I have had a week, or two or three, to be truthful. I had allowed myself to get sucked into a terribly toxic family situation. And it wasn’t even my own, for heaven’s sakes. I had extended my energies, love and strength to the max and beyond, at a time when I need everything I’ve got to continue to heal myself, only to be castigated and villainized for helping a child in need. No good deed goes unpunished, and I am living proof of that old adage, time and time again. Will I ever learn? Probably not, at least when there’s a child involved. C’est la vie…
In spite of all of that turmoil, I am so grateful that I had had the presence of mind to call my dear friend and old Colorado neighbor, Sandra, last week to check in on her. She is a breast cancer survivor, like me, and one of the sweetest souls I have ever met from a time long ago when people were honest and forthright and baked strawberry/rhubarb pies for their neighbors just because. Sandra survived cancer, only to succomb to a myriad of ailments that dominoed and weakened her beyond return. She fought the good fight, and surrendered to the angels on Sunday. I am so happy that we were able to laugh and carry on as we have always done just days before she left us…
This picture of Sandra was taken in Cabo on a boat with her husband, Galen, me and H. This was their first trip out of the country, and we were thrilled to host them at our condo and show them the sights of Mexico. She was radiant and joyful, and that is how I will always remember her. When I was in the worst throes of my chemo, she and Galen drove from Denver to Phoenix to sit by my bedside, despite her own serious medical issues at the time. That’s just who she was. I miss her terribly.
I feel so exhausted emotionally and physically right now that I’m not sure how I am going to recharge and fight the good fight myself. I just can’t find the electrical socket to plug into. Where the hell is it, anyway?!? I know, I know, I need to practice what I preach and meditate, exercise, eat healthy, paint like Monet, laugh and rejoice in life. Today I just don’t feel like it. The tears just keep flowing of their own accord. Tomorrow’s another day…sending love and light to all…
May. 20, 2015
Judy Richter 