tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24625771683875717152024-03-13T10:41:24.209-07:00Here I AmShelly Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858416027459796315noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462577168387571715.post-17190005284563772082019-06-08T10:28:00.000-07:002019-06-08T10:28:00.979-07:00Prodigal BloggerTime.<br />
<br />
It's 2019, June 8th, Saturday, almost noon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t04ps7WQO5g/XPvvaUCrzLI/AAAAAAAAANA/N-UHWY1Hol05BXOP4ASVMQtHm86TYxScwCLcBGAs/s1600/378993_2595676366241_815561628_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="90" data-original-width="136" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t04ps7WQO5g/XPvvaUCrzLI/AAAAAAAAANA/N-UHWY1Hol05BXOP4ASVMQtHm86TYxScwCLcBGAs/s1600/378993_2595676366241_815561628_n.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Sweet Ray continues to enthusiastically suggest ways to get me out of the house. For some reason, I'm resisting the trip to a garage sale and running errands to Sam's. This feels more like a hidey-hole day, a day where I surround myself with quiet and mindful distractions like reading, updating my replacement iPhone, and, of course, blogging.<br />
<br />
All of a sudden, I have this gift of time. Well, it's more of an illusory gift. It seems to be here, but while I "wile away the hours" other deadlines will eventually grow more obvious. But for now... time.<br />
<br />
Retirement. I've recently, like eleven days ago, retired. Not actually retired like I'm not going to ever work again. I've retired from teaching in the classroom... from a job I thought I would enjoy for the rest of my life. There is so much to say about that. Too much for this first blog back. But I mention it now, because the time I'm wallowing in right now, is also about identity. Not exactly, <i>who am I</i> now? But more like, <i>who I am</i> and <i>who I think you think I am </i>are part of this fluid movement, and isn't this interesting?<br />
<br />
It's been over four years since last I blogged. And it had been over two years before that. Still, I have eleven followers. And four check-ins to my Blog in the last month. It can only be up from here.<br />
<br />
Paidrig O'Tauma, one of my favorite poets and interviewee on Onbeing.org, said (I think he was quoting someone else),<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Here is a powerful stranger." </blockquote>
Well, Here I Am. Just me and this powerful stranger. And now you. You are here too.<br />
<br />
Welcome.Shelly Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858416027459796315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462577168387571715.post-53161088190376315932015-05-25T11:42:00.000-07:002015-05-25T11:55:19.131-07:00Superman - A Letter to Jacob on Graduation Day<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_QJz1AKyyGE/VWNrej-Zg9I/AAAAAAAAAHk/V58pvZmJ83M/s1600/Jacob%2B3yrs%2Bold.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_QJz1AKyyGE/VWNrej-Zg9I/AAAAAAAAAHk/V58pvZmJ83M/s320/Jacob%2B3yrs%2Bold.png" width="226" /></a></div>
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>390</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2228</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Home</o:Company>
<o:Lines>18</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2613</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1028"/>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1"/>
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dear
Jacob,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600"
o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f"
stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_2" o:spid="_x0000_s1027" type="#_x0000_t75"
style='position:absolute;margin-left:342pt;margin-top:1.4pt;width:168.55pt;
height:238.3pt;z-index:251659264;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;
mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;
mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;
mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
<v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/shellyunsicker/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0clip_image001.png"
o:title=""/>
<w:wrap type="square"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> You were three years old. I sat at our breakfast table,
sorting through a stack of bills, a basket of towels nearby waiting to be
folded and put away. And you wanted to play. Feeling pressed for time, I
grabbed a big blue towel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Here, I know what you can do.” Draping the towel
so it fell around your shoulders, I tied a thick, clumsy knot. “Now go in the
backyard and fly around like Superman!” With a spark in your eyes and a grin
from ear to ear, off you ran. It seemed like you were already flying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Five minutes later, you were back by my
side. “Mommy, Mommy. It’s not right.” Thinking the towel was too tight, I
adjusted the knot, loosening the fit around your neck. “There you go!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> But five minutes later…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> “Mommy, Mommy. It’s still not right.”
Your brow was seriously furrowed, your brown, eyes intense. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14.0pt;">After studying your pretend Superman cape, I
decided the way it fell horizontally was all wrong. Retying the towel so the
vertical length could fall behind would give the towel-cape a better flow,
making it feel more like a real cape. “There you go, Jacob. That should work
now.” Honestly, it did look much better. Off you ran for the third time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14.0pt;">And for the third time, you ran back, tears in
your eyes and completely frustrated. “Mommy, Mommy. No matter what I do, I just
can’t fly!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Then it donned on me. You, literally, expected to
fly. You trusted my advice and believed you would really be able to fly around
like Superman, just because I said so. That spark in your eyes, as I tied that
blue towel around your shoulders – that spark was full of possibility,
imagination, and hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This sweet memory of your little boy self – your
pure innocence and enthusiasm contrasted with the disappointment that you could
not really fly and that Mommy couldn’t fix everything – captures so much. I
think that’s the dance of life, a constant to and fro movement, from our hopes
and dreams to dealing with our disappointments and challenges. Step forward,
step back, and turn around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lxVOcLbxLbA/VWNragWo6WI/AAAAAAAAAHc/zjjfqoS-Yfc/s1600/IMG_00085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lxVOcLbxLbA/VWNragWo6WI/AAAAAAAAAHc/zjjfqoS-Yfc/s320/IMG_00085.jpg" width="155" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14.0pt;">For nearly nineteen years we’ve danced with life
just like that. And you have filled my heart with lessons, love, and such joy.
There is not one thing I would change. To spare you the disappointment would be
to rob you of the wisdom, compassion, and joy you share, now, so generously
with others. I could not be more proud of you. No matter what life brings,
Sweet Boy, my prayer is that you will keep turning back to that spark of
possibility, imagination, and hope. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Congratulations! Happy Graduation Day!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 3.5in;">
<!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_3"
o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" style='position:absolute;left:0;
text-align:left;margin-left:0;margin-top:9.65pt;width:161.75pt;height:332.05pt;
z-index:251660288;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;
mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;
mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;
mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;
mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;
mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
<v:imagedata src="file://localhost/Users/shellyunsicker/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0clip_image003.png"
o:title=""/>
<w:wrap type="square"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I love you forever,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 3.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Apple Chancery"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mom</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Apple Chancery'; font-size: 14pt;">P.S. Now that you’re old enough to understand
metaphor… Go and Fly!</span><span style="font-family: 'Apple Chancery'; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Shelly Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858416027459796315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462577168387571715.post-89798102205876597382014-11-27T10:56:00.002-08:002014-11-27T10:56:41.096-08:00Thank you, God, for Connections and Prayer<br />
<div class="MsoQuote" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><img alt="" height="200" id="irc_mi" src="http://media.npr.org/assets/bakertaylor/covers/h/help-thanks-wow/9781594631290_custom-cb4cb43b6689f4aec7878a3cbf3fb106f54a51dc-s99-c85.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" title="" width="112" /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoQuote">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So prayer is our sometimes real selves trying to communicate
with the Real, with Truth, with the Light. It is us reaching out to be heard,
hoping to be found by a light and warmth in the world, instead of darkness and
cold. […] Light reveals us to ourselves, which is not always so great if you
find yourself in a big disgusting mess, possibly of your own creation. Light
warms, and in most cases it draws us to itself. And in this light, we can see
beyond shadow and illusion to something beyond our modest receptors, to what is
way beyond us, and deep inside (Lamott, 7).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">B</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">egin with a significant passage, words
that seem to jump out and speak to you. The words may seem important, but they
may also be reaching into your own thoughts lying deep within, just waiting to
be explored and brought into the light. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I chose the passage above because I
am reading Anne Lamott’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Help. Thanks.
