Archive | October 2023

Living in the now

Oct29

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The future is unpredictable 

Especially when you have been diagnosed with cancer

There is always the chance of recurrence down the line 

But you can’t think like that 

You can’t think you are totally healthy either 

Because that may not end up being true 

So what do I do? 

I am healthy right now 

Relatively anyway 

So I’ll focus on that 

And appreciate each day

I am healthy and I’m getting the best treatment possible 

So, I’m grateful 

And I’m thankful for the lessons I have learned

And what I can share with others

Which will hopefully make a difference 

The future is unpredictable 

But I will live in the present 

And appreciate now! 

October 25, 2023

It’s only your body

Oct29

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It was difficult to lose my hair

Mom, it was only your body

You looked beautiful anyways 

You eyes shone bright as always 

I have scars across and under my breasts

Mom, you know that the physical matters not

Your spirit is strong and untouched 

I have little dots tattooed on me for radiation

Mom, no one sees them anyway

Your smile is as beautiful as always 

I have a portocath in my arm

It pulls sometimes when I stretch

Mom, it’s only your body

And you are as active as before anyway

I no longer have my breasts 

That’s also only your body

Your soul shines bright everyday 

October 27, 2023

The gift of time

Oct27


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When you overcome an illness

There is a sense that it was meant to be

That you are meant to be here still

And continue this physical existence a little longer

When you overcome an illness

You don’t take life for granted

You know that your time on this earth is limited

And you need to use it wisely 

There is nothing wrong with our existence after this life

As the spirit’s life is never ending

But we are here for a purpose

And need to use our talents and abilities

In the service of our community 

When you overcome an illness

Life becomes more precious

Time becomes more valuable

Projects becomes more urgent 

Family becomes more important

And you become grateful for the gift of time

October 29th, 2023

Life after retirement

Oct21

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Life after retirement can be very full and fulfilling too

I can do all the things I love to do 

Writing and publishing 

Interviewing and translating

Serving on various committees 

Travelling 

Staying in touch with my high school friends 

And having stimulating and funny exchanges with them

There are a few other things I do regularly too

And all of them bring me a lot of joy 

Yes, there is housework and paper work and those need to be done

But if the rest of the time I’m busy with what I like

A little housework didn’t hurt anyone 

October 21, 2023

Lida things

Oct4

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I am Lida, doing Lida things

Making decisions on a whim

Thinking about them deeply later

Being impatient

Unable to sit still

Needing a change of scenery regularly

Writing in a coffee shop

Pouring my heart out

Without writing, my life not complete

Ready to plan a trip anytime

Go anywhere

Visiting friends and family

Wearing bright colours in the winter

And dresses all summer long

Enjoying bling on my fingers

Appreciating abstract art

Loving collage with Washi

Making my crazy collage cups

Enjoying deep discussions 

Loving laughing out loud

What is life without joy and meaning?

Thinking nothing will ever go wrong

Until it does

I’m the queen of optimism, seriously! 

But in all this I need a rock

A calm person I can rely on

Someone who can make me laugh

A constant presence that will support me

I am Lida doing Lida things

Being encouraged by those who love me

October 3, 2023

A dream visit

Oct2

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I saw him in my dream last night

It had been a while

He was in long term care

And I was visiting him

He was just waking up from a nap

And he was happy to see me

He was in a wheel chair

He was not in his best shape

I usually dream of him as a healthy man

Wearing a beautiful suit and standing tall

Now, he was frail

We spent some time together

I wanted to take him out for a stroll

But he said he was tired

So I reluctantly said good bye

I wondered to myself why I wasn’t visiting him more often

And I felt sad that he had to be alone so much of the time

September 26th, 2023