Courage

Courage

—noun 

1. the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.

It was three years ago on October 7th, 2011 that I was diagnosed with cancer. What followed was a year of surgeries, chemo, and a general blur of difficult memories. But one memory I will forever cherish is how my friends and family rallied with me in battle. I never could have made it through without the support of those around me. 

During the past few years, particularly when the days were darkest, I received many gifts of encouragement. Admittedly, at my worst, I was not of body or mind to thank everyone personally, but I hope you all know how much your thoughtfulness meant to me and still means to me today. 

On the eve of the anniversary of the day my life changed forever, I came upon a gift wrapped box tucked away on a shelf in a closet. Inside was an Angel of Courage and it reminded me of all the angels of courage I have had through this journey. There was no card, no note, no indication, and sadly, no recollection of who gave me this wonderful gift, so long ago. I hope this post helps me to find the gift giver...but I also hope it serves as a collective and heartfelt thank you to whoever it was and to all the rest of my angels of courage who stayed alongside me - enabling me to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear. I love you all. 

xo

Lisa 

I'm Fifty!

Today I turned 50. For me it was so much more than just a birthday. It symbolized a milestone in my fight with cancer. I feel great, I'm happy, healthy, and feel strong both physically and emotionally. A sort of IN YOUR FACE to cancer, I guess is what it comes down to. 

As I feel that every day cancer free is a blessing beyond words, please join me on a collective celebration...

Happy birthday to me!  Dear Cancer, you're NOT invited to my party. 

XO

The Unexpected Blessings of an Unexpected Book

Apart from my job of being a mother, my 'second job' as a writer has been a rewarding and affirming blessing that has taught me a great deal about the publishing world. It has also given me the opportunity learn a lesson in patience as I savor the joyful anticipation of my two upcoming children's books to be released in the somewhat distant Winter and Spring of 2016. 

My little angel book (May God Bless You with an Angel) was originally written as a prayer and meant only for my children when I first found out I had cancer. I wrote it so they would always know they were never alone through difficult things, but as importantly, through the simplest of things as well. But through my lovely agent, this prayer found it's way to a publishing house, and while I had no expectations of it becoming published, the rest, as you know, is history. 

May God Bless You with an Angel was an unexpected silver lining that came during a time when I needed it most. It gave me the confidence to keep writing, the foundation to tell others my testimony, and the comfort that no matter what, my words would be forever in a book - for my children, my family, my friends, and for strangers in need of an Angel of their own. 

This book also gave me a new dear friend in the lovely and talented Chris Shea (www.lifesighs.com). She is the best selling author and illustrator of numerous books and one of my very favorite artists. I couldn't think of anyone more perfectly suited to bring the words of my book to life in such a way as Chris did. Throughout the publishing process, and still today, among being my dear friend, Chris has also served as a mentor to me, providing just the right words of encouragement and advice at always the most appropriately needed moments. 

In addition to the many lovely books Chris has written and illustrated, she also owns a darling store (LifeSighs) in the heart of La Mesa, California.  Today she wrote me a lovely note about a young homeless man who came into her shop...please read for yourself:

Hi Lisa,

One of the advantages I have now that I have a store is being able to watch people look at my work.  Sometimes people just come in and browse and don't buy anything but it is always an honor to have people come inside.

Today a really young guy came in carrying a bed roll and a backpack.  He was very tan and pretty clean but pretty obviously was someone who lives on the street.  He walked in and instantly walked over to my little table of books.  He picked up May God Bless You With an Angel.  He perused it and then asked me what one page meant.  I started to explain he had just opened up the book to a page that was the middle of a thought.

"Oh," he said.  "I guess you have to read it.  Like a story?"

Then he asked me how much it was. I told him.  He very reluctantly put it down and said he would come back after he went to the pharmacy, but I knew that wasn't true.

"But getting a blessing would be pretty nice," he said as he headed out the store.

I called after him and said,

"You know, an unread, unowned book is not a happy book.  Why don't you just take this and share it.  Read it and keep it or give it away. Make the book happy.  Give it a home."

He seemed pretty bowled over.  And it was such an odd juxtaposition, this homeless teenager and this red book with a yellow angel on it.  He thanked me profusely and wished me blessings.  I told him the same.

So that's a nice little example of how our book blessed a kid who really needed it today.

xoxo

Chris Shea,

Your forever SoCal Pal ~ Chris Shea

It was an unexpected silver lining in an otherwise unevetful summer day.  Look closely for every silver lining...they don't only come after stormy weather. 

xo

Lisa

We must not only survive, we must thrive!

When I was in the thick of my battle with cancer, there were poignant moments throughout when someone or something touched me in such a way that I truly felt divine intervention at work. Though time has passed, I remember each and every moment as if it were yesterday. 

One such moment was when a dear friend invited me to attend an event featuring beautiful handmade necklaces made from vintage keys adorned with words of inspiration by Jennifer Montana Design (www.jennifermontanadesign.com). In an instant, I was immediately drawn to two such necklaces embossed with the words 'courage' and 'grace' - two things that kept me going then, and still keep me going today.  

Please take a moment to read JMD's recent blogpost below featuring an article about what those necklaces symbolize for both me and my daughter every time we wear them. 

http://jennifermontanadesign.com/2014/06/08/stories/

(L-R my friend, Julie Wallanus, Jennifer Montana, and me)

(Jillian and me wearing our JMD necklaces)

In the Arms of an Angel

My dear friend Carol, a friend I met when I was first diagnosed and began my battle with cancer, sadly lost her own battle this past Saturday. She was a true testament to what it means to persevere in the face of an unimaginably difficult circumstance. 

