Sisters in Survival

When I read about Somerset Studios call for submissions in the theme Sisterhood I did not have any trouble coming up with my submission idea. Yes, I do have a sister, but it is a different sisterhood that I wanted to express my emotions about.

Sisters in Survival…

Over the past 3 years I have met many new sisters… some diagnosed with the same or similar cancer as mine… some diagnosed with different cancers…some as cheerleaders to help us through this disease… some in the medical field that deal with cancer everyday… my sisters at motherswithcancer as well as our visitors…some that have passed from this disease…

I know that many feel the pink ribbon has been overused and exploited, but it has become a symbol for breast cancer so I chose to use that as my “tie” or continuity throughout the piece. I love hearts and color… and felt both fit the piece as we are all different: sizes, shapes, colors, cancers… but love is woven throughout our lives, it helps us heal, and it helps us survive.

Here is a glimpse into my process...

I was so happy to receive an email that my piece was selected to be published in the July/August 2009 issue. I was so excited to see it in print when my issue arrived in the mailbox. The finished piece is on page 113….

Update on Life...

I have not blogged for quite awhile and it is because life has just gotten in the way. I cannot tell you what a great feeling that is that it is just life… regular life… nothing bad… no illness… no cancer… just life.

We are moved and getting more settled each day. My studio is unpacked and I am excited to get busy creating. I have ordered the Studios magazines and Where Women Create to get some ideas of just how I want me studio to look… shoemakers kids… sometimes as designers our own spaces are the hardest to design.

I received more exciting news that I will have a piece published in the June/July issue of Somerset Magazine… I am so happy and excited. My website is being redesigned… I can’t wait!

I met with my oncologist and my scans came back CLEAN. Yahoo!!! I now can move to a six month visit instead of every four months. That is scary in and of itself and I can see the other survivors reading this shaking their heads in agreement. The doctor told me that the 2 “P” words are what to be aware of… progressive and persistent. If I feel a persistent pain that gets progressively worse, to call them otherwise see you in 6!!

My niece’s wedding in Denver was beautiful.

Neither of my kids had ever been to a reception and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

My niece married into an Irish Catholic family and they know how to enjoy a wedding!! I wish them both only the best in life.

We spent Saturday looking at chalk paintings downtown...

and then celebrated N’s Sweet 16 ...

with my other nieces and their significants, my sister and brother-in-law and my grand niece. She reminds us so much of my daughter at her age it is not funny.

We walked around LoDo at night… I do miss the evenings that stay warm. We saw the “Big Blue Bear. I love the buildings in downtown Denver. That is one drawback to Orange County… we do not have a downtown and most of the surrounding cities are too young to have buildings with character… but we do have great weather. Our weekend was very busy, but memorable.

Today is our 26th anniversary… Happy Anniversary ‘L’.!!!

It is so hard to believe that it has been 26 years. I remember that day so clearly. My niece that just got married was a toddler when we started dating....

Exactly six years and three months after our first date my nieces were our Flower Girls...

(the order is the same as in the wedding photo!)

and now she is on her Honeymoon in Hawaii...…

Time does Fly...


PS - I purchased my "Journal" while in Denver.. so I hope to join The Next Chapter soon!!!