Tag: #love

ONE WORD FOR 2022

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As you look back at the year 2022, what one word comes to your mind? What did you experience?

My one word is SAD. Though a sad year, it filled me with more love.

As I reflect on the past year, it is hard to remember anything before the month of June. The sudden and unexpected death of our son-in-law impacted me quite deeply. Jimmy was young, vibrant, always smiling, giving, positive, and loving. He was a specimen of perfect health. Yet, he died of a sudden massive heart attack.

My beloved Aunt Arleigh left this earth in her 90s. I first met her when I was 12 years old and knew I wanted to be just like her. She always smiled, laughed, and had wonderful advice for an immature teenager. She was an actress and worked at Capitol Records. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf0T0IecP50

I said farewell to several of my cancer sisters. Each of these ladies impacted me in a special way: their laughter, enthusiasm, love, gratitude, spiritual beliefs, smiles, and their tears. I am all the more motivated to spread the word about any of the GYN cancers.

I have moved from sad to grateful. Though I miss each of these people, I reflect more on how blessed I am to have had them in my life.

THANKSGIVING & CANCER

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THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SENT OUT YESTERDAY. HOWEVER, THE MESSAGE IS PERFECT FOR EVERYDAY.

You might think, “I do not want to read or hear about cancer when this is a season of joy, family, food, and gratefulness. THOSE ARE THE VERY REASONS WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT CANCER AS WE PREPARE FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

Wishing you each a blessed Thanksgiving filled with love, compassion, peace, and gratitude.

STORMS OF LIFE

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The storms of life can occur in many forms: an unexpected death, a life-threatening diagnosis, or a natural disaster. When any of these events occur, we are often like a ship in a storm with our sails and rudder unused.

We struggle with such questions as:

  • Why me?
  • How will I get through this?
  • Can anyone help me?
  • Where is God?

Our son-in-law died unexpectedly at the young age of 59. Though he was the specimen of perfect health, he was unaware his heart was dangerously in need of surgery.

The storm of cancer has been in my life for 14 years, ebbing and flowing with intensity. My lessons are the same: taking good care of my body and living in the moment with love.

These events and the devastating hurricane Ian did prompt me to look at my life. How have I reached out to others? Have I been judgmental? Have I been prejudicial? Have I lived in the moment with love?

Lessons:

  1. Gratitude…shows us that real joy can come in the midst of the hardest time.
  2. Family & friends…storms bring. people closer together
  3. Change behaviors…be more patient, understanding, humble, loving, etc.
  4. Storms show us who we are and about those around us.
  5. New strengths can be developed
  6. Storms remind us of what is truly important.

As we face various storms, we may well need to adjust the sails and steady the rudder. We can be better, stronger, and more loving.

MY JOURNEY…

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My journey began in the shadows. A bloating abdomen changed my planned destination. Surprisingly, cancer was my unwelcome travel companion. At times the tracks were in such darkness, I could not see. Questions, doubts, and fear were on all sides until I decided to find a purpose.

So, I…

chose the track of sunshine; of light. Faith, knowledge, and love surrounded me as I kept my eyes on the sun of God.

Knowledge is power. Faith gives us strength. Purpose puts us on the right track to follow. We can outshine.

For the Teal Takeover, my team is called the Outshiners. Come and join my team as walk/run “together” bringing knowledge to others about gynecologic cancers. https://www.classy.org/team/446017

IF ONLY I….

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                       Do you sometimes say to yourself:

If only I had not worked so much…If only I had been a better parent or better child…If only I had tried more things or taken risks…If only I had spent more time with loved ones…If only I had pursued my dreams…If only I had taken better care of myself…If only I had done more to help others…

As we travel through life how many times have we bypassed opportunities, were not in a kind or generous mood, or abused our health? Leave “if only’s” behind and keep moving forward.

Ethos3
  • Do not be afraid to open doors, at least peek inside or perhaps walk through them.
  • Look at each moment as an opportunity to do or say something nice or helpful.
  • Your body is the only one you will have, so cherish and nurture it. What you do today may well determine your health for tomorrow.
  • People come into your life for a reason, whether family or friends. Learn from them, love them, and let them love and teach you.
  • There are always risks to any decision or action, take the risk and learn from it.

The hardest thing and the right thing are often the same. (Isaac Slade)

Move forward with love, and forgiveness, and you will learn and grow. YOU WILL LEAVE “IF ONLY” BEHIND.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. I welcome your comments.

WHAT HAPPENED?!