In the short two years I was blessed to know her, I can't recall a time when she didn't have a loving smile or when she wasn't giving encouragement to me in my own fight. Knowing Carol was truly one of the best things to come from having cancer. 

After just seeing my friend a little more than a week ago, I am still stunned by this news and broken hearted for her husband, children, grandson of only 8 months, family, and for the numerous friends who loved her dearly. 

Though she must have experienced tremendous pain and suffering in her final weeks, she stood strong and never let on she was nearing the end of her life. Therefor her recent passing came as a surprise. In typical loving fashion, I don't think Carol wanted to let on how dire her situation had become - she was the epitome of grace. In the arms of an Angel and in the Kingdom of Heaven, I know my friend is free from pain,
with God at her side, as always. 

She was a wonderful wife, an amazing mother, an inspirational mentor, and a true friend. 

I will miss her every day. 

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." ~ Romans 8:18

My beautiful sisters in battle Diane (middle) and Carol (right). 

Rescued by a Rescue

Yesterday, I lost my beloved cat of 14 years. A barn cat for the first 10 years of his life (along with his identical brother), Chip became an indoor or 'bed' cat for the last four years of his life. He never left my side, in sickness or in health, and he was devoted to the vey end, even as he began to suffer from cancer himself. 

This cat was proof of angels to me. He found my cancer - of that I'm truly convinced. 

From this cat, I learned how to love more and give more.  He was a rescue cat, but in the end, it was he who rescued me. 

"Just ask the animals, and they will teach you." ~ Job 12:7

(Chip on left)

Thank You Sir, May I Have Another?!

Sometimes when things are difficult for me, I find myself saying humorously to God "Thank You Sir, may I have another?!" in reference to the scene in Animal House when the freshman pledges are being spanked as part of a fraternity initiation. It reminds me with a laugh that I need to thank God for not only my blessings, but for my struggles as well - for it is during these times I believe I'm growing the most in my faith and in my character. 

A friend once showed me a cartoon drawing with several people carrying large and heavy crosses. One person in particular stops every now and then on the journey to cut a portion off his cross, thereby lessening his burden. He's quite pleased with himself until he comes across a cavernous gap in his path. The others who have been on the same journey have used their large and heavy crosses to bridge the gap and continue on their way, leaving behind the person whose cross is not big enough to see him through. 

Everyone has some sort of cross to bear, that I'm certain of. Who among us does not?  We all know someone or some family who seems perfect in every way, sometimes causing us to feel imperfect in every way. But no one is without their burdens, no one is without their cross.

It's easy to get caught up in our own difficulties, so to that I will say, what can you do to lessen the weight of someone else's cross?  If you can take just a moment in your day to reach out to help or pray for someone with a heavier burden, whether you know them personally or not, you will inevitably lessen the weight of your own cross. 

And just for fun, here's a very young Kevin Bacon in Animal House:

http://youtu.be/qdFLPn30dvQ

My revision journey told through Disney GIFs. ~ by Erica M. Chapman

I just had to post this on my blog because it so perfectly describes the writing and revision process that goes into each and every manuscript...enjoy! 

My revision journey told through Disney GIFs. ~ Erica M. Chapman (www.ericamchapman.com)

I start out thinking there are SO many possibilities!

 I’m so EXCITED! This is going to be the best MS I’ve revised EVER!

Then the real work begins and it seems like an endless climb…

Each step seems never-ending.

I quickly arrive at the stage where I think everything is total crap.

I start to change things I NEVER thought I would which makes me feel like I’m completely messing everything up.

Every morning I look like death.

I think I’m starting to catch a stride then something derails me.

 

I feel like nothing makes sense in the story anymore.

        

I try to add backstory and I either add too much or too little.

So I decide to start from the beginning and see what works and what doesn’t. I end up deleting some of my favorite scenes.

Then I feel like this.

I start getting pulled into different plot holes and internal monologue traps. 

After putting the pieces back together and getting everything in its spot.

 

I regroup. Because I can’t stay in Wonderland forever.

I start climbing to the top of that wall.

Work Hard.

And make my manuscript just as beautiful as the first version, but better.

I fall, but there’s always someone to catch me.

And even though I feel like this…

And I realize how hard it is to say goodbye to a different version of my story…

I believe in this book and I want it to be the best.

It WILL be the best!

Thank you Erica M. Chapman for the Disney version of writing books!

xo

Lisa

Happy 2014

Happy New Year!

With every birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, or even Ground Hog Day for that matter, I sometimes find myself wondering "Will this be my last one?"  I know that seems dramatic, and it is dramatic. But it isn't necessarily a bad thing. With those thoughts come a greater appreciation for every moment, a pause for thought before saying or doing something, and an ability to let go and to not sweat the small stuff. 

I love my family, I truly do. These past couple of holiday weeks have been filled with long standing traditions, delicious meals shared, lots of laughter and much love. They've also come with many messes made, laundry baskets full then emptied then full again, and a house which doesn't stay clean for long. With my oldest son home for the holidays, I have come to actually enjoy looking into his lived in room with clothes strewn about everywhere.  I'm amazed at how time flies - his freshman year of college is exactly half way over and he (and I) not only survived it, but thrived from it. As difficult as it has been to have him 3000 miles away, he (and I) are better for it. He is becoming a man, and I can see it happening right before me. 

Gone are the days when my little family of five stayed in together on New Year's Eve banging pots and counting down the midnight clock together. Letting go of the past and embracing a new furture is more evident than ever as my oldest son spent New Year's Eve with friends of his own. 

In 2014, will I still wonder if each day will be my last?  Absolutely. And my prayer is that you will wonder that about each day as well. 

"Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering 'it will be happier."  ~ Alfred Tennyson

Happy 2014!