Free Gifts...No Purchase Necessary

They come with the territory.

The Unfortunate Territory of

Recurring Cancer.

Gifts that come with the treatment and hopefully,

 remission, or whatever you want to call it.

The continuation of life in some quality.

These gifts are thrust upon you (Who would be so stupid as to

refuse them?)

Steroids to make you inflammation-free, fat and moon-faced.

Jumpy, jittery, sleepless.

Narcotic pain killers that make you zone out big time while

they make you welcome the next one with its numbing affects.

Throat pain from your friend Radiation.

And a weakened raspy voice.

A right hand that doesn't grasp as  it should because of nerve damage.

Your hand that as an artist you depend on.

FATIGUE.

And the wall  of tears that comes out of nowhere,

in the evening.

Gut-retching tears that have no explanation

but you know why you cry them.

Should have gone to bed earlier.

They're there to ambush you with the darkest of thoughts.

Hopeless, helpless thoughts.

That leave me with no choice but to bring out

The Big Trump Gift.

The Word of God.

Wonderful, refreshing, holy and true.

Get that?

Wonderful, refreshing, holy and

TRUE.

It works every time it's read out loud.

By my Boyfriend.

Every time it's prayed or whispered in my raspy voice.

It's God's balm to my soul.

A free gift.

No purchase necessary.

Au Revoir,

Mary

All images via Pinterest

Love the Bunny...

Au Revoir,

Mary

All images via Pinterest

"Therefore. . .

... since we are surrounded by

such a great cloud of witnesses,

let us throw off everything that hinders

and the sin that so easily entangles,

and let us run with

perseverance

the race marked out for us."

Hebrews: 12:1

Au Revoir,

Mary

Image via Pinterest

"My Friend is Here..."

You knew she was coming.

But she still  was a bit of a surprise.

Other things you'd much rather welcome

and deal with.

Some activities switched up for

more leisurely ones.

Plenty of rest and sunshine.

Pampering baths.

With dogs in tune.

Somethings are totally off limits.

The hot chocolate is okay,

or any other warm soothing beverage.

Not missing  My Friend one bit.

Just sayin'

Au Revoir,

Mary

All images via Pinterest

We Have This Family Room...

A  large one.

Once had friends over for an intimate evening of 

live chamber music.

And it worked.

In  its present condition,

 it provides lots of running-round room for the

Puppies.

(grandkids)

Lots of ceiling room for their noise to bounce off and echo.

Right now,



it's decorated in cozy yellow (really?), red and green.

But here is where I hope the Boyfriend isn't reading.

I love the white.

Beachy, cottage white.

Gotta have it at the beach.

Could have it at our house too.

White and Puppies?

The secret?

Slipcovers.

Have fun in the room.

Don't worry.

And when things get dirty,

strip them and throw them into the wash!

Same care label for the Puppies...

Au Revoir,

Mary

All images via Pinterest

Still Pumping

I still have my veins along with the blood in them.

Just ask my lab peeps.

Au Revoir,

Mary

All images via Pinterest

Washing

You step from your morning shower.

Done!

Clean.

Awake.

Huh?

Please, you've missed it.  Again.

What just happened in there was much more.

You and your sisters have been indulging in washing, especially your hair,

for thousands of years.

Many times together.

Taught by our mothers.

  Not just scrubbing and cleaning.

Massage, self-pleasuring, if you will.

With fragrance and texture to compose the symphony.

Breathe in.  Then out.  Let the aroma circulate through your senses,

to every cell that is YOU.

Reclaiming and renaming you.  

Transforming.

What for thousands of years happened once a week or less,

we flippantly rush through once a day, maybe more.

Don't.

Indulge and become.



Au Revoir,

Mary

All images via Pinterest