Jun 22, 2022Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Carmen Radley
As a 3 time breast cancer survivor, I always speak of “dancing with the cancer” rather than “fighting” it. Speak to it and say firmly, “You have visited, but it is time to leave.”
Jun 22, 2022Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Carmen Radley
“When you feel like you can’t be brave any longer, let the people who love you take over for just a little while, because deep inside you are very, very brave.”
I worked with children and young people in schools for many years and now I am a pediatric chaplain. Bravery seems to be something that children aspire to. But they also need to know that taking a break is ok too. May God be with you on this journey.
Jun 22, 2022·edited Jun 22, 2022Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Carmen Radley
When my daughter was going through everything with treatment and her bone marrow transplant, we often came up against things she was frustrated about ( and I was as well) or things that didn't seem doable. We started taking a breath and saying "It's just a for now, not a forever". We still use it all time - it started when she was 7 and still works now at 12.
Sending love and light, hope and hugs for you both!
Jun 22, 2022Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Carmen Radley
"You may be on your own. But you won't be alone."
This quote comes from the achingly beautiful book Pax by Sara Pennypacker, which Lightseeker's son might wish to read or listen to. A boy not much older endures his own unexpected ordeal. Sending love and light and hope to Lightseeker and son. ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
What ever quotes, words of wisdom, you send mom, I would encourage her to think about what matters to her son. What does he think about he dreams about? What does he care about? What does he like? What does he read? I would try to build something of the sort that she’s pointing to from her conversations with him as much as what we might send. Just a general conversation with him about what he might be reading what he might be enjoying doing, what he dreams about. Then create at least some of what she puts up based on what is important to him. If she needs help having that conversation with him, she can reach out to the child life specialist where he gets treatment. Those are my thoughts. I hope they help.
Jun 22, 2022·edited Jun 23, 2022Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Carmen Radley
My mother offered mystic Julian of Norwich to me - there is something about words, and the 'sh' sound like a murmur, and the shift in what word gets attention when I say it so stressing 'be' in the last line brings being itself into wholeness, no matter the moment.
all shall be well
and all shall be well
and all manner of things shall be well
I will think of this 8 year old prince of a warrior in the meantime, surrounded by love.
Oh, Lightseeker, my heart is with you and your family. In my first year of marriage, I painted a sign that I hung over our bed. I find such comfort in the reminder: "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you." For your sweet boy, this quote from A.A. Milne might be a helpful reminder of how much he is cherished by each of you: “Any day spent with you is my favorite day. So today is my new favorite day.” Much love, strength and peace to each of you.
Jun 22, 2022Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Carmen Radley
Mine is very similar to yours, Suleika. When I was at the lowest point of my life, my dad said "I'm going to tell you something your grandmother used to tell me - 'This too will pass.'" I sort of brushed it off - it seemed trite. But I found myself referring to it over and over again - reminding myself that bad things pass - and even good things, too. So I have to remind myself to be present - to absorb every memory, every molecule of goodness from when things are going well. And not to get too mired in the bad when things aren't going well, because "this too will pass." Not 100% an eight year old might relate to that, though! :-)
Jun 22, 2022Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Carmen Radley
My dear,
In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love.
In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile.
In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm.
I realized, through it all, that…
In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.
And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.
Jun 22, 2022Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Carmen Radley
"Feel the fear and do it any way."
I had a miscarriage earlier this year. It was my first pregnancy and it was an absolutely devastating experience. I keep this mantra in mind as we continue on our journey to hopefully one day soon, become parents.
Jun 22, 2022Liked by Suleika Jaouad, Carmen Radley
Suleika,
First, I love Winnie the Pooh too! And Charlie’s book is incredible.
When I’m in a dark neighborhood in my mind, I remember Star Wars and Yoda. “Use the force” and I imagine a luminous light within and around me. I also say, this is only temporary. I am loved beyond measure. Music is alchemy too! I love Stevie Wonder and your Jon. (Batiste). And dancing even if I’m in a chair or bed. Sending love. ♥️
As a 3 time breast cancer survivor, I always speak of “dancing with the cancer” rather than “fighting” it. Speak to it and say firmly, “You have visited, but it is time to leave.”
Fighting creates hatred and negative energy.
Oh sweet boy. Things I've told myself during the hardest moments and seasons of life:
Let it possible. Let it be possible. Let it be possible.
You are more than what hurts, more than the pain, more than the fear.