Wow.</i> and I thought it would be a good idea to practice what I ask my own
students to do. I ask them to make connections with the books they are reading.
And I ask them to make connections for many reasons – because it seems to make
writing and reading more meaningful, because it’s like discovering your own
thoughts and your own voice, because it helps me and other readers – even struggling
readers – to engage their brains in an activity they may not have known they
could do. Making connections makes literacy meaningful. It deepens understanding
and helps us make meaning, not only from the text, but, even more importantly,
out of our own life experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Anne Lamott’s search for and
explanation of prayer reminds me of my own search for a spiritual and prayerful
life. This is a journey that continues today. Even after 52 years I find myself
yearning for more, searching for truth, and bumbling my way along in my
religion and faith. I know a lot of prayers, but the ones that bring me closest
to feeling God’s presence are the ones when I’m just being myself and speaking
or writing my heart’s truth. At first, that mostly happened when I found myself
in catastrophe and felt desperate for a quick and easy rescue. I’ve cried,
“Help me,” throughout all my life trials: at endings when I wasn’t ready to let
go, at beginnings where I was afraid to start, and in middles where I found
myself lost, depressed, or tired. In my letters to God, I’ve made lists of my
heart’s desire as I tried to imagine a better life. I’ve poured out my feelings
too. And sometimes, I imagined God’s words writing back to me. He always
reminds me how much I am loved and that everything is going to be okay. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Eventually, my letters of prayer
included lists of gratitude – of what I was thankful for. Today, on my 52<sup>nd</sup>
Thanksgiving Day, I am grateful for my sweet husband, my children and family
and friends, my colleagues and students and the cool and meaningful work we get
to do together, my faith, church family and Father Jack, for getting to travel
to D.C., be a presenter and attend fabulous presentations and think more deeply
about the work I love, and for three particular students, who have found
writing about life a meaningful way to make sense of it. They keep sharing
their poems and blogs with me and encourage me to do the same. Thank you
Chrysta, K. J., and Mela. Here I am, writing again. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>So what about the significant passage
above? I could wax on and on about my connection, but it’s only complete when I
come back to the text and wonder, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">SO WHAT</i>?
What is the author trying to say about universal truth or meaning that could
impact all readers? At this point, I’m only a third of the way through, so I
will make a prediction about the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">SO WHAT</i>.
I think Lamott’s message will be that prayer is a simple and sometimes scary
way to slow down, be in the moment, and take a good look at ourselves in the
light of God’s love. Prayer challenges us to see beyond the crazy belief
systems we may have been brought up with, especially when those belief systems
dumped a lot of shame. Prayer is a way to be honest about our own behavior and
part in things. But prayer is also a way to bask in God’s love and learn to
treat ourselves with gentleness and kindness as we continue to bumble along our
faith journeys. The more I treat myself that way, the easier it is for me to be
gentle and kind to the souls I bump into along the way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In closing, I leave you with another
significant passage. In speaking of prayer, Lamott writes, “If I were going to
begin practicing the presence of God for the first time today, it would help to
begin by admitting the three most terrible truths of our existence: that we are
so ruined, and so loved, and in charge of so little” (27). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank
you, God, for the gift of connections and prayer. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>721</o:Words>
<o:Characters>4113</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Home</o:Company>
<o:Lines>34</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>9</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4825</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div style="border-top: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 0in 0in 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Lamott, Anne. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Help. Thanks. Wow.</i> 2012. New York: Penguin Group. Print<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Shelly Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858416027459796315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462577168387571715.post-78424734419908323842013-01-26T11:44:00.000-08:002013-01-26T15:42:54.670-08:00A Poem for my Mama<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>118</o:Words>
<o:Characters>676</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Home</o:Company>
<o:Lines>5</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>793</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mama<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gHimKbtw2yE/UQQwQmjRdmI/AAAAAAAAADU/2q6rhfj3T5s/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gHimKbtw2yE/UQQwQmjRdmI/AAAAAAAAADU/2q6rhfj3T5s/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">This
morning I closed my eyes <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">breathed in
deeply<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">and
searched.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">I searched
for that piece of me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">of who I
really am,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">how I began<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">to breathe,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">to love,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">I
remembered joy,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"> smiling from ear to ear,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"> and you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">I
remembered you, Mama,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"> sharing with me the wonder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"> of snow made into ice cream<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"> a thin book of mud pies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"> and coloring a tree<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"> with me, side by side - <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3gH1f_aXTj8/UQQxhyfeqWI/AAAAAAAAADk/2Kq3WdsdEfs/s1600/mom_me_la.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3gH1f_aXTj8/UQQxhyfeqWI/AAAAAAAAADk/2Kq3WdsdEfs/s200/mom_me_la.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">my mama and
me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">just being <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">And I
remember a Saturday night <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">in the
house on Kenyon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">just you
and me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">some late night movie
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">playing in black and white<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">and me brushing your hair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">I marveled
at my pretty mama<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">and you
laughed <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">because you
had no make-up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">I didn’t
understand<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">how you
could not know <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">you’re
beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">You are<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;"> still<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">beautiful<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">and such a
part of me,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">how I began,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt;">and who I
will always be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Shelly Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858416027459796315noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462577168387571715.post-84683637272116514402012-10-13T10:30:00.002-07:002012-10-13T10:49:27.974-07:00Existing "More Than I Did Four Months Ago"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>616</o:Words>
<o:Characters>3515</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Home</o:Company>
<o:Lines>29</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>8</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>4123</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/wysiwyg/image/squirrel_by_runner_jenny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="168" src="http://www.examiner.com/images/blog/wysiwyg/image/squirrel_by_runner_jenny.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I have just finished the first section,
“Italy,” in Elizabeth Gilbert’s memoir, <u>Eat, Pray, Love</u>. I feel a
connection between the main character, Liz, and my own life. She’s a published
writer; I’m a want-to-be-published writer. She experienced depression before,
during, and after her divorce; so did I. She is a seeker, searching for
healing, faith devotion, and authentic love; me too! One of my favorite lines
so far – and the lines that struck a chord of connection for me – comes at the
end of the Italy section: “The easiest, most fundamentally human way to say it
is that I have put on weight. I exist more than I did four months ago.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">In her travels, Liz Gilbert has just finished
the first leg of her year long journey: four months in Italy, four months in
India, four months in Indonesia. In Italy, she gained back weight lost in the
years of divorce and depression, and then added a few more as she allowed
herself the pleasures of eating, making friends, and learning to speak Italian.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I am like Liz. At the end of my four rounds of
chemo, “…I have put on weight.” I too “… exist more than I did four months
ago.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And like Liz, I just finished the first leg of
my own, year long journey. My healing has been different – and almost opposite
of the emotional healing she found in Italy. My healing from breast cancer has
been more like a tearing apart – more like a divorce as a surgeon tore out
cancer cells and an oncologist has sought to destroy any that might have
remained, hidden somewhere in my body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">During the past four months I have been more in
problem-solving mode and less in deep search of my self. I learned that
“chemo-brain” is real as I have been unable to focus on quiet things like
writing and making deep connections. Even my prayers have been more like bursts
of fireworks than basking in the quiet presence of my Higher Power. My brain
has been like a squirrel on steroids, hopping from tree to tree in search of
sustenance, more like the squirrels in my parents’ backyard, taking time to
tease and torment dogs – other creatures of God to be sure, but creatures who
appear to think so differently from the squirrel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I have spent my squirrel-ier days hopping from
task to task: lesson planning, grading, and learning about my students within
bursts of hanging up their pictures and artwork. (Teaching really is the
perfect job for the A.D.D. brain, as we are constantly required to flit from
task to task.) Reading one book at a time, however, has been a greater struggle.
