First of all... I truly adore many of you here, at least many I feel so blessed to know and those I have yet to meet. There is a lot of thank you's going around and I just had to send my thank you's as well. I appreciate so much.

Read at your own will and when time permits you to do so. ~Hugs. I apologize for my extensive writing, I don't know any other way. And beyond this... there is always so much more...

(and I am not checking for spelling errors...) ~Smile.

(below is just a note about me) mainly for those who do not know me well enough, there are many new souls coming and going around this place. Jump to the next section to know what I most want to share if you wish.

~~~~~
Life is beautiful (even when the most challenging) in that... we never fully know what today or tomorrow will bring. Knowing this truly gives me reason to live in optimism and hope. To believe/know that all moments present a gift of "life lessons" a means to grow as individual souls.

Life lessons are endless...

Many of you know that is truly how I see life and live each day.

As many of you know, I work in a hospital and have been working there for 4 1/2 years. I previously worked in a private Montessori school for 9 years teaching children ages 2 1/2 or 6 years and during breaks I would work with the elementary children as well. (blessed years and a big part of who I am today) Just this past May I finally graduated with my Elementary Education Degree emphasizing my specialization in ART, which was a blessed milestone for me as well. I also have my Nursing Assisting Degree for when I left the Montessori school to pursue my degree full-time, I thought I would attempt Nursing which I truly feel is a worthy, yet challenging career all on it's own. So... as I mentioned I did jump back into the realm of teaching... although I still currently work in the hospital and it is difficult for me to "want" to leave.

Just recently I have been exposed to some major possibilites for me to stay in the hospital setting and still do and give of myself in all the ways I a driven to do each day I am there. Long story and I will save for later... for a lifetime career may be just around the corner for me... the wait is so painful.

What I do now is work in Nutrition as a Nutrition Representative, the pay is low... although I say time and time again... I would do it for free. I mean that, even if it is not practical... we must all make a living somehow unfortunately.

Sorry for writing extensively... I just have so much to say and I just don't know how to express myself in short-cut ways.

As a Nutritionist, I have been beyond blessed to meet some of the most beautiful people to ever exist, I say that... and I will say that continuously, I truly feel rich with emotion and will admit to having a heart that has no bounds. I feel so much of life... it can be overwhelming for me often, yet I would never wish it any other way. The best part of my job is... to have a steady count of 30-40 patients a day, you just never know who will amaze you with their presence, their strength, their courage... for many I interrelate with are people (beautiful souls) fighting for their life.

Through the years... I have grown to know more souls I could ever share or write about, the writing would never cease if I began. I feel their life in my own, whether they are still here... although for many, they have infact, passed.

I have been reading several threads here lately, about loved ones missed... appreciating "time" and the importance of family and all that are dear to our hearts (even strangers). We all want to be loved, we all want to feel important... valued for the life we bring into this world... and hopes we will have a life filled with beautiful moments. Some people may reach a point in their lives where their hopes are narrowed down and the journey is to fight for your life. Being in the mist of this... I will admit to not know, only people that living in this state know.

~~~~~
~My purpose for wanting to share...


Cancer is a disease I see everyday in many forms (be it society, ill acts or behavior, etc...)... although when it comes in a form that resides in a beautiful soul... I can't help but hurt and feel that life can be so cruel. It allows me to see all the beautiful gifts we truly have while we are still alive and breathing (even if ill or dangered) and that I can only be grateful for who I am today. My fate is to give all that I can to those in need... everyday... beautiful, powerful moments exist even if it hurts to feel... to feel all the pain from another or to come home and feel that of my own, for being so aware.

~Sigh...

Below is a recent picture of one of my moments and that of Andrew and his wife Pauline.

Andrew has Leukemia, he was diagnosed over a year ago...he is 23. Just last March his wife gave birth to a beautiful son (Zeke)... just after the birth Andrew was released from the hosptial and blessed that his Leukemia had gone into remission. He has been cancer free for a year... living life with his family, yet always his life revolved around constant tests, blood work and ongoing Dr. visits. (I just got chills)

About two months ago, if I recall... I was doing my rounds and there was Andrew, he had returned. His Leukemia was back... and in that begins his next fight.

