two scans, scores of blood draws, 
and a sticky I.V. 
Fasting and waiting, 
dreams of driving an R.V. 

Two “Hales” were called
 we stood to take a look.
Another “Hale” but a male?
That’s one for the books! 

Doctors and researchers
 from across the world, 
my tears of gratitude,
 when my story was heard.

My liver and pancreas
 look as good as they should!
The nuances of this cancer 
can be misunderstood. 

A few growing lymph nodes 
and bones need a scan.
Two new mutations 
will be met with a plan.  

A follow-up at home
and a shift in the seasons.
My heart bleeds for others 
As I ponder the reasons. 

Maintenance helps symptoms,
New meds or monthly shots?
I don’t take this for granted,
I'll give it all that I’ve got. 

We're not promised tomorrow 
or a life without pain.  
Wisdom, growth, love, and RARE
are life-altering to gain. 

"Unlike me," Zeb said,
life's not always black and white.
But God made us all unique
and precious in his sight." 


K.L. Hale

The National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health is in Bethesda, Maryland. As the nation’s leading federal agency for cancer research, NCI has 30 divisions, offices, and centers that work together to build, maintain, and enhance a cohesive and comprehensive cancer research agenda. Their work ranges from cutting-edge research on cancer causes, treatment, and prevention; to training the next generation of cancer researchers; to funding and supporting the nation’s vast network of scientists and cancer research institutions; to informing and educating the American public and the world about cancer. (cancer.gov). A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Jonathan Hernandez and Dr. Jaydira Del Rivero. Their expertise and research have and are extending and enriching lives–just like mine! When my mind starts questioning or thinking, “How did I (a middle-aged woman from Missouri) access help from THERE?” I smile and say, “Thank you, God,” for it’s surreal!

Keep the faith-have heart. ❣️🦓 Do you know how loved you are?

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Embracing imperfection with faith, flannel, & fresh air

K.L. Hale

Long-Awaited Launch

Posted on September 28, 2021September 28, 2021 by K.L. Hale — 40 Comments

Are you awaiting a launch? A new career? Motherhood? Fatherhood? Relationships? A new season in your life? New technology? At the beginning of the year, I planned a launch date. It is here.

While in Alaska I stepped into a cardboard “boat” with my little grandson. I’d sing, “We’re sailing, we’re sailing, we’re sailing on the water! What do you see captain?” His little body would stand with his hand planted ever so cutely on his forehead, “I see a dog,” he’d say in his precious 2-year-old voice. He was excited to launch…everyday! As I gazed at his tiny newborn sister, I thought of the world that they, along with their sweet cousin in Washington, will experience; so much launching ahead. During my trip I experienced my first “tiny” earthquake rumble, a mere glimpse of the Northern Lights, plenty of moose, and a beautiful fall that quickly turned to winter. It has been more than a year since visiting Washington and seeing my precious loves there. Yet, as majestic as the scenery, nothing can hold a candle to the sight of all of them. Nothing.