learning and growing

At long last, I have signed up to do something that I've been wanting to attempt for so long... I will be taking a precious metal clay class in November! I felt that working with precious metal clay was not something to casually research on the internet, or just buy a book and hope to catch on; I really wanted to take a hands-on approach and learn the right way, the first time. So in addition to creating more unique goodies in a different medium, I feel that this will give me even more control over my creativity and my business.
On an unrelated (but sort of related) note... this weekend I will be attempting origami for the first time! As part of a drive to send healing wishes via a 1,000 Cranes project, I will be attempting to create an origami crane of my own (yikes) to send to a woman with brain cancer. What a beautiful, communal way to express wishes of hope and recovery. Check out "The Adventures of BaldyLocks" for more details!

cancer is a word, not a sentence

I really want to believe John Diamond's words.

Cancer claimed my parents, both at only age 66 ... numerous relatives...

a classmate who was also too young...

beloved friends... and cherished pets.

I'm not even counting the many lost to cancer who

were all of the above to others,

whose paths never crossed mine,

but whose life experience had a ripple effect on their loved ones

in the same ways that my losses affected my life.

I want to believe that cancer is just a word, not a sentence,

and I do believe that it will become reality.

There have been miracles here and there.

But I want to see miracles happen all the time.

Frankly, I'd like to see the terms "cancer survivor" and "miracle" not even remotely connected.

"Cancer survivor" should be just another fact of life.

Like having a cold and getting over it.