There is joy and laughter to be found even in the darkest of seasons.
It's okay to feel it all: the terror and grief, the beauty and hope, everything in between.
"Because you are alive, everything is possible." Thich Nhat Hanh
“When you feel like you can’t be brave any longer, let the people who love you take over for just a little while, because deep inside you are very, very brave.”
I worked with children and young people in schools for many years and now I am a pediatric chaplain. Bravery seems to be something that children aspire to. But they also need to know that taking a break is ok too. May God be with you on this journey.
Sandy
When my daughter was going through everything with treatment and her bone marrow transplant, we often came up against things she was frustrated about ( and I was as well) or things that didn't seem doable. We started taking a breath and saying "It's just a for now, not a forever". We still use it all time - it started when she was 7 and still works now at 12.
Sending love and light, hope and hugs for you both!
http://www.phys.unm.edu/~tw/fas/yits/archive/oliver_wildgeese.html
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting -
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.
"You may be on your own. But you won't be alone."
This quote comes from the achingly beautiful book Pax by Sara Pennypacker, which Lightseeker's son might wish to read or listen to. A boy not much older endures his own unexpected ordeal. Sending love and light and hope to Lightseeker and son. ♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
“Do not be led by fear;
fear cannot lead you out
of the dark. Find whatever
bits of hope you can--
a trail of even the smallest
bread crumbs, even the
tiniest pebbles reflecting the
moonlight-- and follow them.
Keep Moving.”
From Maggie Smith’s collection of poetry “Keep Moving”
i love this oscar wilde quote:
"everything is going to be fine in the end; if it's not fine, it's not the end."
thanks to all for sharing what you're sharing. love to you all!
Dear Susu,
What ever quotes, words of wisdom, you send mom, I would encourage her to think about what matters to her son. What does he think about he dreams about? What does he care about? What does he like? What does he read? I would try to build something of the sort that she’s pointing to from her conversations with him as much as what we might send. Just a general conversation with him about what he might be reading what he might be enjoying doing, what he dreams about. Then create at least some of what she puts up based on what is important to him. If she needs help having that conversation with him, she can reach out to the child life specialist where he gets treatment. Those are my thoughts. I hope they help.
My mother offered mystic Julian of Norwich to me - there is something about words, and the 'sh' sound like a murmur, and the shift in what word gets attention when I say it so stressing 'be' in the last line brings being itself into wholeness, no matter the moment.
all shall be well
and all shall be well
and all manner of things shall be well
I will think of this 8 year old prince of a warrior in the meantime, surrounded by love.
Oh, Lightseeker, my heart is with you and your family. In my first year of marriage, I painted a sign that I hung over our bed. I find such comfort in the reminder: "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you." For your sweet boy, this quote from A.A. Milne might be a helpful reminder of how much he is cherished by each of you: “Any day spent with you is my favorite day. So today is my new favorite day.” Much love, strength and peace to each of you.
Mine is very similar to yours, Suleika. When I was at the lowest point of my life, my dad said "I'm going to tell you something your grandmother used to tell me - 'This too will pass.'" I sort of brushed it off - it seemed trite. But I found myself referring to it over and over again - reminding myself that bad things pass - and even good things, too. So I have to remind myself to be present - to absorb every memory, every molecule of goodness from when things are going well. And not to get too mired in the bad when things aren't going well, because "this too will pass." Not 100% an eight year old might relate to that, though! :-)
My dear,
In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love.
In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile.
In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm.
I realized, through it all, that…
In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.
And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.
Truly yours
– Albert Camus, The Stranger
"Feel the fear and do it any way."
I had a miscarriage earlier this year. It was my first pregnancy and it was an absolutely devastating experience. I keep this mantra in mind as we continue on our journey to hopefully one day soon, become parents.
Everyday and in every way I’m getting better and better.
I’m stronger today than I was yesterday, but not as strong as I will be tomorrow.
I will be healed.
I am healing
I am healed.
I am cancer free now and forever.
Suleika,
First, I love Winnie the Pooh too! And Charlie’s book is incredible.
When I’m in a dark neighborhood in my mind, I remember Star Wars and Yoda. “Use the force” and I imagine a luminous light within and around me. I also say, this is only temporary. I am loved beyond measure. Music is alchemy too! I love Stevie Wonder and your Jon. (Batiste). And dancing even if I’m in a chair or bed. Sending love. ♥️