So has the mountain of paperwork I’ve collected to turn into insurance. Yet,
I’ve been able to play those crazy word games with friends, text message, keep
up with politics, and post messages that reveal my liberalism and irritate my
conservative friends. In that way, I’m like the squirrel, flitting and flying
with possibility while incessantly claiming to my more <i>grounded</i> friends that they must be wrong and cannot see as clearly
from their fenced in perspective.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It is in the quiet and white space of a Sunday
afternoon that I know more deeply that my political posts and yipping will not
bring us closer to a genuine understanding of each other’s perspectives. It’s
like we are playing football politics right now. And it makes me sad. I sense
that we have lost credibility with one another – that our minds might be
permanently closed to the ideas represented by the “other side.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Nonetheless, I’m grateful to be able to put
this feeling into words. My mind and ability to focus are returning to me.
Being able to sit quietly with this thought and challenge – gives me hope that
a solution will arrive one day, walking up to open the door that, at present,
stands closed between us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Liz, from <u>Eat, Pray, Love</u>, will continue
her healing, but now, I predict, in a spiritual way – as she learns more about
a voice that speaks with her in her most despairing moments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">As my mind and focus return to me, I hope and
pray in the coming weeks of radiation and physical healing from the chemo, that
I too will be better able to hear that voice. The voice that speaks to me of
love, healing, guidance, and goodness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Shelly Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858416027459796315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462577168387571715.post-270900919313708082012-10-07T17:31:00.000-07:002012-10-07T17:32:01.331-07:00Day 81 out of 84<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>407</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2322</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Home</o:Company>
<o:Lines>19</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>5</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2724</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>14.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sguxm4zvM-c/UHIeCj3IS2I/AAAAAAAAADA/RLUOEoTf47c/s1600/IMG_3060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sguxm4zvM-c/UHIeCj3IS2I/AAAAAAAAADA/RLUOEoTf47c/s320/IMG_3060.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today is October 7, 2012 – Day 81 out of 84 days of
poisoning my body so I might live. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span>
The last time I posted, I believe was just after Day 1. I had hair then, was a
little afraid, but highly optimistic. And I weighed about 12 pounds less than
what I way right now. What happened? Chemo brain, school began, and I kept waiting to catch-up... <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Quick Summary: I’m through with chemo treatments. Beginning
Thursday, my body is through with Taxotere and Cytoxin, the poisons that cause
the acid reflux, nausea, hair loss, fatigue, and chemo brain. It was dreadful, awful, and by the grace of
God and loving family and friends… I have made it through. I almost feel guilty
for complaining – I only had 4 chemo treatments; most of the people I know who
have had to endure chemo, had a minimum of 8 treatments – some, much, much more. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If I knew I had 4 or more chemo treatments to go…. I’d be
tempted to give in and give up. But for now, being so close to the end, I feel
relief – the kind of relief that allows me to finally shed tears, a few at a
time… and mostly they are tears of gratitude. I’m not afraid anymore. I no longer feel the need to be strong for those around me. We are through the roughest
waters of this journey.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Beginning in a week or so… I will have 34 radiation treatments
focusing on my right breast – the same one where Dr. Talbert performed the
lumpectomy. Dr. Toma, my oncologist, cautions me about expecting too much of
myself too fast – I might have mentioned that I hoped my hair would grow back
and I’d lose the 12 pounds I’ve gained by next week or next month… and that I’d
be able to finish writing that darn thesis. She looked at me with all
seriousness and said, “No.” It could take anywhere from 6 months to a year, to
be back to myself. Ha! I replied inside my own head so she couldn’t hear me.
She doesn’t know what an overachiever I am. Which is ironic for those of you
who know me – because I’m also a procrastinator. How does that happen?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyways, by Christmas I’ll be done with radiation. This
Thursday, I see Dr. Toma and begin taking bigger doses of Herceptin (that
miracle drug that will ensure the cancer doesn’t return). I have to have a
heart scan on October 18 to make sure Herceptin isn’t causing heart damage.
Pretty sure that’s not happening, but prayers and positive thinking and light
would still be appreciated.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Signing off for now. Keeping it short (I had intended to
write what I wrote in my Writer’s Notebook this morning… but maybe next time).
Thanks for asking about me, caring about me, wondering if I was ever going to
post an update… And thanks Mindie and Kathy for encouraging me to write again!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love to all my fans!
