When I was first diagnosed with terminal cancer, I had the mistaken idea that I would have professionals who would help me understand what was happening and what I/we would do about it. I felt I needed someone to hold my hand and lead me along…

Every once in a while, I think I’d like to go on a trip. An adventure. Maybe a return to the southern coast of Oaxaca, Mexico to a small beach town called San Agustinillo. And it would be really cool to visit the wildlife refuge near there at La Ventanilla…

I’ve been on this trek (more arduous than a journey) with terminal cancer for a year now. For six months or so, I kept silent about my diagnosis to give me time to process and adjust with my family and a few close friends…

In a bit of a recycle of information, I ran across a post I wrote in 2018. Four years ago. I wrote it thinking about the woman I would like to be in my “older” age, like 80s and 90s. It was a list of things I would quit doing to make my life more intentionally…

Cancer. Not a diagnosis anyone wants to hear. But many of us will hear it, if we live long enough. One source tells me that 25% of us will have cancer at some point in our lives. I was a month out from having a hip replaced when I was admitted to the hospital…

When my mother was the age that I am now, I had five children, ages 11 to 3. I was home schooling all of them, making food from scratch, and living my best earth-mother-type life. And, I had a neuro-muscular disease…

Some things I have mastered. Mostly, things that I’ve done over and over, often with little attention. Things like driving a car. Or riding a bicycle. Or brewing a pot of coffee. No need for deep thought or remembering details…

For the first 60 years or so of our lives, we are on a well-marked super highway with plenty of directional signs. Graduate from High School. Go to College. Choose a career. Earn money. Buy a house, have a car, create a life. Maybe find a spouse…

I’m in my ThirdThird now (ages 60-90) and I find there are things I used to care a lot more about than I do now. Priorities, experience, wisdom, adapting – whatever the reason, I am much more flexible in my thinking. The result? Less stress. More joy. A greater appreciation for each day, each opportunity, each interaction…

I saw a meme on Facebook last week with the following instruction: “think of one thing that makes you happy and smile.” Not, “think of something that makes you happy and makes you smile,” but “think of something that makes you happy… and then, smile!”