It's good to be back with you and other kind folk with big hearts and poignant thoughts. I hope you're well.
A few years ago, I wrote a song "Today's a Gift" and in the chorus was "Todays a gift and I'm gonna be grateful for first world problem . . ." Obviously, this is a situation that millions of people deal with every year throughout the world. They just look different. We're particularly blessed with so much support.
Thanks for the kind words and support.
Recent days have me appreciating moments as you've astutely suggested
Thank you for sharing this Mark. I'm sure it's difficult to do. We were out to dinner with our dear friends last night. She was given a very dire prognosis six years ago and has undergone some difficult and taxing treatments but has kept her faith and spirits high. While not totally "in the clear," she has kept the disease at bay and we haven't seen her so radiant and happy in years. Hoping and praying for the same or better for you and Emily.
Hi Jim. First, you're welcome for my sharing. Yes, it's a bit of a challenge to divulge while respecting my wife's privacy - especially since she's my editor.
Emily's oncologist seems guardedly optimistic, so we're going to go with that flow. Stories like that of your friend are indeed encouraging and will be part of my next post on - what we've learned so far in our several months "adventure."
Thank you for the kind words, prayers and encouragement.
What does one say, Mark? We have it in my immediate family as well. I am moved that you could share this story with us. Without a doubt, this will be the hardest time you two have ever experienced together, and one that will be a glorious affirmation of the love you have shared all this time. I send wishes for strength.
Thank you, Sharron. It is indeed a tough row to hoe. Sorry your family had to go through similar trials. Regarding " a glorious affirmation of love," we're feeling a sense of some urgency in terms of not letting the associated stress from either of us bounce off on the other. Both of our plates are pretty full.
Oh Mark, I'm so sorry to hear this news about your wife. I have missed you here and was thinking you were just taking a well deserved break. I hope you are able to find some solace in your writing and the community you have built here while you and Emily tackle these next health challenges. it sounds like you are very lucky to have the doctors and specialists. I am thinking of you and sending you much love and healing vibes. Thank-you for sharing with us so we can do what little we can to lift your spirits when needed. xo
Thank you, Kim, for your kind words and support. It's certainly a different type "place" to work our way through. Encouragement through people like yourself and others here, take the edge off which is greatly appreciated.
I hope life is treating you and yours well. XO to you too.
I'm so sorry I missed this update! You have both been in my prayers We're here whenever you're in a safe place to let us know how you guys are doing. Love to you and Emily
Thank you, Joelle. We certainly appreciate the sentiments and prayers. Life has been particularly busy of late, but I do plan to share my thoughts in the not-too-distant future.
So many others have beat me to the punch and have expressed my thoughts so I don’t have much to add, but just know I’m holding you both in the light. I am so grateful for this forum and for your expression of what you’re going through.
So many others have beat me to the punch and have expressed my thoughts so I don’t have much to add, but just know I’m holding you both in the light. I am so grateful for this forum and for your expression of what you’re going through.
I'm very glad to hear you've found such a compassionate oncologist to guide the two of you through this phase.
Thank you for taking us delightfully back with you to Yellowstone and youth and the heady times when you two met. May there be enough hope and enough handholds on this moving train.
In some ways our joint experience over the past few months has been uplifting as we're becoming better acquainted with some very kind-hearted, salt of the earth type people. Not one of them will be likely to make the news, but they've chosen to do such emotionally taxing work - being those handholds as they escort people through their "valley of the shadow of death." Fortunately, we're not walking there ourselves, we just get occasional glimpses
We are truly blessed having each other and such a wide net of support along the way. Thanks, Tara, for being a small but meaningful part of that.
Experienced guides on this track for sure, Mark. Jumping off a train going the wrong direction; seeing that courage my friend.
Thanks Ron. Life indeed gets scary when the training wheels are off.
Every. Single. Moment. Is. A. Gift.
Cherish them. That goes for all of us.
I missed you, Mark. Blessings, my brother.
Good Morning -
It's good to be back with you and other kind folk with big hearts and poignant thoughts. I hope you're well.