(LOL!) And to all those who put
up with me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Shelly<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Shelly Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858416027459796315noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462577168387571715.post-47300920543484605922012-07-30T11:48:00.002-07:002012-07-30T11:48:55.189-07:00Delayed in Posting<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>394</o:Words>
<o:Characters>2247</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Home</o:Company>
<o:Lines>18</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>2759</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faaZisdddJU/UBbU6ez3cpI/AAAAAAAAACw/cjpv2dXIMOU/s1600/IMG_2816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faaZisdddJU/UBbU6ez3cpI/AAAAAAAAACw/cjpv2dXIMOU/s320/IMG_2816.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn’t write for awhile, just because I was waiting for
the next thing to happen. Then so much happened at once, I didn’t know where to
start, and once Chemo kicked in, challenges overwhelmed me. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For today, I will catch you up. Then I will write about my
many, many gratitudes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
4 Chemo Treatments x 21 day cycles = 84 days.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today I’m on day 12 of my first Chemo treatment cycle. I’m
over half way through. Yeah! And I think it was on day 11 that I realized the
biggest challenge gripping me was fear. Like on Days 6 and 7, I began to think
the remaining 74 days would be just like that and I would not be able to work. I was
ready to call my school and let them know I’d be in sometime in October and not
a day before. Today, I feel much differently. Hopefully, I’ve experienced the
worst and survived. Unless each chemo treatment gets progressively worse. But
so far, my cancer/chemo buddies, tell me the first treatment is the roughest.
So I’m going with that.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The two greatest challenges for me this first time – other
than fatigue – were nausea and acid reflux (which completely aggravated the
nausea). I felt like I was rotting from the inside out. And the smell of my
body reminded me of the old people in my childhood. Perhaps that’s atrophy –
our bodies stop making fast growing cells and begin to die? I dunno, but that
was part of my thinking. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first three days weren’t so bad. Emend, is the
anti-nausea med I took for the first 3 days. My back-up after that was Ativan and
Phenergan, but they made me sleepy. So on Day 4, after church, I went home and
slept the day away. That’s kinda what happened on Monday and Tuesday – which
was disappointing because I was counting on those as back-to-work days.
Finally, on Day 6, I called the Dr’s office and asked what to do about the
Nausea and acid reflux – the original plan was not working.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New meds and new plan. By Day 8, I was
feeling much better. Still very tired, but so much better than before. I will
be able to continue working. I’m hoping to take 2 to 3 days off at the
beginning of each chemo cycle, but that will only be twice, once students
return to school.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m very fortunate and blessed. I know so many who have had
to endure so much more. Even on my bad days, I knew 84 of them would be my
maximum. So I give thanks for my healing and brief suffering. And my heart goes
out to all those whose suffering overwhelms them. May they be comforted and
surrounded with the blessings of friends, family, and hope.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So… Chemo Treatment One, included my sweet husband, see picture above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had planned to fix my hair, while I
still had hair to fix, but our electricity went out that morning. So we both
wore pink hats, courtesy of Cathey Klasek. I think we look kinda cute! <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Shelly Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858416027459796315noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462577168387571715.post-14543024260269276702012-07-09T16:54:00.001-07:002012-07-09T17:18:47.382-07:00Stepping Out of the Unknown<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VjKh8q4nEoE/T_ttQlm690I/AAAAAAAAAB4/5cXozPqz-kE/s1600/IMG_2746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VjKh8q4nEoE/T_ttQlm690I/AAAAAAAAAB4/5cXozPqz-kE/s320/IMG_2746.JPG" width="318" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After an extraordinarily long office visit – by that I mean
that I was told to expect 45 to 60 minutes for this first visit, but spent
nearly 4 hours – with Dr. Toma, my oncologist (chemo doctor), I feel a lot
better. I think, for me, the hardest part of any crisis is the not knowing –
the drawn-out wait for more information. It was the same with my divorce 12
years ago, for the house fire 3 years ago, and, really, for anytime I’ve dated
anyone - ever. Yet, as soon as I know the next step and can make a plan, the
sooner I feel better. It’s like picking up nuggets of certainty to hang on to
during a storm of not knowing anything. But when I think about it, what do I
ever know for sure anyways? Life is one big un-knowing-ness. I only have the
illusion of certainty. And at a time of crisis, that illusion is shattered, and
here I am – being smacked up side the head with the fact that nothing is
certain, nothing is for sure.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pardon me, while I try hold on to my illusion just a little
longer. I do like knowing things. I’m a teacher – and as much as I love
teaching things, I love learning them too. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is what I know… er, think I know, for sure…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1 out of 8 women will get breast cancer. :(</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Breast Cancer comes in 4 Stages:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span>Stage 1 = caught early, less than 2 cm in size
(that’s mine)</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span>Stage 2</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span>Stage 3</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span>Stage 4 = advanced, metastasized into other
parts of the body</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because my little bit of cancer was small 1.4 cm, it counts
for Stage One. That made me eligible for a lumpectomy (removing a portion) rather
than a mastectomy (removing the entire breast). The good news is, that
lumpectomy + radiation = the same survival rate as a radical mastectomy (5 to
7% chance of not surviving). Because I chose lumpectomy, that means I also
chose radiation. The surgery with
the radiation counts for the primary treatment of my little bit of cancer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Breast Cancer comes in 3 Grades:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span>Grade 1</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span>Grade 2 (what my biopsy indicated)</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span>Grade 3 (what pathology of my tumor revealed)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each grade indicates the likelihood of the cancer returning,
of a cell escaping during surgery and finding a new place to grow in my body – metastasizing.
The higher the grade, the greater likelihood of the cancer spreading elsewhere.
So, the secondary treatment is to make sure we’ve killed any cell that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">might </i>have escaped from the tumor. So
the next part of my treatment involves poisoning all fast growing cells – which
include hair follicles (yes, I plan to lose my hair sometime during the 1<sup>st</sup>
week of August, or soon thereafter), cells lining my GI tract/system (which
causes the nausea – but they’ve got great drugs to fix all that), and my blood
cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets), and the
possible/maybe cancer cells that might have escaped from the tumor. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since my cancer cells are He 2 positive, and negative in the
other possible areas of receptors, Dr. Toma recommends 4 chemo treatments and a
year of herceptin. The worst of the side effects will happen within a 3 month
span. I will go for a chemo treatment every 21 days, until the 4 treatments are
complete. During that time I will receive the following: Taxotere and Cytoxan.
I will take a dose of Herceptin, with each Chemo visit and weekly, in between
visits. While in rare cases heart damage could occur, the side effects are
minimal. I will be monitored closely, to be sure my heart is safe. My hair will
grow back and the fatigue from chemo will subside. Until 2007, herceptin was
used only in Advanced stages of cancer. But now, it’s proven highly effective
in preventing the spread and return of cancer. That means, I’m going to live a
long, long time. <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have procedures to schedule before my first chemo
treatment on July 19<sup>th</sup>:</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span>PET Scan</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span>MRI of lower back/lumbar area</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span>RNVG scan to check how well my heart is
functioning</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';">
</span></span>Day Surgery – Dr. Talbert will be inserting a
port underneath the skin on the left side of my chest. I will have to keep it
in throughout the chemo treatments. Not sure if I’ll need it for the remaining
treatments of herceptin. That’s a question for my new list of questions to ask.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Cancer Center was a place filled with patients reclining in big leather chairs and a
very kind staff. The ladies there, ahead of me in my treatment, gave me lots of
advise about wigs and scarves and where to find them. The Cancer Treatment
Center gave me my first scarf – pictures to follow. The American Cancer Society
may provide 2 free wigs. I have to check with my insurance to see if they will
cover one, as well. So I’m hoping to find some really cool colors and cuts – to
go with different moods on different days. There’s a workshop on how to style
my profile while undergoing all this icky stuff…. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I could write a lot more stuff … that I think I know, but if
you’ve read up to this point, you might be feeling almost as overwhelmed as me.
