My cousin Sharon has a real gift of prayer and man, when she prays over me, I feel like God's got his hand right on my head, touching me. Her every word packs powerful imagery and is filled with recognition of God's power and his love for each of us. I love it when Sharon prays for me. I almost feel unworthy of the prayers she says over me. I want to say, "But I'm not all that good! I don't deserve this love!" But last night was something like that, too. I hope my words back to you, my friends, resonate in some small way, especially with those of you who have done so much to show your support for me in this very tangible way. Thank you for your words of love and healing and power and God's spirit over me.
Luke 6:38 says: "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." I don't think I've ever done anything to merit what's been given to me these last few days, but it sure feels pressed down, shaken together, running over and poured into my lap. I am really grateful beyond my capacity to tell you but my hope is that you will have some sense of the measure of it.
There were so many people who came to play bingo, buy jewelry and just support my personal cause last night. Some I didn't even know, some were long-time friends of the family and some were my very beloved family. I think I was most surprised by the people who didn't even know me, but just wanted to spread the love. One lady told me she didn't know me, but she saw the ad my cousins placed in the Coal Valley News for the Bingo fundraiser and having just gone through chemo and a mastectomy, she wanted to come out and show her support for me. Man, stuff like that just makes the tears flow like water with me. God is so good and his people can be so good, too.
I was especially moved that my family supported me in such an obvious way. I mean, they basically got this event planned then sort of informed me they were doing it and hoped I could be there. They know--because they're just like me--that I would never ask for them for help. It's one of those things that I've always been somewhat prideful about. I am realizing that it is not good to be that way, but the great part of this is that I've been pretty blessed while learning this important lesson.
For those who may not know or wonder why they felt I might merit a fundraiser, Pat and I have had some extra expenses with my medical treatment since I'm going out of town to Duke, which means overnight stays at hotels and meals, not to mention the cost that goes along with any cancer treatment. And I've gone through this before, and anyone who has knows how quickly this illness can drain a savings account. It is true that it was my choice not to be treated here at home, but there were good reasons for that decision. Here in Charleston, my first cancer in 2006--oral cancer--was misdiagnosed as a benign condition, and then last summer, the tumors in my breast were said to be benign as well. Just didn't leave me with a lot of confidence in the care I've been able to get here in WV. I don't mean to be sharing too much and I've really tried to avoid talking much about being sick on FB or elsewhere, but at the same time, I feel some of you may wonder why I am going out of town for treatment. I am sure there are great doctors in our city and I've been fortunate enough to have a few, but since the stakes are so high, I felt I wanted to go to the best place I possibly could. I am blessed to have a husband who supported that decision.
Okay, now that I've got that all 'splained, I want to give thanks for my wonderful family who saw a need and gave from their hearts. I adore them! Sisters Milisa, Inza and Tresa were there doing some heavy lifting and organizing and my cousins Tabatha, Gloria and her husband Joe, Dianne and son Donnie, Bev, Nicole, Tina, Vera and Vickie Tyler-Slater who is my cousin in love, even if not blood. I can't say enough good things about this bunch or the way they've been there for me. Some of them came a long way and obviously went out of there way to be with me last night and I hope I was able to express to them how much it meant to me. They're all beautiful and wonderful and special. And they're my cousins!! I was also really glad to see my ex-sister-in-law Nancy (still very much part of my family) and her boyfriend, Scott, there, too. They make such a good-looking pair and I was happy to see Nancy happy.
Then there was my wonderful Premier Designs jewelry family! Wonderful Dorothy Prudich (who along with my cousin Milisa, really started the whole idea of a fundraiser on my behalf) and her crew of Lisa Means and Linda (neither of whom knew me, but have a heart for love and service), were there to show jewelry and help raise money, along with my sweet and beautiful cousin Tabatha, who came even though her husband Blake is just getting over very serious health scare. Then I also have to really give a shout out to Kelly and Julie Stewart from my Georgia Premier family, who were there with their two cute Yorkshire Terriers. (I ask you, would an event for me be complete if dogs were not a part of it?) I've only spent a single day in Kelly and Julie's home, yet they treated me as if I were a valued friend.
I also want to share that Premier Designs jewelry company had been a real blessing to me in the midst of all the stuff that has been going on in my life. One of the great things they did for me was to suspend my active membership as a designer until I can be well and active in the company again. This effectively freezes my license and keeps the clock from ticking on the jeweler fee I've paid which enables me to sell their jewelry. I had just started with Premier when my Mom had her car accident and then I was diagnosed, so I wasn't really able to get a full head of steam going with them. My cuz Milisa who is my upline has told me many times that this is a company built on Godly principles and I've sure seen it to be true. Once notified of my situation, they quickly let me know I needn't worry about trying to stay active in sales as I was dealing with health issues. I don't know any other company who would do so much for someone who'd been with them such a short time. I hope when I get back to being healthy again, I can bring more people and friends into the Premier fold. Not only is their jewelry beautiful and guaranteed, they are devoted to making life better for their employees. They've proven to me that they not only talk the talk, they walk it. Those are the kind of folks I want to be part of my life.
Several of my friends told me how cool they thought it was that I was so close to my family and that my Premier family had turned out to support me, too. I was really proud of both families and really glad to show all of you off to those who are my friends, but not relatives. It's like having a spouse that everybody likes (and I do have one of those): it only reflects well on the other half. You all sure made me look good last night.