I have been growing closer and closer with his family... as I do with many that touch my life. (so many stories to tell...) Two weeks ago... Pauline came up to me in the hall, I had chose to work late that night and was standing near a corridor area listening to the Pediactric children sing Christmas Carols. Pauline informed me that Andrew was being released the next day or possibly the day after. She went into sharing all that was planned after his release, for his bout with cancer is far to cease. I had known his sister was claim to be match for a bone marrow transplant and Pauline mentioned they were having a difficult time finding funds to get his sister down to Arizona from Chicago in such short notice. It is expected that his sister will have to come down and remain for some time for careful observation and more tests before the procedure takes place. If I could give the world... I so would.

I immediately recalled a former colleague whom her husband works for American Airlines. They always have buddy passes... and I knew if I could get a hold of her, I would be able to gain some passes for Andrew's sister means to get here. At least it would be one more option to consider...

(Long story...)

I was able to gain the passes... 3 to be exact and I immediately took them to their home.

We all have the best three hour conversation about life and all that it can and will inevitably entail. We all have a fate we must face.

I can't begin to express how much I value life... not just my own, but all... I truly do. I get caught up in all that life brings...

Giving freely with heart... truly is the best human trait that will ever exists. I hope many can see the importance in giving especially this time of year, although most importantly to believe this way of life everday we are able to do something meaningful for others. Never allow such a vision of life to leave your sense of awareness.

My life is truly rich beyond measure. I can't express that enough... this is my life, the life I live today and plan to live til the day my physical life ends here on this earth.

(Pauline, me and Andrew) a week ago.


Time will present all that will come... and it will.

Beautiful day to all... and within these words I can not wish for anything less.

even though I do not know you, U're an angel Julie. Thank U.

Julie, it is an amazing gift to be able to share in the pain and love of other peoples lives. To make that little bit of difference is such a huge blessing. I hope that people recognize the value of teachers and nurses. We pay professional atheletes the moon and yet the very people who make all the difference in life where it really counts have to scrape by

Keep making that difference in your life Julie. It means more to people than you can ever know.

Julie, Bless your heart and soul..

I knew I would like you from the begining and, now even more... ..both of us from the kind soul tree..

Blessed be you and will be for your friend and family..and you too .

Holiday Blessings

Richard (which you know I adore you) and DavidL (let's meet now) ~Smile... no heroism mentions needed. I just had to share... it gets quite heavy sometimes with all I experience. I have so much to do today and releasing this onto all of you truly helps with my focus. After I post this I will get busy, me and my thoughts. If another can learn from what I share, there in lays my main purpose.

... ~Sigh... really.



Much Love.

Freespirit, you are so incredibly awesome.

pippet said:

So much love for you Pippet. Your emoticons remind me of me... just ask some people here. Funny, I love to see them in posts... however I have lost my own enjoyment for using them like I used to. I guess I am finally growing up... (so kidding), the growing up part that is.

TheOrgerFormerlyKnownAs said:

so are you.

...

I better hurry and get out of here. Or I will become a big sopping mess.

I shall return... for the rest of you and all. ~Endless hugs.

...

Plus, there is one beautiful soul (mo than I can count) in the hospital, she has Leukemia as well. Her only wish was to go home for Christmas. I have three days off of work and it overwhelmes me that so much can happen between now and when I return.

The difficult part is... ~Sigh...

Her husband is too ill to be at her side and her daughter is torn between caring for her father at home and not being able to be with her mother. Joy (which is her name) is often alone for much of the day, her immune system is far too critical to have too many people around her exposing her to various germs. I spend every moment with her that I can while at work. Financially you would think it can be worked out... yet in some cases it does proves incredibly difficult.