So this is a good place to pause. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In summary: I’ll be done with the worst before Halloween. In
a year I’ll be finished with the rest.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Strangely, I do feel better. Even if it’s all an illusion of
some maybe-kind-of certainty, it feels good to have a plan.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for your prayers, positive thoughts, and good light.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Life is good!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DnbwpvG7yus/T_ttyRWSHSI/AAAAAAAAACQ/DAu3EnST6bo/s1600/IMG_2751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fc2yhQXJxh0/T_tuQ5ENWgI/AAAAAAAAACY/4ICVhOhtMEg/s1600/IMG_2757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fc2yhQXJxh0/T_tuQ5ENWgI/AAAAAAAAACY/4ICVhOhtMEg/s200/IMG_2757.jpg" width="150" /></a><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DnbwpvG7yus/T_ttyRWSHSI/AAAAAAAAACQ/DAu3EnST6bo/s200/IMG_2751.jpg" width="150" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bCidj8hXKlU/T_tuXPNwTTI/AAAAAAAAACg/tdbabjFKJUI/s1600/IMG_2755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bCidj8hXKlU/T_tuXPNwTTI/AAAAAAAAACg/tdbabjFKJUI/s200/IMG_2755.jpg" width="150" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
P.S. In the meantime, I'm going to archive my present hair and prepare for my hairlessness. So excited about the scarves and hats and cool new looks. ;)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Shelly Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858416027459796315noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462577168387571715.post-70202258934815632432012-06-27T08:05:00.001-07:002012-06-27T08:19:45.443-07:00Fabulous News!Dr. Talbert, breast surgeon extraordinaire, called me yesterday afternoon with the pathology report. At the time, I was enjoying a deluxe pedicure with my mom and my niece, Dani. The report - no cancer in the lymph nodes! :) The cancer she removed measured 1 1/4 cm - qualifying it as Stage One. I will still have both radiation and 6 months of chemo therapy. But Dr. Talbert believes I'm a good candidate for the short course of radiation - that means 5 days rather than 3 weeks. Presently, I'm waiting to hear from Dr. Toma, oncologist, or at least someone in her office, to set up my first appointment with her. I still don't know which will come first, radiation or chemo. I'm back to that waiting period before beginning the next leg of this strange journey.<br />
<br />
I will still endure fatigue and hair loss, but I'm kinda looking forward to fun wigs, hats, and scarves. :) <br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PDRfx4NtQkY/T-sgZnIXY7I/AAAAAAAAABk/hAFq-p6NdTE/s1600/HealthyBreastCells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PDRfx4NtQkY/T-sgZnIXY7I/AAAAAAAAABk/hAFq-p6NdTE/s200/HealthyBreastCells.jpg" width="200" /></a>I recently made a new Vision Board - and in the lower right hand corner, included an image of healthy breast cells. How do I know what they look like? I googled images for "healthy breast cells." And this was the prettiest one.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9EuQyBSwi5k/T-sgc6Aj-iI/AAAAAAAAABs/cB80ZPSmjbg/s1600/UpLadder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9EuQyBSwi5k/T-sgc6Aj-iI/AAAAAAAAABs/cB80ZPSmjbg/s200/UpLadder.jpg" width="166" /></a></div>
So... visualization is a nice strategy to use in prayers and pursuing life goals, I believe. Around the middle of the board are three figures climbing a ladder. They represent me and you. Seriously. Helping each other as we face challenges and overcome hard times on our way to... ? Who knows. I just know that I am blessed to have lots of help getting there. I hope to be that kind of help for you and others when the need arises.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, thank you for good thoughts, positive energy, light, and prayers. God is good.Shelly Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858416027459796315noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462577168387571715.post-42218973684003521732012-06-26T10:41:00.000-07:002012-06-26T19:30:37.481-07:00Call Me, "Madonna"I know. Strange title for an update on my little bit of
breast cancer. If you keep reading, I promise to include a pictures.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First, I’d like to express deep thanks and gratitude for
prayers, phone calls, words of encouragement in texts and Facebook messages,
and F2F (face-to-face) visits. What a blessing this little experience has been,
kind of like Christmas. <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> There were even flowers! I haven’t seen
that many fresh flowers since Ray was courting me.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HQ6atppSsEA/T-pvlmdOZaI/AAAAAAAAABQ/XCi4QEurcSo/s1600/IMG_2622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HQ6atppSsEA/T-pvlmdOZaI/AAAAAAAAABQ/XCi4QEurcSo/s200/IMG_2622.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
And a special thanks to my friend, Karen (aka Martha
Stewart). She asked if she could bring me a meal the night I came home from
surgery. I didn’t really need a meal, we don’t often do home-cooking as much as
grab something from Panera or Subway, but I know what a great cook she is… and even
though I felt a little guilty for my reply, I texted back “YES!” I made the
right decision. She arrived, precisely at 5:00pm (and by precisely, I mean that
it awes me how people like Karen are always on time, as opposed to people like
me who are generally 10 to 15 minutes late, sometimes later). In each arm she
carried a basket, like in a fairy tale, filled to the brim with warm aromas of
gourmet lasagna, cheddar biscuits, salad with candied walnuts, raspberry vinaigrette,
and a freshly baked apple crisp pie. Since I hadn’t eaten all day long…. it was
like I’d woken up in heaven! Seriously, it was almost worth the illness just to
have a home-cooked meal, especially prepared by my friend, Karen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And deep gratitude for the anointings. My sweet husband is
friends with some very faithful and prayerful folks. His friend, Mike, is a
Methodist minister. Soon after my biopsy, he drove all the way from Lake
Eufaula to pray over me and anoint me with healing oil. Ray’s best friend Dave,
who was one of the best men at our wedding, and his beautiful wife, Jimmie, who
works with Ray – are both charismatic prayer warriors. They drove up from
Sterling and brought their own healing oil and prayed over me. And my own
church family… at Wednesday night mass, laid hands on me too. That afternoon,
it took Father Jack and I about 5 minutes to talk through what would happen at
6:15 mass; then another 65 minutes to debate our opposite positions on
politics. The only thing we agreed
on was to take a break from debating. <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> But that evening, after communion,
Father Jack called me and Ray and Jacob up to the altar. Then he called on all
the cancer survivors at mass to join us and lay hands upon me as Father Jack
anointed me with the healing oil of our church. I felt such love and such peace
– and feel it again each time someone reaches out w/ words or a touch or a
gesture of concern. Thank
you. <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> I hope I can return the great compassion and love – or at
least pay it forward for someone else in need.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One more shout-out of thanks - for my daughter, Shelby. She
gave up her Saturday to care for me. What a great cook I raised. Jimmie and
Dave had brought us fresh squash from their garden, along with a huge zucchini.
