Blogging and Life Update

The poem from yesterday, called “Night Wind” came to me so quickly and so clearly, I could not resist writing it down and posting it in a hurry, even though I had to be out the door.

That happens to me, even though I realize I need to slow down, or I think I need to retire from blogging. I always have more inspiration, just when I think I have run out of things to say! I have a writer’s voice like a river running strong.

Yet I always work hard and push forward, sometimes too much. To be honest 2021 has been a tough year. Several family members have died from cancer, and a close friend to my wife also passed away from cancer.

My wife still gets treatments for her own cancer, and that makes bad news even more difficult to deal with. I go on my own appointments for chronic pain, and I often think of the Beatles’ song, “Yesterday”. At least the first few lines.

My wife and I also had separate car accidents! We were both injured separately, but I’m ok now even though my car was totaled. My wife has improved.

It’s not the right time to retire from blogging. However whatever schedule I once had for posting, has gone out the window. I need to adjust my blogging balance and I’m thinking about possible strategies. I’ll keep you posted.

Thank you so much for reading!

Peace.

Writing and Image Copyright © 2021 rivers renewed

Heart Broken

This is not poetry. This is not fiction.

When people have cancer they often build a small community with friends, who are often going through the same. Even if the cancer is different they share stories, bonding in special ways.

My wife and I are heart broken today after just receiving news our neighbor has passed away. She died late last night. We’ve known them for a long time and my wife and C. were good friends. They often talked, and during the pandemic talked to each other from across the street.

Years ago they even watched our children several times when my wife was rushed to the hospital regarding complications from her cancer. My wife almost died, was in ICU, her kidneys were shutting down. She had several heart attacks etc.C.’s family went through this with us.

C. was only in her 40’s, and was a woman of faith, a wife and mother. I think the youngest child is only 7 years old. How do you explain dying to a young child?

C. had been struggling for the past few weeks. Knowing what could happen doesn’t make it any easier though.

I ask that you send prayers their way. That God would comfort them. Yes, positive thoughts are welcomed too.

I’m really grieving today, and will be off line for a day or so. Eventually I will answer your messages.

Peace.

P.S. People who fight cancer are the bravest people on the face of the earth. They are more than survivors. They are warriors, the finest and bravest God has ever made.

Writing Copyright © 2021 rivers renewed

The Gift of Tigers

She always loved how he carried the Gift of Tigers…his roar

against the night, permeating

her being down to the bone,

his courage running through her veins,

never dominating.

And he loved the strength of her stride,

the ability to tread on serpents,

her supernatural smile,

how so often she could walk

through the fire of chemo and cancer,

while casting fear off both of them,

with the heart of a lion.

Gifted, both of them…

in each other’s love.

Poem, and Image, Copyright © 2020 ancient skies

Hope Keeps You Alive

I don’t even know how to say this. This is not a joke, it’s not a poem, it’s not a piece of fiction……my wife has cancer again.

This is the 3rd time now, and the mass inside her chest is even bigger than the last time.

To be honest it’s devastating. We are both devastated, and yet……a nurse recently told us,

“Hope keeps you alive.” And that’s so true….we have seen it many times.

I ask for your positive thoughts and prayers, for the one I love.

           

Writing © Copyright 2020, ancient skies

P.S. I will post some older work for awhile. It will help me to focus and remain active. If you leave messages I will eventually see them.

Yes, we will be taking good care of each other.

Peace.

 

Loving and Living with Cancer

It will change both you, in so many ways, unseen

running deep.

But if you hold each other frequently,

talk it through

being gentle always

God will continue to bless

your union. And it’s ok

to be afraid, either one of you

or to express you like this or that,

just never give up

on each other.

You can heal

some of the shattering.

Never walk away 

adding to the devastation.

Trust

and move forward.

Remember

to talk – alot.

Love isn’t just emotions,

love

is a choice.

         

Poetry and Image © Copyright 2019, ancient skies

Sometimes

Sometimes, I am a waterfall surging as my words overflow

into shapes only desiring

to bring a smile to her face.

And sometimes I write to her,

about her, to encourage

us both as we fight in the war,

as we barrel through

another holiday

holding on to each other

through the pain.

Note: A number of you have asked about how my wife is doing. Mostly she is doing well in spite of having cancer.

If you didn’t know this is the second time for her. We nearly lost her the first time.

The mass in her chest (not on her chest) is shrinking. Yay!

At the moment she has an infection and is on a lot of medicine, but this is not uncommon.

The toughest part of the battle is fighting – to not be afraid.

Thank you for your positive thoughts and prayers!

    

Poetry and Image © Copyright 2018, ancient skies

Warm Hearts on Cold Nights

Hey y’all this is a quick update from the front lines of my wife fighting cancer (for the second time).

Many of you have been asking about her, thank you! We are so wonderfully blessed by your prayers, blessings, well wishes, and positive thoughts!

She has finished the first round of treatments, and the mass in her chest (inside at the rib cage not on her chest) has become smaller! Yay!

That’s the good news. But something is still there, and only a special scan will tell us if there is still cancer.

We have to wait though because the treatments she received are still working to fight this menace.

So how do we stay very much in love with such a big challenge? To be honest it’s easy, but we do make more of an effort to be with each other. After all, in many ways love is a choice.

We talk a lot more, about everything. And sometimes we hold each other and don’t say anything at all.

Our hearts are warm on cold nights.

Just being in the moment and being together has become more valuable than ever.

My wife and I could probably write a book on love over 50, and in overcoming health issues. But that would be another post, and probably another website all together. 🙂

Thank you again! We wish you peace.

     

Poetry and Image © Copyright 2018, ancient skies

Within My Arms

That night, all she really wanted was for me to hold her,

as if everything

was going to be alright,

as if

her pieces

would be brought back

together again

within

my arms.

     

Poetry and Image © Copyright 2018, ancient skies

A Very Special Thank You

This is a very special thank you because you are a very special group of readers, thank you!

And thank you to all those across the planet, that have been praying for and thinking some positive thoughts for my wife. The mass in her chest (inside her, not on her chest) is actually smaller now, due to treatment. Yay!!

We are in a waiting phase now, for maybe a month or two, to see how it looks through special scans. Then another decision will be made as to whether or not more treatments are needed.

We are so grateful for all of our friends here and for your prayers!!

We wish you peace.

    

Writing and Image © Copyright 2018, ancient skies

The Rose of Sharon are So Beautiful

As we pull onto the highway, she falls asleep again, head bobbing. I whisper, “Rest My Love, put your head back.”

She does fall asleep and I wonder, is this because she is awake at night, worrying? Or is it the treatment putting her to sleep?

Changing lanes, I do have a flash of fear, as I think of the magic marker and tape on and around her chest. So much has happened.

Somehow, and I don’t know how, a prayer is lifted up. It’s amazing how prayer is so easy to breathe in now.

As we pull into our neighborhood I whisper, “We’re home sweetheart….” She opens her eyes, and I notice how beautiful the Rose of Sharon are……this time of year.

Note: Thank you to everyone for your positive thoughts and prayers! If you did not know, my wife is fighting cancer again, and we have begun using the first weapon…… in the arsenal.

    

Poetry and All Images © Copyright 2018, ancient skies