Reflections

Often times throughout our lives we lose sight of purpose. It's easy to do. We get caught up in our daily lives with the stress of our jobs, the duties of a wife & mother, and all the other roles we may play as we move along.

Recently, I've been doing some self reflection on my own life. There are so many things on my 'bucket list' that include both short term and long term goals:

* things I need or want to accomplish in my professional career
* make the household more efficient and organized
* spend more quality time with Amanda and be a better listener
* be more aware of finances
* healthier meals for the family
* get out of the house & meet people so this becomes more like home vs. a place I live
* travel more with Amanda both near & far so she can experience the world
* visit my long time friend Angela whom I haven't seen since I was a freshman in high school
* spend more time in the Word and allow God to lead the way
* me time -- where I can be creative, reflect on myself, and work on improving every aspect of my life
* grow in my marriage and be a better wife (not that I'm a bad one, but that's always a work in progress, right?!)
* share my thoughts with others more often!
* master time management skills
....

And the list goes on & on. How do we manage everything we want to do? How do we find time to complete everything that means so much to us? How can we continue to live life to the fullest day in & day out where we make a difference not only to those immediately around us but to others we may never know?

In my recent days of reflection, the above questions are just a sampling of what's been going through my mind. For the past couple of weeks, a radio advertisement for the Breast Cancer 3-day walk has been playing constantly and there is a song that plays in the background. I knew I had heard it before, but I couldn't place it.

I heard it again this morning, and looked it up. As I listened to the words and read the lyrics, it took me back to 2003 when Amanda was a baby and the Crop for Cancer journey began. How much joy was in my life at that time for all the good things we were doing to make a difference. How successful we were with the event and how proud I was to be a part of it.

We all need things like this to give us perspective. Reflecting back on this this morning has brought more clarity to my above bucket list which has led me to post my thoughts and share this song with all my family & friends, as well as those strangers I may never meet.

There is always hope among our daily struggles & triumphs - let this be a reminder to you as it has for me.

~Jamie was here

In Honor of Judy Valentine

I am so saddened. A dear friend of mine from Alaska has been battling cancer for over a year and I just received some devastating news.

This is a hard thing for me to post so please bear with me. Judy will not be with us much longer. She had to go off her IPT treatments for awhile and the cancer took advantage and spread to her liver and bones. She is bed ridden and cannot talk very well. She communicates through nods and extreme low whispers. She is being well cared for with an in home nurse and hospice is meeting with the family today to help with her medication. She is no longer able to swallow her pain medication so they will be setting up a liquid method.

She weighs less than 100 lbs and it can be a shock if you are not prepared. She can have visitors but don't plan on staying long as she is heavily sedated and will not be able to stay awake for long periods. I know it is hard to visit someone in this condition, it was difficult for me. If anyone cares to see her but needs support please call me and I'll go with you. I wouldn't wait too long as I doubt she will be here too much longer. ~Celeste

Judy is an amazing woman. She's always there to help when needed, she's got a loving heart and a wonderful family. She's been a team member for the Crop for Cancer - Alaska team since day one and can always be counted on.

Please lift up your prayers to Judy, her family and her friends in the days and weeks to come. I encourage you to leave a comment for Judy and her family as they will be read to them to encourage & reflect on past memories.

Here is a layout of an album I did showcasing the Alaska Crop for Cancer team in October 2006.

~Judy at the Alaska Crop for Cancer event October 2006.

Brides Against Cancer

I finally got the courage to do it!