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Thursday, March 31, 2011

Ups and downs

Life is full of ups and downs and turns in the road. Some you know are coming while others are delightful (or not) surprises.  I had a delightful surprise recently when I won a giveaway on Chrissey's blog - my minature world. Delightful because I really enjoy her work and love the things she makes and a surprise because I hadn't entered and discovered it when checking on her latest projects! Chrissey had popped her followers in a hat and drawn a winner and I was the lucky one. We have exchanged emails and I will show my prize off when it finishes it's international journey and reaches me. 



At times these unexpected gifts mean more than they would at other times. A twist in the road saw the end of my 26 year marriage and 12 hours later I was told that not only had my relatively harmless basal cell skin cancer returned but it had been joined by the more serious melanoma. 

I don't really know what else to say so will close with Max Ehrmann's 

Desiderata
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.




23 comments:

  1. Wishing for better, happier and healthier times. :o))

    Michelle xx

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  2. I'm so sorry to hear your road is so bumpy right now, Christine! I hope you will heal quickly from both these "bumps"!
    Thank you for sharing the poem.... it is good advice to take to heart!
    Feel better soon!

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  3. Dear Christine, I'm so sad for you, losing your marriage and the loss of that comfort as you face this health crisis.
    If good wishes could heal, you'd be well in an instant.
    A gentle hug for you.

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  4. Hi Christine, I might be a long way away but I am sending you a big hug and my most positive thoughts.
    Take care honey.

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  5. Christine, so sorry to hear your sad news. C can be beaten but the other one I can't help with but I can send you big hugs ((((()))))♥

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  6. Christine,
    As a fellow Christine I send you my strong support and well wishes and big hugs.
    Christine

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  7. Bad things always happen to good people, so if things look bad now, it's only because you're one of the best.

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  8. (((hugs))) from over here :) Linda x

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  9. oh Christine, this is not good news. I wish you strenght.
    x Margot

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  10. Such a beautiful poem - it says so much.
    Life is indeed a journey - nurture your inner strength, you can do this.
    xx

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  11. Sorry I was signed in on the dogs blog!

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  12. I wish you a lot of strength for the hard times you have to go through.
    Love, Lara

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  13. i wish you all the best with your health and happiness.. some things are sent to test us and it doesn't seem fair, i know that you are strong and you will see it through, with your family's love and support. love christine xx

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  14. It happens - you're kicked when you're down - but you'll get through this, I know you will - just keep that sense of humour!

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  15. Hugs and well wishes for good health are being sent your way.

    Stay Strong

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  16. Hugs from me too, aww your going through so much at moment, am really glad your name was chosen out of the hat, tin!. Keep strong honey xx ps that poem is lovely xx

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  17. So sorry to hear your news. Sending warm wishes of Happiness and Health! wonderful poem.

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  18. Thank you very much everyone for your lovely thoughts and well wishes.

    I have had excellent news from my specialist that my melanoma has turned out to be a storm in a teacup! Because of the type it was he 'couldn't be reassuring' and after cutting a few good size holes and sending the bits off, he found that it hadn't progressed as far as would normally have been expected. I think he now regards himself as a miracle worker! He was excited enough to ring me at home himself with the news rather than have a secretary dial for him. :-D Both have a chance of returning but that is the case for anyone with English colouring who was raised under the glorious but damaging Australian sun, so please remember your skin checks!

    Thank you again. :)

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  19. yaay... thats good news, i am so pleased for you.. you have to look after yourself, nobody can do that for you, so lots of treats and pampering and all will be fine. xxx

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  20. So sorry about your situation, but I'm grateful for the news from your doctor! My dad has had a number of skin cancers removed, all with success, but he is a gardener so must take precautions. Totally do-able and manageable. God bless!

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  21. The doc's news sounds promising. Stay strong and take each day as it comes. Sending you warm wishes for the future, from Celia.

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  22. Thank you Christine, Alessandra and Celia. It is really comforting to come online and see the caring from people both close and far. :)

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