Shelby made me zucchini bread and stir-fry and tidied up my kitchen. We spent
the afternoon in meaningful conversation. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So… about the name, “Madonna.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bright and early Friday morning, before the surgery, I
arrived at Breast Imaging in Edmond. They were to insert a wire that would lead
directly to the cancerous tissue. That involved a sonogram and a needle with a
wire inside of the needle. Then, Pam, the imaging technician, explained to me,
that about 3 ½ inches of the needle would remain sticking out of my breast –
maybe that’s the plastic syringe part – I’m not sure – I chose not to look too
closely. It wasn’t all that painful. Just a sting. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The disturbing part of the whole ordeal was the way I left
the clinic. To protect the needle, and, I suppose, me, Pam taped a Styrofoam
cup over the needle and to my right breast. Which is fine… but the loose button
up shirt I bought the day before was no way going to fit over that. Seriously. She
said not to worry, I could wear the blue poncho. For those of you who have
never had a mammogram, the blue poncho is a 3 x 3 foot sheet with a hole in the
middle for your head to fit through. When they need to take pictures of your
breasts, they toss back the corners over your shoulders like a super hero cape.
For me, that morning, it was decided to leave all the corners in place and to wear
my shirt as if it were a vest. Omigosh. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BUleISx28v0/T-pvt9qUseI/AAAAAAAAABY/1EfdaYTJ-lA/s1600/IMG_2620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BUleISx28v0/T-pvt9qUseI/AAAAAAAAABY/1EfdaYTJ-lA/s320/IMG_2620.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="webkit-fake-url://CD6B6CF5-F489-4F06-9223-6C11E88D58AE/application.pdf" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Seriously. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I didn’t mind walking out into the waiting area of Breast
Imaging, where only a handful of women were waiting their turns for mammograms
and such. I was actually laughing at the silliness of the situation. And it
wasn’t much of a bother in the car, or at Mercy Hospital parking lot, where Ray
took the picture of me. What was just a little uncomfortable, was walking into
Day Surgery – which is, evidently, always a packed house on a Friday. I don’t think
there was a single empty chair in the waiting room when we walked in – but I’m
not sure, because I was busy trying not to notice all the people trying not to
stare at my right side.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I sat down at registration, the nice lady said, “Name,
please.” I replied, “Madonna.” She looked up at me, then at my right side, and
said, “Mm… I don’t think so. Madonna’s were pointy and she had two of them.”
And we all laughed. In fact, I kept laughing until they put me under
anesthesia. I might have laughed afterwards, but the nausea got in the way.
Other than that, it was a simple procedure.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Dr. Talbert spoke
with Ray and my parents – telling them that the lymph nodes looked good – but
we’ll know for sure when she gets the pathology report. She will call me by
Wednesday, June 27<sup>th</sup>, to let me know if the cancer is spread to the
lymph nodes or contained. She will also set me up with an appointment with my
oncologist, Dr. Toma.<o:p></o:p></b></div>Shelly Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858416027459796315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462577168387571715.post-1735091295526913602012-06-19T21:16:00.001-07:002012-06-19T21:16:30.303-07:00More Good News<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Created>2012-06-09T06:32:00Z</o:Created>
<o:LastSaved>2012-06-10T00:34:00Z</o:LastSaved>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>201</o:Words>
<o:Characters>1147</o:Characters>
<o:Company>Home</o:Company>
<o:Lines>9</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>2</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>1408</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>12.0</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>
<w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
</w:Compatibility>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276">
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Here is what I know:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cancer is less than 2 centimeters and they are thinking
Stage One.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will be having a lumpectomy, where they remove the cancer
and some of the healthy tissue around it. They will also remove some of the
sentinel lymph nodes. If they radiate them before the surgery, they do not have
to remove as many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Surgery is scheduled for 9:50 am, Friday, June 22<sup>nd</sup>
at Mercy Hospital. This will be in the Day Surgery, so it’s out-patient. I’ll
be home that afternoon and able to return to some activity in two to three
days.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Afterwards, I will have to have both radiation and
chemotherapy, but only one at a time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The chemo treatments will last 6 months. Side effects = hair
loss and fatigue. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The chemo oncologist I will likely see will be Dr. Aleda
Toma.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will know more when Dr. Talbert gets the pathology report.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No reconstruction surgery. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Here’s what I do NOT
know:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What kind of radiation or in what order (chemo or radiation
first) – we will have to wait for the pathology report (2-3 days after surgery)
to find out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t know the name of the radiation oncologist.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t know when the treatments will begin – soon I think.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Here’s what I’m
looking forward to:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scarves and hats! I’ve always wanted to wear them, but …
didn’t think I was cool enough. I think a little cancer makes me cool enough.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Here’s what I’m
thankful for:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You and your prayers, mantras, and postive thoughts. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life is good!</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Shelly Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858416027459796315noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462577168387571715.post-2500785315972167232012-06-18T22:18:00.000-07:002012-06-18T22:22:35.511-07:00Somewhere Between Denial and Dread<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is the night before I meet with Dr. Beverly Talbert,
surgeon.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Earlier today, G, my therapist, asked me about fear. I told
her I was somewhere between denial and dread… and maybe I feel a little fear,
but it mostly dances on the edge of my denial and unknowing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m sure it’s there. I see it in the eyes of my friends and
concerned folks like my dentist. I saw it in G’s eyes and in the eyes of one of
my dear friends who is a breast cancer survivor. I saw it in my Mama’s eyes
when she told me she knew I’d be okay, but she dreaded the path that would get
me there. All these people know something I do not – they’ve either experienced
for themselves or they have had close friends who have been diagnosed with
cancer. And they all look at me with the same deep concern in there eyes. A
couple of them even teared up. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sigh. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Soon enough I’ll be in that learning curve, taking in the
moments that my family and friends are dreading. I’m not there yet. I’ll let
you know when I am.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the meantime, there is good news to celebrate! <span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> The abnormal gene that runs in the
Grabow branch of my family tree – BRCA2 – does not flow in my blood stream.
