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| Raining in the Piazza |
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| Red Rock Canyon |
The temperature in Rome is currently 43 degrees F. at about 8:20 in the evening. Lots of rain expected over the next 4 days as well. A far cry from the sunny, 66 degrees we're experiencing here in Vegas. And NO rain in sight, we'll be sitting in the low '70's all through next Tuesday.
So what are we three women doing with ourselves amid this spring-like weather? Well, I've been cooking up a storm, preparing healing foods and balms in anticipation of fatigue and a little muscle soreness. As I've been diligent about my P90X videos and the 3 of us will be taking a killer Pilate's class this Saturday. Brenda is scheduled for her second knee surgery in the upcoming month. Getting the metal removed will hopefully diminish that "brought to her knees" pain she's been living with for so long. And Nancy has been running from one engagement to another speaking on behalf of Alzheimer's. Last week I attended her presentation at Aegis, donning one of the purple ribbons her daughter Michelle had made. I watched the group of 50 or so sit on the edge of their seats as Nancy shared her story of diagnosis and the aftermath of living with such.
That successful event was followed by an interview two days later, with KNPR. I know this because a friend of mine called to ask if Nancy had written a book. "Yes, a poetry book," I replied. "Why?" He explained he always listens to KNPR on his way to work and there was Nancy talking about some book and telling her story. He told me as her words made their way into his ears, he felt as though he was meeting her for the first time. He had forgotten I told him about Blue. River. Apple. last year and found himself touched by the interview more deeply than he was comfortable with considering he was sitting in traffic and on his way to the office. He also said how proud he felt to know her. So do I.
As a matter of fact, I have always said, "Nancy, I'm just going to hitch my wagon to your star and enjoy the ride." I've always said it, now I'm living it. Nancy is much like a big sister to me, and Brenda for that matter. Wise, considerate and compassionate. Always willing to give it a try. And more recently, not allowing any kind of diagnosis to define her. I believe, that's what I admire most about Nancy. We all have certain traits, behaviors and in many cases diagnoses of our own. There seems to be a fine line between accepting those aspects of ourselves and defining ourselves as such. My little brother, Lawrence, who passed away 2 years ago after a long and ugly fight with cancer, finally reached a point in his life when he no longer defined himself as a paraplegic, or a man (one of many with superior intellect) with dyslexia. Nope, when we were filling out the paperwork of how he wanted others to remember him, he told me to write; "A Traveler, Cyclist and Artist." Nothing about wheelchairs, chemo treatments or making change in that definition.
Nancy is the same way. And this trip to Umbria will add yet another layer of interest and depth to her, all of us really. Our hike along the Franciscan Trail will most certainly incorporate into our personal stories, adventure, excitement, courage and . . . whatever else we discover while in Italy. By hitching my wagon to Nancy's star I find I am opening myself up to even greater opportunities to be of service to others and move closer to exposing my authentic self. And that's what it's all about, right?
If you would like to learn more about why we have decided to embark upon such a journey, please join the 3 of us at R.E.I. We will be hosting an interactive gathering at the Boca Park location on Tuesday the 23rd, 7:00 p.m. then we'll be at the Green Valley/The District on Thursday the 25th, also at 7:00 p.m. Speaking from our individual Wheel Houses, I will be discussing Foods that are both body and brain friendly. Brenda will share how her Faith has played a role in her healing and her efforts to walk with the same skip in her step she used to have, and Nancy will of course share how her diagnosis of Alzheimer's has both served and challenged her. Her book, Blue. River. Apple will be on display, I will have some printed recipes for you to take away and Brenda will have some words of inspiration for whatever type of journey you may be traveling, in any kind of weather.
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| Words To Live By |
