Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Thank you!

A girlfriend sent me the following story one day last week, and it put a smile on  my face.
A much needed smile!
Because what the story has to share is so very, very true!!
My girlfriends have rallied around me and made
me feel like l can get through the tough times ahead.
 l know they will be there with a shoulder and a tissue when l need to cry.
They will be there to make me laugh!
l am blessed with very dear girlfriends, and l treasure them!!
 
And l would like to thank all my blogging friends who have taken the time to check in on me.
My heart is warmed by the friendship and hugs  you offer me in an email.
What can l say, but that quilters are the best!!
Thank you.
 
My dear Dad has been diagnosed with lung  cancer.
He started chemo on Monday.
It won't cure him, but maybe buy him some more time.
At 80 years old, some might say he has had a good innings.
Those who know him know he had many more great years in him.
l already miss him.
See, he was the keeper of my garden. For the last 15 years or so,
 he would turn up every Monday and Friday mornings, and spend the day pottering.
We would make plans for the vegetable garden or new garden beds.
We would chat over a cuppa. And share a joke.
He would tell me about when he grew up.
l loved hearing stories about the olden days.
 
Its been a few weeks since he came. l still expect to hear his car
 and the welcoming bark of the dog to let me know he is here.
 
Life will change and there will be good days ahead.
And many wonderful memories to cherish.
And for those l will be forever grateful.
The last paragraph says it all!!!!
 
 
In an evening class at Stanford University the last lecture was on the mind-body connection - the relationship between stress and disease. The speaker (head of
psychiatry at Stanford) said, among other things, that one of the best things that a man could do for his health is to be married to a woman whereas for a woman, one of the best things she could do for her health was to nurture her relationships with her girlfriends. At first everyone laughed, but he was serious.
Women connect with each other differently and provide support systems that help each other to deal with stress and difficult life experiences. Physically this quality "girlfriend time" helps is to create more serotonin - a neurotransmitter that helps combat depression and can create a general feeling of well being. Women share feelings whereas men often form relationships around activities. We share from our souls with our sisters/mothers, and evidently that is very GOOD for our health.
 

He said that spending time with a friend is just as important to our general health as jogging or working out at a gym. There's a tendency to think that when we are "exercising" we are doing something good for our bodies, but when we are hanging out with friends, we are wasting our time and should be more productively engaged? Not true. In fact, he said that failure to create and maintain quality personal relationships with other humans is as dangerous to our physical health as smoking!
So every time you hang out to schmooze with a gal pal, just pat yourself on the back and congratulate yourself for doing something good for your health! We are indeed very, very lucky.
 
 
So, let's toast to our friendship with our girlfriends.
Thanks to all the girls in my life who have helped me stay healthy, happy, feeling understood,
  appreciated, and loved.
 
 
 
 
And just to leave you with a quilt, here is the latest group quilt
 my Sorrento sewing girls made.
 Its from Edyta Sitars book, Friendship, Strips and Scraps.
Slightly revised, but essentially the same.
We reproduction lovers even managed to use batik fabric!!
 


And here is happy birthday girl, Anne,
who seems mighty pleased with her quilt!
 

 
 Go find a friend and hug her.
Its for your own good health!!
Thanks for visiting.
Linda.
 
 
 
 
 

16 comments:

  1. my heart goes out to you and sure wish I could come over and take you out for the day , visit the quilt shops, talk quilts have a great lunch out and of course picking out fabrics for the next 10 quilts we are going to make and which fabrics we need to buy just to stockpile in our closets for those future quilts
    Kathie

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  2. Will be thinking of you and yours....thanks for sharing that yummy quilt! I have the book so perhaps I should get started...that quilt is why I bought the book! Take care...

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  3. Aww, I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. It sounds like you will give him lots of love and support through his tough time. You be there for him and your girlfriends are there for you. Take care of yourself along this journey. God Bless, Missie

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  4. Today my 82-year-old dad heads to his first treatment for lung cancer as well. Circumstances sound eerily similar. And I was sipping my tea and catching up on blogs before heading over to help out where I can. I too was counting my blessings, girlfriends who have been so encouraging with offers of real support. Thank you for sharing your story and reminding us that we never travel alone. And I echo the messages of others above me.

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  5. What a lovely post. So many of us have been in the same situation or are going through it now. The holidays magnify the loss but also bring back precious memories. It reminds us that the only thing that really matters is people. Thanks for reminding us that we can get through the rough stuff by huddling up with our friends. Sending you a hug.

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  6. Linda, life is made of memories and know one can take them away. Wherever life takes us girlfriends support even new ones that live far away.
    Sending positive thoughts for your dad.
    Loving that new quilt.
    Take care.

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  7. I so sorry you and your family are dealing with cancer. It's horrible and evil, and touches everyone in some way. I just hope you can spend as much time as possible with your dear dad, creating even more wonderful memories to hold on to.

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  8. I hope all goes well for you and your Dad, I'm so sorry. Life is hard to bear, but God does give us memories, and good friends to come along side. sending a hug your way, and a prayer for your Daddy ~
    :-}pokey

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  9. Your post brought tears to my eyes because I know how hard it is to watch parents age and suffer through illness. Prayers coming on your behalf.

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  10. My quilt club made this quilt last year--each person made a house block, and several of us did the fruit blocks--fun and very pretty!

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  11. Linda,there are no words I can think of that will take away the pain & deep ache you must have in your heart. At first I wasn't going to leave a comment,the screen was blurry from tears. I hesitated, not really knowing what to write...............& I'm sure there are many who have read this post & they too don't know what to say, I hope your Dad's not in much pain & the chemo does give him more time with you & your family
    ((hugs)) for you

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  12. I am so sorry to read your sad news. It is so difficult to watch a parent age....as we are doing with our 88 year old mother. I wish I had the words to bring more comfort to you and your dad, as he faces his treatments.

    Gloria
    gyates625@bellsouth.net

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  13. God bless you, Dear Linda. You and your dad and your family are in my prayers. Terry in PA

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  14. Dear Linda, i'm so sorry to hear such sad news. I lost my dad when i was eighteen, so please treasure the time you have left with your dear dad and may you be comforted by the precious memories of the wonderful relationship you shared with each other. hugs, Marian

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  15. I have been reading your posts Linda but I was a bit lost for words. I'm sending you lots of prayers for your family and hope your Dad gets through this journey as easily as possible.

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  16. Anne's quilt is wonderful!!
    So sorry to hear about your Dad.
    The garden you have created with him brings joy to all who see it.
    Wishes of much strength and love to you, your Dad and the whole family during the following weeks and months.
    ((hugs))

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