Death, the great unknown, the final journey we must take alone. It comes to us all, without warning or delay, and leaves us with nothing but memories to stay. It's a journey we can't escape, a fate we must all embrace. It's the end of our mortal coil, the release from our earthly toil. It's a mystery, a question mark, a shadow that looms in the dark. But it's also a natural part of life, the end of our struggles and strif...

Today, I celebrate life. After I found out I had cancer, There was a time When I didn't know if I would Live to see tomorrow or another year. I could have died and left you sad and alone. But after months of treatments and a year and a half later. I received the news I longed to hear... No more cancer you're all clear. Today, I stand before you To let you know that I celebrate life. By the grace of God I am a survivor And...

It's always when the dust settles that another gust of wind blows it back up in the air. Just when I thought I was barely okay, I received a text from an ex. This wasn't necessarily uncommon for me but not for the reason you may think. I've always felt that if you enter a romantic partnership with someone, you must establish a form of friendship. I know this may be pessimistic, but when the relationship eventually fails,...

Hi, folks.My name is Bruiser. I'm a little dachshund. I weigh in at five pounds soaking wet. I'm two years old. I'm adorable and playful.But enough about me. This story is about my human Mommy and Daddy.I was just sitting there eavesdropping under the coffee table as my humans had a conversation about my human Mommy and her doctor's appointment yesterday. Her doctor wanted her to go see an oncologist. I wondered what that...

I've been seeing more monsters recently. Just last week I saw one hanging on the wall. I bayed at it. Boss lifted me up to touch it. Just a new painting. I can smell a monster around. Boss breathes in and out. I smell the monster. I have this. I am on the job. Even at bedtime. Especially at bedtime, I am with Boss. Smelling for the monster. Bedtime, naptime, walkies time. Guarding our territory.  Always on alert. Smelling...

Butterflies and bees danced under the summer sun as Gail walked to the raspberry patch. The heat was increasing as the day wore on but was still bearable. With the lake as her pool, the heat did not really matter to Gail. She would re-apply sunscreen and go for a dip later. Finding a bush with plenty of ripe, red berries, Gail started picking. Her husband Michael was grilling a trout he had caught for dinner. The berries...

She stared at her reflection: silver-streaked hair, laughter lines, dark circles beneath her eyes. She looked middle-aged. Was middle-aged. Where were the white hair and deep creases of later years she’d expected to see as her end neared? Too soon… way too soon. Thoughts of a missed future – of laughing grandchildren, long summer days pottering outside, retirement holidays in far-flung places – threatened to bring tears....

  Whack!  Whack! There was a long pause and then, once again... Whack! She tossed the fallen limb down onto the forest floor beside the trail. It had served its purpose. Then she nodded at the hikers who were passing hesitantly by her along the pathway.  This was the last time. The latest results showed no sign of cancer. Perhaps not gone. But no sign. It was good enough. She was putting aside the tree whackers for now. T...

I lost a friend today  She was a shining star She fought every day She really came far    She lost her mom today Who was loving and kind Her battle lasted years  Now her kids are in a bind   They lost their dad today He was a really great guy He thought he had it beat His kids just sit and cry   They lost their child today  As innocent as can be  She struggled every day  Now she is set free    He lost a cousin today  She...

Would it be an easy choice? She didn't ask. We have no right to tell her what to do. She does what she is strong enough to do. Such a brilliant choice. To live. To live and be with those who love her. Those who will always admire her. And this, in the end, is all that matters. She lives and is cherished. As she cherishes life. The loss of a part won't diminish her in the least. Cannot change the emotions felt by those who...

The final act.Today, on February 24th of 2017, we open another play. It's Billy Elliot the Musical. I have the role of George, and it's the biggest part I've had since I started acting in plays. This one will be the fourteenth that I've been a part of since I began with A Kansas Nutcracker. That was in December of the year 2013. In this past December, I was in Nutcracker: A Kansas Ballet. This version of our local Nutcrac...

Such a load she had to bear, unbeatable pain was always there;She was so brave and dignified; despite it all, she seldom cried;When told she wouldn't make it through, she insisted there was more to do;She wasn't ready to give in yet; stronger chemo was her bet;She had such plans; she had to live; continue fighting so she could give,the world her love and heart and soul; To beat the demon was her goal;Our Lord had differen...

The things I could say about my beautiful daughter, Katy could fill a small book, same as, I'm sure, any proud parent. Katy was truly a gift to me and I'd like to share with you who my Angel Face was.  Facts first ... Katy was a published poet by age 11, an accomplished artist, (the final drawing she was working on {though unfinished} is in my gallery), an honors student from grade 5 on, and despite missing her entire sen...

What are the odds, I wonder. Two different cancers in less than a year. Doesn't seem fair, but I learned long ago that it ain't always fair. I had the prostatectomy done on February 23rd of this year. The year 2015 was on its way to becoming memorable. I seemed to have overcome the prostate cancer. At least, my urologist/surgeon found nothing untoward when we had our check up in June. So it seemed that we might have fair...

Suffused with life. HappinessJoyLovingLivingThen you came along.You chose her,Were Inclined towards her. I was warned about you. Preordained fortuity perhaps?Your insidious shadow approached unnoticed. Your darkness surprised me. I didn't contemplate meeting you at all.Happenstance brought mixed emotions. I held onto my loving friends, Faith and Hope.The moment she felt your presencemy heart skipped a beat. The unknown, G...