I have done my best in creating some cheer in her room... I bought her a fiberoptic tree with lights and some music she adores.

Yesterday as I left... I had to give her a hug... she is heavy in mind at the moment.

I want to finish all I have and if she is up for some company, go by to spend some time with her. She has become a dear friend over this past year and I have seen her during her weakest moments. Depite her illness... she is a positive soul and a strong beautiful woman, it matters beyond anything else to have a positive/spiritual mind, especially when many odds are against you.

The mind is your most powerful tool when all else challenges you beyond your control.

...

I tell you... life never ceases to amaze me.

Steadwood said:

~last one... for now.

I'm just so happy that people like yourself exist in this world. I brings hope and joy whevever you go. I'm very happy that we've chatted and got to know each other.
Thank you

Heavenly said:

I lied. (one more)

Much love to you Ariel. Thank you...

~Hugs.

...

You sure do live up to your name, and so much more.

Julie, you are awesome. Its so nice to know that God still makes 'em like you!

Julie you're an amazing person...thank you for sharing this with us and thank you for being you

Julie,
although we have never met i just wanted to say, u are the most amazing woman absolutely beautiful inside and out! u make me see that there is good in the world. thank u

~Hugs Vina, dream, Natisse and Red...

I can get too... if you cross me the wrong way. (all for good cause and reason, of course)

It's all relevent, that you can be sure of.

...

Julie,

i feel so lucky and blessed to get to know you. your generosity and inner spirit continue to amaze me daily and that in itself is a gift that i hope to continue to receive. i know you are not one of a kind, i hope there are others out there that give themselves to the fullest of their capabilities as you do everyday, but i can honestly say they must be few and far between because you are the only one like you i know. god bless and keep you. and if god answers prayers i hope he can grant me to live my life more like you.

as i have said time and time again, you truly are a beautiful soul...

lillith said:

You... , I feel your presence many of times... even if from Canada to here, Arizona.

Much love to you. ~Sigh.

julie, ya made me get all teary-eyed. blessh you, love, your heart light shines with a force so intense i swear i can feel the warmth from over here on the other side of the country. you inspire me to do more.

prayers for andrew and his family that the transplant will help

This was taken last week... before Andrew was released from the hospital. His mission is to talk to others living/suffering with cancer, part of the reason why I wanted to share some of his journey as of today. He and his wife are incredible souls, with so much spiritual strength/courage and belief... it blows me away. Many souls such as Andrew and Pauline do exist, I see/feel it everyday. Open your heart and attempt to see/feel... listen to the sounds of life that surrounds us all, for the beauty of inspirations are there. True, so true.


Thinking, thinking... while I clean, it's my favorite time to get caught up in my thoughts and life.

Freespirit said:

a lovely photo, Julie...and a photo full of promise and hope may he be free of it onwards...

There's something missing from those photos, Julie: the wings on your back and the halo over your head.

cborgman said:

Chris. Your life and ambitions amaze me as well. ~Sigh...

As for Andrews bone marrow transplant, this is a critical time to do it. Andrew is young, strong (as of now) considering his condition. His blood counts are at critical range and yes... much of his life can make a drastic turn. His immune system is weak and he is highly vunerable to infection... where his body has no defense to fight back.

...



I have heard of and seen many success stories, I hold only high hopes this is one more on it's way to victory, or at least a chance for a longer more productive/fulfilling life. Especially a chance for Andrew and his wife to enjoy their 9 month old son, together.

...

Life is just so unpredictable... not just for Andrew and his family... but for all of us.

~Note** That is why I always emphasize to live true, live kind and live full, tomorrow is not promised to any of us... we can be physically gone (literally) with a blink of eye, or a single last beating of the heart.



Don't fret about the silly things... ask yourself, "is it really worth the waste of energy"... I ask myself many times. Then, each day I wake... go to work and realize time after time... so many things many people worry about, is truly nothing to really, truly... worry about at all.

MrJoker said:

I am really a good witch, good witch of the west. ~Smile.

Freespirit said: