Some Musical Beats

Love Knows No Limits

Thanks for sharing this with me, Kara!

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends

Shout-out to the friend who made things a little bit easier,

and always provided a silver lining to otherwise dreary days

"You were the one who made things different, you were the one who took me in. You were the one thing I could count on, above all, you were my friend."
- Tom Petty

Hope Is The Denial Of Reality

It’s been a little over two weeks since my dad told me the news of his cancer. I’ve done so much reading on it that I feel as if I may know as much as the doctors do at this point. My dad continues to amaze me, taking the shock of this devastating news with an attitude not of, “Why me?”, rather “Why not me?” In this way, he is much like my mom who, once she got past the sadness and anger caused by her cancer, felt it was better she than someone else. Yes, I have the two most selfless parents in the world.

People are slowly beginning to hear the news and have, of course, been in disbelief. Lightening isn’t supposed to strike in the same place twice after all, right?

Surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, November 4th at 8:00 AM. Finally the past couple weeks of “wait-and-see” will be over, and we’ll gain further insight to what stage the cancer is in and what the future holds. Yet I sit here wondering, "Do I even want to know?" I don't believe it is possible to physically, mentally, or emotionally prepare for the worst, or even best, case scenario.

I am having a very difficult time sorting through my feelings and feel guilty that I'm not responding to this whole situation in the “right” way. I should be crying, cursing...not denying the reality of the situation. Yet, for me, it is the only way to remain hopeful.

A Vision Of Students Today

What A Wonderful World

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Throughout my life, I have been surrounded by a group of amazing women, the siblings "God forgot to give me", my friends. They are the people who make me laugh, smile, believe, love, share, care....the list goes on. Much of who I am has grown out of the relationships I share with them, both collectively, and individually.

• Emma, the eternal optimist, has taught me the value of embracing each and every moment we are given, and to appreciate everything and everyone around me.

• Kara, who wears her heart on her sleeve, has taught me to exude a passion for life and to be unfraid to express my emotions.

• From Alyssa, my listening ear and shoulder to lean on, I have learned the significance of striving to make others feel good and comforted.

• Ashley, the most genuinely caring person I know, has instilled in me the importance of always letting people know how you feel, as you'll never know how many chances you'll have to do so.

• Thanks to Ally, my oldest and dearest friend, I have learned how to truly be there for others. I have embraced this, through her example, as she has stood by me for years, through thick and thin.

• It is because of Jenn, who emanates determination and drive, that I find the strength to "keep on keeping on" in the face of adversity.

• Melissa, though her strength is silent, has been an example for me of courage in it's prime.

• Sarah, my breath of fresh air, has taught me to "let go," and be confident in the person I am.

College In A Nutshell

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

"You have four years to be irresponsible here. Relax. Work is for people with jobs. You'll never remember class time, but you'll remember time you wasted hanging out with your friends. So, stay out late. Go out on a Tuesday with your friends when you have a paper due Wednesday. Spend money you don't have. Drink 'til sunrise. The work never ends, but college goes..." - Tom Petty

Words To Live By

"I say 'Out' to every negative thought that comes to my mind.

No person, place, or thing has any power over me,

for I am the only thinker in my mind.

I create my own reality and everyone in it."

.

The Last Lecture

“We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.”—Randy Pausch

http://www.thelastlecture.com/

Answers Only Make More Questions

"Time heals, but also steals, precious moments..."

A little over four years ago, my mom and dad, the two people who had always been fearless in my eyes, sat me down for a conversation that would forever change my life. "Jill, I have cancer, said my mom." At that moment, my world (and heart) stopped. My mom had always been my greatest source of strength. She believed in me, loved me unconditionally, and was my very best friend. She told me she would fight it, that the cancer would not, could not, defeat her. To say she fought a strong battle against her breast cancer, would be an understatement. Yes, there were days where she lost her zip, but through it all, her own well-being was the least of her worries. My sister, dad, and I were her number one priorities.

During those last few months, upon being admitted to the hospital, I went to visit her and she sat me down on her bed, held me in her arms and told me that even though she would not always physically be there, she'd still be with me. She told me that no one would ever love me as much as she loves me. Finally, she asked that I be strong, take care of my dad, and to appreciate my sister, because, as she always used to say, "she's the only one you'll ever have."

Nothing and no one can ever replace a mother. My mom was the type of person who lit up a room and drew others in with her warm, caring personality. It is those memories, of her laugh, smile, kindness, selfless nature, and devotion to her family, just to name a few, that continue to inspire me.

However, it isn't always easy to be strong, and sometimes I want to scream at the top of my lungs. I feel short of breath when I think about how much I miss her, or when I suddenly have some piece of great news, but keep it to myself because she is the only one I'd want to share it with. I miss her everyday.

And now, almost a year and a half later, I am faced with those same three words that changed my life once before, only this time they are coming from my dad's mouth: "I have cancer." To me, this is the unthinkable. I am stuck in this hard spot where I am both refusing to believe it's true, while in my mind I am planning for the worst. My faith is shot, I have nothing left to believe in. I work in an environment where on a daily basis, I am encouraging hope, yet I don't think that hope exists within me anymore. My dad has become my confidant, hero, and friend. The only good that came of my mom becoming sick, was the growth and improvement in the relationship between my dad and I. He's become a new source of strength for me, so to see him cry and feeling lost is one of the hardest things I've ever had to witness.

I am at a loss when he tries to talk to me about it and find myself tripping over words to come up with the perfect thing to say. I don't have the perfect words. I don't have the optimistic attitude. I have anger and resentment toward this terrible disease. The American Cancer Society encourages "Progress.Hope.Answers", yet I sit here feeling as if none of that progress has helped the people in my life who I love the most, that, as a result, any hope I once had is now dwindling, and the answers only seem to result in more unanswered questions...

My Sister Is Kind Of A Big Deal

http://www.wickedlocal.com/needham/archive/x317099276


http://www.columbiaspectator.com/node/47587


http://www.cstv.com/sports/w-lacros/stories/051005aah.html


http://www.cstv.com/sports/w-lacros/stories/051805aah.html

My Friends Are My Driving Force...

“This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, love to complete your life

Why I Relay...

Twenty-four hours. It can stretch out forever when you're waiting to hear the report on a biopsy. It can literally evaporate when it's the last hours spent with a dying loved one. Or, it can bring hundreds of people together in the fight against cancer through Relay For Life.

Relay for Life raises over $100,000 for cancer research - News

Sources Of Happiness

"Even though we've changed and we're all finding our own place in the world, we all know that when the tears fall or the smile spreads across our face, we'll come to each other because no matter where this crazy world takes us, nothing will ever change so much to the point where we're not all still friends"

Take A Minute To Get Informed

Support The Cause:

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/HOME/sup/sup_0.asp

Take Action:

http://www.acscan.org/

Make A Difference:

http://www.invisiblechildren.com/home.php

Rock The Vote:
http://www.barackobama.com/index.php

Love Of My Life

One of the reasons I smile everyday...

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

www.cancer.org/makingstrides