Yep. A geneticist sent my blood to test for that particular abnormality the
same day I had the MRI. She called me this afternoon and admitted she was
surprised by the results. Me? I’m rejoicing. That means I’m not going to follow
up this surgery and treatment with a hysterectomy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This also means my daughters will not be need to be tested
for an increased risk of ovarian and breast cancer. It means my son will not
have to be tested for an increased risk of prostate cancer. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’re lots of
things I want to pass on to my children. Cancer is not one of them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So tonight, I am grateful. I'm grateful for no BRCA2. I'm grateful for friends and family who allow themselves to feel the fear I cannot. I'm grateful for the abundance of prayers and prayer lists I've been added to. I'm grateful for those who have prayed over me, for get-well cards and for the prayer bowl from the cancer support group welcoming me into their membership. I'm grateful for 50 cancer-free years. I'm grateful for pickle ladies who wanted to have coffee and pray over me and for Zena's tears. I'm grateful for a principal who is also a prayer warrier. I'm grateful that God has sent me the sweetest husband in the whole wide world. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I'm grateful.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>Shelly Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858416027459796315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462577168387571715.post-82972470633114129742012-06-15T13:31:00.001-07:002012-06-18T22:22:00.789-07:00Rose Abandoned?I began this poem a couple of weeks ago - on a Writing Marathon. I think it's about aging and that whole life process I find myself in the middle of.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 24px;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 24px;">Rose Abandoned?</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Floating
under a stone bridge<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">green
water shimmering<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">nourishing
what’s left<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> of your long stem and
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">once pink petals<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">In
that movement<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> from budding green,
then<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> bursting forth with
color and life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">To
opening so wide<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">accepting
all<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> even the edges of petals<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> turning from supple
to dry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> from
pink to pale brown<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">And
you just lying there<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> suspended in time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> unaware that all life
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> leads<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> to death<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Ripples
from the wake <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> of human tidings<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> move you suddenly along
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> like this must be the
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> natural way of things<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">While
a long stemmed rose<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> lies dying, fading,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Satisfied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Shelly Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858416027459796315noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462577168387571715.post-84975395263204118962012-06-11T11:46:00.002-07:002012-06-11T11:46:58.768-07:00So, I have this little cancer thing...Before I even knew about the little cancer thing, I went to my annual visit to my ob/gyn and had my annual mammogram. Pretty routine by now. Except that after you turn 50, they add a little more to your routine - not two appoints, but around 5. Bone density, colonoscopy, and if you have allergies, well there are other options. Mom says that once you turn 50, it' all maintenance from there on. Egads.<br />
<br />
I've been wanting to blog for a long time now... to move myself into a habit of daily writing. I'm thinking I have important ideas about teaching and parenting and being a friend - ideas that others might want to read about. But I also need a <b><i>habit</i></b> in order to finish that darn thesis of mine. Plus, I love the idea of reaching out and sharing my voice with your voices. Connecting.<br />
<br />
So... now, I have another reason - cancer. I'm not that afraid, but I am a little. But if I blog, I can talk less and inform more. I'm blessed with lots of folks who are my family and friends. And that means I have to tell the same story over and over and over. That's a little exhausting. Not that you can't ever ask me, please do. It's just that I might reply, "Updated info has been posted on my my blog." LOL! What a way to build up my reader-ship. :)<br />
<br />
<b>Here is what I know today</b>:<br />
<br />
<b>Wednesday, June 6, 2012 - second imaging revealed a spot and need for ultra sound. Dr. Mitchell, radiologist recommended a biopsy - and prepared me - at the time it looked like cancer.</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Thursday, June 7, 2012 - Dr. Mitchell called and said pathology reported cancer, grade 2 (not stage - that pathology info is to come).</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Friday, June 8, 2012 - MRI revealed good news: no other spots or cancer in my breasts. I was also tested for BRCA2, an abnormal gene that runs in the Grabow side of my family. That info will inform my surgeon, Dr. Beverly Talbert, and me about next steps.</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Tuesday, June 19, 2012 - I will meet Dr. Beverly Talbert and learn more. </b><br />
<br />
That's all I know today, that and I have a lot of good folks praying for me. I also know, that I'm going to be okay. :) I've survived other challenges and I know lots of survivors who already inspire me view challenges as opportunities for spiritual growth.<br />
<br />
Don't even think this is going to make me less political. Like I told Father Jack, "A girls gotta have goals."<br />
<br />
Life is Good!<br />
<br />
P.S. Look for my next post: "Rose Discarded." It's a draft of a poem I began on a Writing Marathon. Ironic that I wrote it then and it seems to be about this now. Not about death, but aging. :) <br />
<br />
<br />Shelly Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858416027459796315noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462577168387571715.post-2294811913624424042012-03-10T10:13:00.000-08:002012-03-10T10:13:38.238-08:00What is a Political Act?As I made my way through the course work for my Masters, I learned a new perspective that I had not previously considered: To teach is a political act. I think that came from reading <u>Literacy: Reading the Word and Reading the World</u> by Paulo Freire.<br />
<br />
To teach is a political act.<br />
<br />
In the beginning of my course work, that struck a chord with me. Until then, I thought teaching was an important job, but often longed for easier conditions and more cooperative students. A little more money wouldn't hurt either, partly why I was pursuing my Masters - to make myself more economically viable - to do what I could to secure an income that would allow me, not only a livable wage, but also to pursue dreams and worthy goals. In the state of Oklahoma, the increase in salary is just not that much, like maybe around $1000 a year, give or take a couple of hundred. For what I've paid the University of Oklahoma, that increase will never catch me up financially. I knew that going in.<br />
<br />
Pursuing a Master's degree was mostly about becoming the best teacher I could be. Before enrolling as a graduate, I had spent a year engaged in the process of becoming a National Board Certified Teacher. A rigorous process, to say the least. That year had engaged my intellect, my resolve and fortitude, and my ability to reflect on my classroom practice in ways that I had never been challenged before. I sacrificed time with friends and family and other goals, so I could focus on achieving not only the letters, "N.B.C.T.," but also the gains in my ability to reach all my students. The money for achieving this certification? $5000.00. Each year for the next ten years, meant a yearly bonus of $5000.00. That would give me the money to help pay for my master's degree. It would also allow a single mother of three to take her three children on vacation.<br />
<br />
When you make the decision to become a teacher, you make it with your eyes wide open. I knew I would always make a modest income. The work I do is meaningful work. And the truth is, I was meant to be a teacher. I love this job.<br />
<br />
