Sunday, September 30, 2012

Wrapping up this blog - starting a new one

I am wrapping up this blog. You can now find me at


This current blog is a collection of the emails I sent to friends over the past five years, starting from the time I was diagnosed with rectal cancer. At the time, I couldn't even bring myself to say "rectal," calling it "colon" cancer instead! (hence the name of the blog)

A couple of years into it, I wasn't sure how the story would end. I didn't want to write about cancer forever. But at that time, I was diagnosed with Stage IV rectal cancer, so I didn't think I could ever be confident that the cancer story would be over. In fact, it seemed like it would end with my death, which isn't such an appealing ending, to me anyway. And I knew that I would continue to need the support of my family and friends throughout my life, so didn't want to stop that part. I couldn't envision the ending at all.

While I was in Brazil, I heard many messages that told me what to do. When I brushed them off, life was pretty predictable. For example, I heard a voice that gently said, "Take care of my mother." I looked at the woman referred to by the voice. She seemed to be fine, though she was fumbling for something in her purse. I ignored the voice, and went on my way. A few minutes later, I was trying to charge a purchase, something I needed at the time, and my charge card wouldn't work. I had no cash, and there was a long line behind me. From that line, I heard a that same woman say to me, "What is the problem? Can I help you?" And she covered me. How embarrassing and so right, that I ignored the call to help her, but she was right there to help me when I needed it. Drove it home.

But when I listened to the messages, amazing things happened. Awe-inspiring things. I won't detail them here, but I will in my new blog. And while I can't guarantee that that blog will be filled with awe-inspiring things, I promise that I will share any awe with you. And I hope to envelope you in its light.

Back to how this blog ends. It has been five years since my initial diagnosis. That seems like a good time to wrap it up.

EVEN MORE, though, when I was in Brazil, I heard a message that I would write one more post to end this blog, and I would start a new blog, to be called Adventures in Spiritual Living. And, the name was available.

If you've been following this blog for awhile, you may notice that my faith has grown over the past few years, and my trust in God's path for me and my willingness to walk that path have also grown. So I am trying to follow any guidance that I receive!

So, over one month after receiving that message, I am finally heeding it. I hope to see you there. Thank you for carrying me this far. And no matter where you are, I will carry you in my heart and send you my very very best.

Love,
Marie