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Start with One

Start with One.

One deep breath.

One walk.

One brussel sprout.

One honest, yet much-needed talk.

One clean glass of water.

One bottle unbought.

One more minute to get there.

One more peaceful thought.

One smoothie.

One smile.

One true need.

One pile.

One donation.

One cause.

One beat before leaving.

One pause.

One trip to the park.

One page.

One overdue goodbye.

One wave.

One bag of recycling.

One hug.

One act done in kindness.

One reusable coffee mug.

One sunrise alone.

One sunset with friends.

One meal without phones.

One firm boundary set.

One more of this.

One less of that.

One time let it go.

One time don’t react.

One trigger unfollowed.

One debt repaid.

One try again tomorrow for

One start begun today.

JAD 12.30.19

Smile Searching

Always in search of a positive path while still living a life in the now.

Smile: it’s Monday!

-Jac

Honor the Space Between

Wanting and working and waiting builds character. Our family’s patience (both collectively and individually) has expanded during Abraham’s 30-month battle against brain cancer. I don’t claim that as a special feat; there really is little choice during intense times of medical necessity.

As 2017 began, Abraham had his three-month MRI. The results documented a stable scan of his brain and spine, and under direction of our skillful oncology team, the surgeon removed the port in Babe’s chest. He and his brother Tom have been fighting a persistent fever and cough, but it seems they are both slowly, steadily on the mend.

Removing the port moved us all one step away from Abraham’s cancer treatment. It doesn’t signal the all clear, but it does change our space into a milder yet untold truth that lies somewhere between no longer – and not yet.

Our son may no longer be in active treatment, but the view for a cure that holds much certainty remains hidden.  We continue to grow our hope despite the unknowns because our perspective is fed from gratitude and grounded in faith.

Like everyone, we cannot see beyond our present reality. Setbacks such as fevers that linger and falls on the ice make it even harder.

So for now, the transitional stretch ahead offers our family an open climb. Fortunately, this new, formidable terrain welcomes us all with majestic, humbling views along the way.


Peace, love, and strength…

As I Live and Breathe

Looking outward at a skewed society changes nothing. Blaming the world for atrocities it can no longer bear changes nothing.

Finding balance in a shifting world is only possible if we continue seeking the resources of our own peaceful center of truth.

It starts within.

It starts with me.

(Kankakee River, November 2016)

Love, and hope…

Shaping our Days

Our thoughts determine our attitude, and our attitude shapes our day.

I realized during some of the toughest days at the hospital with Abraham, I felt the strongest. I credit that to hope.

On the other hand, some of the quieter “easy” days during his recovery, I found myself snappy and sad. I credit that to fear.

That proved to me that my moods, positive or negative, are due to more than the happenings of my day.

The things we brood about limit our approach to life: we remain bound and shadowed in traps held from yesterday’s pain.

Instead, if we cast aside dark thoughts, we can then bring in the light of hope. And when we have hope, it’s always a good day.

Peace, hope and light…