Then there were my former co-workers, some of whom were working the concession stand and didn't get to get out and get about and hobnob with everyone else: My dear friend from the first time we met, Beth, along with her new husband Virgil Lipscomb (they're so cute; still honeymooning). Beth is a supremely talented cook and brought cookies to share with us. She also sold some at work earlier in the day to aid my cause. Isn't that cool? Of course, Beth's cookies are a bargain at any price. They're like carbohydrate crack; I crave them fortnightly. I was thankful to also see my favorite Marmetian: the always-helpful and loving, point-me-in-the-direction-I'm-needed Terri Bray, and the endlessly talented and funny Deadra Cummins. I had so much fun with all of them when we worked together. It's really crazy and wonderful all at the same time that people I worked with on what is now going on eight years ago still think enough of me to be there for me. I don't miss the work so much, but I really do miss all my good friends back at Guthrie & Thomas. It's nice that I can still see them and hug their necks and tell them how much I miss them. They're good people.
But man, I absolutely cannot forget to thank my favorite Twister Sisters (or is that Twisted Sisters?), Teresa O'Cassidy and Lois Swannigan, who both went to high school with me. Along with my fabulous cousin Inza--who, incidentally, is part of another Twisted Sister act ; - ), they made up "The Lunch Crew." This is the great name they thought up for us since we've had some really LONG, but fun and laughter-filled luncheons, They actually brought Elvis wigs for the four of us to wear just to make me hoot with laughter--which it did--and then proceeded to present me with pretty much all I'll ever need vanity-wise to get through all this dealio. They gave me a cool hat, a "hair hat," and other really cute caps that will be perfect for the very near day when my hair is all gone. Thanks to Teresa, for going on behalf of the the group to Resolutions II to round all that great stuff up for me. Baby, you know what I like!
We're supposed to wear the Elvis wigs at a future luncheon date . . . I can't wait for the pictures that will follow that particular outing. I think I'm blessed to have such funny, creative friends who find ways to make me laugh my fool head off.
This morning, I found bags of mints and gum and snacks in the kitchen and asked where they came from and Pat said, "Those crazy girls." He meant my loving friends, The Lunch Crew. These girls make me laugh and help me forget the cares of any day. And, btw, ladies, the only thing that tasted really good to me today were the peanut-butter snack things from those bags. Gotta love that and you!
I also really appreciate Jill McCormick for all she did in helping out before and after this shindig. She helped stay and clean and do all the end of the evening stuff. She was the last of the bunch that left and the rest of them were my family members. She didn't have to do all that, but she did and I really appreciated it. Long ago, I got a wonderful and much-loved Scottish Terrier from Jill and her husband Mike. Isn't it funny how things come around on the banjo? Mom says she doesn't know what I mean when I say that, but I think you get the gist.
I also had some other pals from high school representing: I can't forget my beautiful, wise and sweet friends: Sharon Cullop and Paula Meadows, Janie Belcher and Vickie Dingess. My Mom always says when she talks about Sharon: "She really loves you, Russie." Sharon has called a lot since I've been sick and talked to my Mom, getting updates. Sharon has had her own bout with this kind of stuff and she knows just about how I'm feeling. Sharon's two beautiful daughters, Jessie and Olivia were there, too. I love Sharon's girls so much and it just tickled me no end to see them. Olivia even gave me one of the prizes she won and told me she wouldn't be using napkin rings, but hoped I could use them instead. (She's just a little bitty thing, so this cracked me up.) An Sharona, here's what I have to say to you personally: Love You, MEAN IT!
My old school chum, Paula Meadows, has sent me some hilarious and uplifting cards and assured me she has others waiting to be sent. She was double-booked for the evening, missing the early part of a shower for her niece, but still came to be with me and stayed for as long as she could before leaving. Isn't that cool? And caring? And Vickie Dingess is just the same smiling, beautiful babe she was in high school. I was simply honored that she came out to support me. And grateful that she can keep secrets. [Smile.]
And that cutie Janie Belcher . . . I don't have enough words to say just how adorable she is. She and her beautiful daughter Hannah were there playing Bingo with us and I was so pleased to see them there. Her Mom and my Mom have been the best of buds since they worked together and Janie and I have been friends since my Mom, her Mom, Karen Webb and her Mom and Janie and I all went to Myrtle Beach for my first time there. What fun we had! Janie and her Mom, Peggy McCallister, are people we know we can count on to bring the love when we need it.
Another person who stopped by but I didn't get to spend enough time with was my first grade to forever friend Cathy Caruthers and her partner Mary Jo. I walked outside to the jungle gyms to see their two active young boys, well, in action! Cathy has been my friend for as long as I can remember. Unlike my family--who are stuck with me--she has chosen to keep me as her friend. And what a good friend she has been. The last time I was sick, Cathy was the first among my friends to call and say, "What can we do?" And she really meant for me to tell her. She's a shrink by profession and knows me pretty well, so her words of wisdom have a tendency to resonate with me. Last time, she kind of talked me back down from my scared place and I don't think I've looked back since.
And I have to give thanks, last, but not least, to my great college buddies, Randy Coleman and David "Chief" Pennington, who came such a long way to just say hello and wish me well. I was so surprised to see them, but it sure felt good to know they thought enough of me to come from Bristol and Johnson City, TN, to let me know they cared how I was faring. They saw the event on FB and just decided to come be with us. They're both pretty big deals, so I felt even more grateful they took most of a weekend to spend in Charleston for me. Pat and I spent the morning/afternoon with them at I-Hop today, swapping stories and laughing a lot and making a new memory. Time has only improved these fellas and they were pretty doggone good to start with.
Blessings, blessings, blessings.
Yesterday and today, I felt such a sense of gratefulness and awe at all that has been done on my behalf by people I so admire and hold dear. It's been a wonderful lesson to us to just hold still and let people love us. I hope you all feel the love I send back to each and every one of you in return.
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