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Did 2021 really just end? Or, has my mind just gone a little crazy? What a year it has been with broken pipes, migraine headaches, canceled trips, a newly published book, untimely deaths, graduations, fishing, shelling, beach walks, time with family, good health, AND friends like you.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM 2021:

  • Make plans but be prepared to cancel or postpone
  • Research what is being said from the government down to your doctor and pharmacist.
  • Live each moment to its fullest.
  • Appreciate the wonderful Florida weather…even the humidity.
  • Reach out to friends and strangers in need.
  • Keep writing despite vision issues…dictate your stories, blogs, etc.
  • Clean out the cupboards, closets, and donate to those in need.
  • AND FINALLY, SPREAD YOUR LOVE.

Here are two music videos that will lift your spirits, give you hope, and fill your heart with love.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_DKWlrA24k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqhCQZaH4Vs

Wishing you each a blessed 2022.

“FICTION IN A FLASH CHALLENGE 2021” PHOTO PROMPT #31 #IARTG @pursoot WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts #FlashFiction

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Suzanne Burke has provided a new photo prompt from which to write a short story, poem, or one-liner. Come and join in the fun.

When I first saw the photo prompt, it brought back memories of my sister and I swinging side-by-side as children. Looking at the snow, I thought about the analogy of the seasons of the year and the journey of our lives.

Since Covid-19, the preciousness of life is ever more evident; the lessons of filling each day with love are more clear; the gift of memories is precious, and the beauty of love is ever so dear.

May 2021 be a year of lessons learned and lived. A time of putting aside differences and joining together in love. A year of taking better care of our health. A year that the swings of memories will uplift us.

Thank you for your support and following my blog. I invite you to follow my Facebook sites: https://www.facebook.com/karen.ingalls.5 https://www.facebook.com/ovariancanceroutshine

Please go to https://sooozburkeauthor.wordpress.com/ to learn Suzanne Burke, an amazing and award-winning author.

FICTION IN A FLASH CHALLENGE #26 @pursoot #Writing Community #IARTG #ASMSG

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Award-winning author, Suzanne Burke, presents photo prompts encouraging and inviting anyone to write a short story, one-liner, or poem inspired by the photo. Here is my Tanka poem inspired by this charming photo.

  THE MAGICAL TEDDY BEAR
  
 HOW SOON WILL HE COME?
 WHEN WILL I SEE HIM AGAIN?
 HE LEFT IN A RUSH
 ON A STRETCHER WITH DOCTORS
 SURROUNDING HIS FRAIL BODY.
  
 HE CRIED OUT MY NAME
 BUT THEY SAID "NO BEARS ALLOWED"
 I CALLED OUT HIS NAME
 IN MY MAGICAL METHOD
 THAT ONLY HE AND I KNEW.
  
 SITTING BY THE FIRE
 EACH NIGHT I WAITED FOR HIM
 PRAYING FOR HEALING
 OF MY DEAR FRIEND WHO I LOVE
 AND IN RETURN LOVES ME TOO.
  
 AT LAST HE RETURNS
 WRAPPING HIS ARMS AROUND ME
 HIS BODY IS THIN
 BUT OUR LOVE WILL HELP IT HEAL
 THE SAME AS IT HAS EACH YEAR.
  
 I’M NOT JUST A BEAR
 MY STUFFING IS MAGICAL
 I CAN HEAR AND SPEAK
 ONLY WITH MY YOUNG OWNER
 WHO I WILL LOVE FOREVER.

Like many children, I had a Teddy bear which I played with, dragged around, and shared my secrets. He was cuddly, never judging, and always there. This poem is in honor of my Teddy and all the other Teddy bears who have brought joy and comfort to children around the world.

I encourage you to go to Suzanne Burke’s website at https://sooozburkeauthor.wordpress.com/ and discover her books, blogs, and fiction in a flash challenges. You won’t be disappointed.

FICTION IN A FLASH CHALLENGE #14

karenringalls14 Comments

Welcome to today’s blog. Once again I am sharing a short story or a flash fiction based on a photo prompt. Author, Suzanne Burke offers these challenges and everyone is welcome to participate. https://sooozburkeauthor.wordpress.com/

Here is the photo prompt for this week:

The beautiful photo was the inspiration for the Tanka poem I wrote. A Tanka poem is a form of Japanese poetry consisting of 31 syllables divided by 5-7-5-7-7, creating a flowing story without pause.

I invite you to let your creative juices flow by writing a short story, a poem, or a one-liner inspired by the posted photo. Check out the details at https://sooozburkeauthor.wordpress.com/. This is not a contest, but an opportunity to share your gift of writing and creativity.

Did my Tanka poem and photo prompt inspire, excite, or give you joy and peace? I welcome your thoughts. Please leave a comment below. Thank you.