The state of Oklahoma, while never boasting about teacher salary or per-student-expenditure status, has made huge progress in the almost 30 years since first stepped into the classroom. We were among the first to create state standards for the curriculum we taught. The Oklahoma Writing Project has been a site of the National Writing Project since 1977, connecting master teachers from all grade levels K-College and across all curriculum, for the purpose of using teachers to teach teachers how to teach writing. The College Board AP and Pre-AP programs and teacher training has raised the level of expectation of teachers and all our students. Oklahoma has been a leader in supporting and certifying teachers in the National Board process. Opportunities for professional development have been available for the all teachers and the ones who become better at their jobs have partaken in those rich professional opportunities for growth.<br />
<br />
But in 2011, with a Republican legislature and now a Republican governor and Republican Superintendent, everything changed. Everything that made me a better teacher, was no longer valued. Our superintendent created a budget that cut funding for every form of professional development that has made me a better teacher. First, the superintendent cut our bonuses by $1300 (est.) to share with certified speech pathologists. Then, she cut the budget for NBCT all together. She NEVER asked for the funds to support NBCT. She told the legislator she didn't need additional funds. No matter what is said now... I know the truth. This legislature is bent toward ending the everything good that has made me a better teacher.<br />
<br />
"Where you put your treasure, there your heart lies."<br />
<br />
What I'm learning about politicians is they own the literacy of power. Their power rests in their ability to create laws that benefit what they care about. For instance, they can cut taxes for corporations in the name of creating jobs for our state. Whether or not job creation is the result. The research is clear that job creation has not grown as a result of the compelling "trickle-down" economic theory we've been trying for the last 30 years. However, in cutting taxes, they re-create a budget, a budget that cuts programs. We cut programs that impact the most vulnerable of our state: the elderly, the poor, the children of the poor. We cut programs that impact public education. Politicians say they want to "reform" education. Then they take away the very resources that were working in education.<br />
<br />
I read from a friend posting on Facebook, "Follow the money." If you cut funding for education, who benefits? Follow the money. Our governor and our superintendent both make $148,000 a year. When our governor retires, she will retain that salary for a lifetime. That's her retirement. I'm not sure about the retirement of a superintendent or a state legislator, but I bet it's considerably better than my retirement. Follow the money. Which corporations have benefited the most? Who sacrifices so they can benefit? Who benefits from the sacrifices our most vulnerable children must now make? <br />
<br />
My rambling has gaps, but I have questions.<br />
<br />
What is a political act? I think teaching is. While I don't own the literacy of political power - the ability to write laws that create a shift in our state finances from public funds to private corporations and to the wealthiest of our state, I do own other literacies.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Teaching is a political act.<br />
<br />
And so is writing, reading, thinking, learning, investigating and researching. Thank you, Oklahoma legislature. While I've always wondered about the differences between our political parties, you have given me cause to read more, think more, and learn more. I did not become a teacher to act politically. Despite my intentions, teaching has always been a political act. The teaching we do in our public schools has the power to bridge the gaps between a growing lack of resources and access to those resources.Shelly Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858416027459796315noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2462577168387571715.post-85874564132010512152011-06-24T13:24:00.000-07:002011-06-25T13:05:59.886-07:00Here I Am!Hahahahah! I'm writing my very first Blog. You can tell from the title of the BLOG and the title of this POST, that I know little of what I am doing... I meant to title the post, "Here I Am," not realizing that my blog is the overarching title of the collection of my posts. Entering a learning curve, but now, hopefully, I'm getting the hang of it. And so...<br />
<br />
Here I am.<br />
<br />
I love writing and reading and I really hope that blogging will help improve my writing skills. Great. You might be thinking that. You might really be thinking, "Great - I'm reading her blog, like a guinea pig waiting to see if the spinning wheel actually takes me anywhere." To that thought, I say to you... "Yeah, maybe."<br />
<br />
I love starting things. And I'm really good at starting more things than I am able to finish. But somehow, in starting this blog, I'm hoping I'll be tapping into the language part of my brain, the critical thinking, the awareness of audience (whoever you are, once you start gathering, er... following) and I will be able to sharpen my focus on my dreams and goals and in how I live my everyday life.<br />
<br />
I believe that about writing and reading and thinking and communication - that in putting ourselves out there into real relationships with life, with God, and with ourselves, we somehow follow our dreams and help our <b><i>visions</i></b> come true.<br />
<br />
A few years ago, before my house fire, I created a VISION Board. Got the idea from watching my daughter's DVD of <u>The Secret</u> and an episode of <u>Oprah</u>. I still have that Vision Board - with black soot and the smell of campfire - and so much of it has already come true. I put a pic of someone running - getting into shape - and I almost ran my first 5K. I haven't given up - I will accomplish that. Another image is of a woman sitting in a room surrounded by bookshelves - I have a room like that in my new house. And an image of a family around a dinner table - my relationship with my children has been improving ever since, and now it's not <b><i>as</i></b> unusual for us to be sitting around the dinner table sharing a meal. And... because at the time, I was struggling with my singleness and longing for a loving relationship with a good and godly man, I included a sappy image of a couple sitting along the edge of a lake, holding hands. In two weeks, I will celebrate a first year of marriage with the sweetest man in the whole wide world. There are other images I'm still working on... images of painting, photography, hiking in the mountains (oh - did that on our honeymoon!) and one that represents completing a PhD. Guess I should have included an image for writing a thesis, but I have no doubt I (by the grace of God) will make those dreams happen too.<br />
<br />
I believe in Vision Boards as a tool for achieving dreams. Somehow, connecting the part of my brain that holds images with the part of my brain that processes language, allows me to tap into my spiritual self and find ways to live a good and purposeful life. Maybe that's just crazy, but I believe it.<br />
<br />
I realized with the Writer's Notebooks I use as part of my classroom practice (the topic of my thesis, btw) that including images on the cover could be a kind of vision board. I started out by asking my students to include at least 3 images representing each of the following: a strength, a challenge they would like to overcome, and an affinity. I created those kinds of images... but last year I realized that I was also creating something, very much like a vision board. It looked similar to the goals and dreams I had symbolized with images on my vision board.<br />
<br />
Well... see for yourself:<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5BYFr6Li90/TgTp5J692aI/AAAAAAAAAAw/-UJ8zZEjRh0/s1600/IMG_1738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q5BYFr6Li90/TgTp5J692aI/AAAAAAAAAAw/-UJ8zZEjRh0/s320/IMG_1738.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last Fall I improved on my use of time and being on time... and developed the habit of posting to my school webpage everyday, so that students and parents had access to daily assignments and handouts via the internet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n20xUEFqjDA/TgTqxWkO_hI/AAAAAAAAABA/aYGmaNFVjbU/s1600/IMG_1744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n20xUEFqjDA/TgTqxWkO_hI/AAAAAAAAABA/aYGmaNFVjbU/s320/IMG_1744.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last Spring I became an activist - didn't really intend to storm the capital, I first acted in behalf of our school, my friend, and against breathing in asphalt roofing fumes - but then our last legislative session happened and I wrote more letters than ever to the President, Governer, and all my representatives.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pLFaia7Fe7E/TgTq97ih92I/AAAAAAAAABE/02K226-F5TM/s1600/IMG_1746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pLFaia7Fe7E/TgTq97ih92I/AAAAAAAAABE/02K226-F5TM/s320/IMG_1746.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is my personal Writer's Notebook.... :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>(Wishing I knew how to make them line up horizontally and not take up so much space.)<br />
<br />
So... here I am and I believe in visioning the life I want to live. I also believe in writing my story. Let's see if this blog will become another medium for me to do just that.<br />
<br />
In the meantime.... May your visions be with you!Shelly Kayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02858416027459796315noreply@blogger.com2