A few years ago, I wrote a song "Today's a Gift" and in the chorus was "Todays a gift and I'm gonna be grateful for first world problem . . ." Obviously, this is a situation that millions of people deal with every year throughout the world. They just look different. We're particularly blessed with so much support.
Thanks for the kind words and support.
Recent days have me appreciating moments as you've astutely suggested
Thank you for sharing this Mark. I'm sure it's difficult to do. We were out to dinner with our dear friends last night. She was given a very dire prognosis six years ago and has undergone some difficult and taxing treatments but has kept her faith and spirits high. While not totally "in the clear," she has kept the disease at bay and we haven't seen her so radiant and happy in years. Hoping and praying for the same or better for you and Emily.
Hi Jim. First, you're welcome for my sharing. Yes, it's a bit of a challenge to divulge while respecting my wife's privacy - especially since she's my editor.
Emily's oncologist seems guardedly optimistic, so we're going to go with that flow. Stories like that of your friend are indeed encouraging and will be part of my next post on - what we've learned so far in our several months "adventure."
Thank you for the kind words, prayers and encouragement.
What does one say, Mark? We have it in my immediate family as well. I am moved that you could share this story with us. Without a doubt, this will be the hardest time you two have ever experienced together, and one that will be a glorious affirmation of the love you have shared all this time. I send wishes for strength.
Thank you, Sharron. It is indeed a tough row to hoe. Sorry your family had to go through similar trials. Regarding " a glorious affirmation of love," we're feeling a sense of some urgency in terms of not letting the associated stress from either of us bounce off on the other. Both of our plates are pretty full.
Oh Mark, I'm so sorry to hear this news about your wife. I have missed you here and was thinking you were just taking a well deserved break. I hope you are able to find some solace in your writing and the community you have built here while you and Emily tackle these next health challenges. it sounds like you are very lucky to have the doctors and specialists. I am thinking of you and sending you much love and healing vibes. Thank-you for sharing with us so we can do what little we can to lift your spirits when needed. xo
Thank you, Kim, for your kind words and support. It's certainly a different type "place" to work our way through. Encouragement through people like yourself and others here, take the edge off which is greatly appreciated.
I hope life is treating you and yours well. XO to you too.
I'm so sorry I missed this update! You have both been in my prayers We're here whenever you're in a safe place to let us know how you guys are doing. Love to you and Emily
Thank you, Joelle. We certainly appreciate the sentiments and prayers. Life has been particularly busy of late, but I do plan to share my thoughts in the not-too-distant future.
So many others have beat me to the punch and have expressed my thoughts so I don’t have much to add, but just know I’m holding you both in the light. I am so grateful for this forum and for your expression of what you’re going through.
Thank you, Priscilla, and you are welcome. I hope life is treating you well.
So many others have beat me to the punch and have expressed my thoughts so I don’t have much to add, but just know I’m holding you both in the light. I am so grateful for this forum and for your expression of what you’re going through.
Thank you for sharing this, Mark. Just remember that there are people you’ve never even met who are send you and Emily strength and hope!
Thank you, Louise - so very true and at least tangentially related to the follow-up post I'm working on.
I'm very glad to hear you've found such a compassionate oncologist to guide the two of you through this phase.
Thank you for taking us delightfully back with you to Yellowstone and youth and the heady times when you two met. May there be enough hope and enough handholds on this moving train.
In some ways our joint experience over the past few months has been uplifting as we're becoming better acquainted with some very kind-hearted, salt of the earth type people. Not one of them will be likely to make the news, but they've chosen to do such emotionally taxing work - being those handholds as they escort people through their "valley of the shadow of death." Fortunately, we're not walking there ourselves, we just get occasional glimpses
We are truly blessed having each other and such a wide net of support along the way. Thanks, Tara, for being a small but meaningful part of that.
Will stay tuned. v, best
Sending love and hugs to both of you !
Thanks Alyssa - always appreciated.
Oh, I hope Emily's going to be OK. Take care on her healing journey, both of you.
Many Thanks Diana - she was out working in her gardens for a couple hours today, so life is good. I hope you're well also.
Glad to hear it! Thanks, Mark.