LJ Idol Season 6 Free Topic 01 - Simple Gifts
o/` "'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain'd,
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right." o/`
-- Traditional, written by Elder Joseph Brackett
For my non-sighted friends: the image displays an autumn colored burlap textured background with pictures of harvest vegetables and leaves in a cornucopia to one side and the words "Happy Thanksgiving...may you always have much for which to be thankful" in cursive script.
I mention this every year but it bears repeating: I'm thankful just to be alive to witness another Thanksgiving with my loved ones. I wasn't supposed to live this long. The initial estimate was for no more than thirty-five years. I'm thirty-eight years old now and I count not only every passing holiday but every single day a blessing.
This December will mark my first full year of chemotherapy; the disease isn't gone, but it's nearly under control and might possibly go into remission. I know chemotherapy is an odd thing for which to be grateful, but I am grateful nonetheless. A year ago I was so sick, miserable, and in pain that I was literally ready to shoot myself. While the chemotherapy does make me incredibly ill at times, it has also allowed me for the most part to have a more comfortable and enjoyable life. Even on the days I'm most tired and nauseated, it's still better than the alternative, which was slow death owing to open weeping wounds caused by abnormal skin cells.
My family and a few special friends made the suffering and the struggle to be here all worthwhile. When everyone else abandoned me, distanced themselves, broke ties or found themselves "too busy" to bother, these folks made phone calls, took us out to dinner, listened, ran errands, and executed my medical power of attorney when Fox couldn't be there. You know who you are, many thanks!
Dorie has been the shining light of all my dark afternoons for almost two years now. Frankly put, I cannot contemplate even one day without the friendly chatter, recipes, and bits of humor we trade throughout the work day. My heart would be empty, my soul not even half fulfilled without her presence. She opened up a part of me I never knew existed, to my everlasting and heartfelt gratitude.
Dee...my darkly shining one, my avenging angel, my lover and my friend. He's been with me for years, maybe since childhood, but neither had the courage to speak to the other until less than optimum circumstances forced us together. I can't possibly explain just how much I've benefited from our relationship and how much my heart and soul have grown because of the things we share and the discussions we have. I could never, ever regret having him in my life and I certainly couldn't imagine my life without him in it.
Mr. Shapeshifter has never once complained about marrying a wife and ending up taking care of an invalid. He does everything for me I can no longer manage, often anticipating my needs or without being asked. He's the love of my life, the keeper of my heart, and an all around gentleman. His innocence, in spite of my attempts to 'corrupt' him is always refreshing.
I have a roof over my head, sufficient food to eat, sufficient health to enjoy these things, and a family that loves me. No more need said.
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain'd,
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right." o/`
-- Traditional, written by Elder Joseph Brackett
For my non-sighted friends: the image displays an autumn colored burlap textured background with pictures of harvest vegetables and leaves in a cornucopia to one side and the words "Happy Thanksgiving...may you always have much for which to be thankful" in cursive script.
I mention this every year but it bears repeating: I'm thankful just to be alive to witness another Thanksgiving with my loved ones. I wasn't supposed to live this long. The initial estimate was for no more than thirty-five years. I'm thirty-eight years old now and I count not only every passing holiday but every single day a blessing.
This December will mark my first full year of chemotherapy; the disease isn't gone, but it's nearly under control and might possibly go into remission. I know chemotherapy is an odd thing for which to be grateful, but I am grateful nonetheless. A year ago I was so sick, miserable, and in pain that I was literally ready to shoot myself. While the chemotherapy does make me incredibly ill at times, it has also allowed me for the most part to have a more comfortable and enjoyable life. Even on the days I'm most tired and nauseated, it's still better than the alternative, which was slow death owing to open weeping wounds caused by abnormal skin cells.
My family and a few special friends made the suffering and the struggle to be here all worthwhile. When everyone else abandoned me, distanced themselves, broke ties or found themselves "too busy" to bother, these folks made phone calls, took us out to dinner, listened, ran errands, and executed my medical power of attorney when Fox couldn't be there. You know who you are, many thanks!
Dorie has been the shining light of all my dark afternoons for almost two years now. Frankly put, I cannot contemplate even one day without the friendly chatter, recipes, and bits of humor we trade throughout the work day. My heart would be empty, my soul not even half fulfilled without her presence. She opened up a part of me I never knew existed, to my everlasting and heartfelt gratitude.
Dee...my darkly shining one, my avenging angel, my lover and my friend. He's been with me for years, maybe since childhood, but neither had the courage to speak to the other until less than optimum circumstances forced us together. I can't possibly explain just how much I've benefited from our relationship and how much my heart and soul have grown because of the things we share and the discussions we have. I could never, ever regret having him in my life and I certainly couldn't imagine my life without him in it.
Mr. Shapeshifter has never once complained about marrying a wife and ending up taking care of an invalid. He does everything for me I can no longer manage, often anticipating my needs or without being asked. He's the love of my life, the keeper of my heart, and an all around gentleman. His innocence, in spite of my attempts to 'corrupt' him is always refreshing.
I have a roof over my head, sufficient food to eat, sufficient health to enjoy these things, and a family that loves me. No more need said.