Dear Reader:

” Just Happy to Be Here” loses something in translation when political candidates say it… repeatedly on a campaign trail…particularly when the facial expression and voice tone can’t quite pull it off…fatigued and depleted.

But I find myself saying it more often now than I ever did earlier in my life… because I , not only mean it, I feel it and want to express it.

I know how blessed I am … once upon a time I prayed to live to see my first-born grandchild and here I am thirteen years later with five grandchildren. I mean, come on now… what were the chances that new drugs and pioneer treatments would appear in perfectly timed intervals…thus keeping me in this wonderful “game” called life.

Most amazingly…I have learned how deeply spiritual gratitude goes… when it comes from the soul…it goes the whole distance… not stopping at mere ” thank you’s.” It fills one up from your toes to your head… all encompassing.

So this morning I can honestly tell the receptionist, lab and scan technicians, PA’s oncology nurses and doctors at another checkup…that I am ” Just Happy To Be Here”… ( when asked ” How I Am?) As long as I am still able to make appointments and ” show up” …life is continuing. ( They still make me nervous… but that just goes with the territory.)

Being able to wake up in the mornings and play in my garden is a delight I never experienced until after my cancer diagnosis but I just knew I wanted a garden while fighting this powerful nemesis… the strolls and meditations… the peace and serenity… and I did find my little peace of heaven here on earth.

So until tomorrow…

Today is my favorite day… Winnie the Pooh