Energy boost

After the last chemo, I laid around for more days than I would like. My energy was low and I didn’t have much to write; each day looked like the one before it.

Despite my low ability to get around, we decided to go ahead with a planned trip to Naples, Florida. Last Tuesday, with quite a bit of help, I was able to travel with my family. Once we arrived, I spent the first two days in bed while they explored the beach and pool. For me, it was more of the same, just new surroundings, but the kids were having fun and it was nice to have some new scenery.

A friend of mine, a wonderful woman I met on one of my trips to see John of God in Abadiania, Brazil, lives in Naples. She had JUST returned to town (again from Abadiania, Brazil) and texted me on Wednesday morning that, that very night, there would be a crystal bowl meditation with a focus on the Divine Mother. Did I want to go?

Wow. Crystal bowls, meditation and Divine Mother. Any one of those would get me there. Yes.

With some effort, I got dressed, put on make-up and made my way downstairs, where my friend picked me up.

The meditation was being held in a salt cave. More coolness (even literally). We arrived early so that I could sit near the large crystal gifted to the owner from John of God and the entities. (That is a story in itself.)

Before the session began, the owner showed my friend and me some of the bowls she would be playing, and I suddenly felt Shira beside me, smiling and laughing. Of course. Shira was the first one to introduce me to crystal bowls and sound healing, and she owned a few that she played beautifully. They gave her much joy. And another connection: Shira traveled to Brazil with my friend even before I did! I loved feeling her there with both of us.

The meditation lasted about an hour and a half, and afterwards, I got to visit with my friend, staying up later than I had in weeks. These events shifted my energy for the rest of the trip. The next day, I could get out of bed early, leave the room, enjoy the resort, and even eat a couple of real meals of solid food! That may not sound like much, but it was a big shift for me.

I remain surprised and grateful for the things that arise to keep me going. Deep gratitude to my friend for initiating all this.

And I hope that, as you read this, you know that you are on your way to your next energy boost as well. You never know where it will come from, or whose energy you will boost by your thoughtful actions!

Love,
Marie

Miracles so far this week

So far, the chemo break is fabulous, though it presents dilemmas of a different sort.

But that is a topic for another time. For today, I will share some of the happy miracles of the week so far.

On Monday, I decided that I wanted to make steamed dumplings. I had a small bit of chicken and I actually had the rice wrappers in my freezer. I could add peas (also in my freezer) and scallions. I’ve never made them before but how hard could it be?

I thawed the rice wrappers and chopped the scallions. I set everything up like an assembly line and started to improvise.

On Monday nights, Puspa helps us out. Puspa just started college. She has lived in the United States for the past five years or so, but was born and raised – until 5 years ago – in Nepal. She noticed my inept beginnings, as I tried to construct and wrap one dumpling, and kindly asked if she could help.

I watched her demonstration in awe as she folded the sides on one half of the dumpling wrapper, knew exactly how much stuffing it would hold and sealed it closed. She even wrapped the ends around to make a beautiful, bite-sized morsel.

As I gushed about her skill, she laughingly said, “I’ve made hundreds of these.” I pictured a kitchen filled with generations of women chatting and making a meal together, the older female relatives doing the more complicated parts of the meal while the younger girls sat doing the repetitive dumpling-making. Kind of how I learned to make gnocchi.

Miracle #1: My urge to make Asian dumplings on a day when there was actually an in-house Asian dumpling expert!

Miracle #2

I woke early on a beautiful Wednesday morning, thinking that I would like to meditate outside but didn’t want to do my same old thing. So I went back to sleep.

When I woke again, I felt a strong urge to look at the cover of a book called The Way of Boys. I knew the author is Anthony Rao but suddenly noticed the name of the co-author, Michelle Seaton.

Later that day, a friend wrote to me about a type of meditation that is lovely to do outside. Did I want to learn about it?

AND, she told me a bit about Michelle Seaton’s latest project. “Had I heard of her?”

So cool!

Miracle #3

For the past couple of years, my friend Lisa has been recommending that I see this particular bodywork person. “I can’t explain what he does. He is just gifted.”

I put off calling.

More recently, I was having tea with Natasha, who recommended that same bodywork person. “I can’t explain what he does. He is just gifted.”

THEN he walked into the cafe, so Natasha introduced us and told him that I needed to see him.

“Email me directly,” he offered. “I will squeeze you in.”

Apparently, this is rare. But did I take him up on it? No, I did not.

This week, on Wednesday, Natasha called. She couldn’t use her appointment and would I be able to take it? This time, I had to step up. Yes.

I can’t explain what he does. He is just gifted. I was transported. I learned a lot about the impact on my body of all this inactivity. And I am so grateful for Natasha and Lisa pointing me in this direction and to God and Natasha for putting that opportunity right in my face.

Miracle #4

As I prayed for the health of the many people I know who are dealing with cancer and other challenges, I realized that three of those for whom I pray by name got good news this week. I gave enormous thanks for answered prayers and, of course, asked for more, confident that that well has no bottom.

Thank you, too, for being here, through everything. I pray that you are happy with the miracles that are unfolding in your life every day, and that you feel the love, blessings and prayers always.

Marie