To everything there is a season,
a time for every purpose under the sun.
A time to be born and a time to die;
a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

 

Happy Halloween!   I haven't blogged lately because the hard drive of my PC (which I bought only 3 1/2 years ago) crashed and it took several days to get it repaired.   I will post more later when I have more substantive matters to write about (maybe after the election!).  I stood in line for 1 and 1/2 hours so that I could vote early on Monday.   I am so concerned about the future of our country.  This election is crucial ... please be sure to vote!!! ♥

“Death is not the greatest loss in life.
The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.” ~ Norman Cousins

 

 

 

My beloved friend with pancreatic cancer is in the last stages of that horrible disease.  It is so painful to watch her life slipping away.   All who know and love her have so much admiration for her in how she has courageously battled this illness, always keeping a positive attitude and hopeful outlook.  Sadly, now the hope is gone and she is succumbing to the fourth highest cause of cancer death in this country.  The best that we can do for her is pray that her suffering ends peacefully.

 

I vividly recall watching Diane Sawyer's interviews with Randy Pausch, the young college professor who also fought this horrific disease, who finally gave up his fight in July 2008.  I was so touched by his book The Last Lecture that I gave copies of it to all three of my grown children.   And, of course, Steve Jobs died just a year ago from pancreatic cancer, but a less aggressive form. 

 

Experts say that the biggest causes of pancreatic cancer are smoking and heredity.  But the fact that all types of cancer are now so widespread must also be due to all the chemicals we ingest and the air that we breathe.   Ironically, it seems that deadly cancer, which saps the physical attributes of its victims, brings out an inner strength and resilience that defies medicine.   Perhaps it is the soul preparing for its journey. ♥ 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BOwuQy4HmU

Postscript:  October 17.  She gave up her courageous and valiant battle very early this morning.  Please join in the battle against this deadly disease:  http://www.pancan.org/index.php.