Some of you have encouraged me to continue blogging. The CARINGBRIDGE site has been wonderful! I will keep it as it is for future use just in case I need it. That brings me to the topic of this blog.....trying to be alive!

I do not plan for this to be a blog about cancer as the other has been largely. I have some things on my heart that would best be described as spiritual things that I will be writing about. But first I have on my heart that sometimes it is difficult to "reenter regular life" after being ill.

Russell seemed to understand this. In August I had my regular 3 month scan which was clear of any visible cancer (PRAISE THE LORD). He went with me the morning I was to speak with Dr. Shipley about the results. He wanted to drive his truck so we went in it. When we received our good news he told me he had other news. We needed the truck because he was buying me a red motor scooter.

Now I have never been one of those motorcycle people, but Nora is training for another marathon (Mary and Matt too but they are not here!). She runs miles and miles and miles throughout Macon County. With a scooter (since I can't ride my TREK bicycle yet) I would be able to go along with her.

We are now a subject of discussion in the county. I have my scooter rigged with water bottles and snacks for her. She runs and I ride. It is great fun for me!

Just yesterday after going with her on a run I went off to the gas station to refuel my scooter. I have named her LIGHTNING BUG. (Reference Patsy Clairmont's speeches and book about FireFlies.) Lightning Bug and I were just tooling along enjoying the morning when I realized that being on Lightning Bug makes me feel so alive. Can I explain that ? No not really. It just happens. It is the same freedom I felt as a child riding a bicycle. I just laughed to myself and thought about how great it is to be alive.

Lightning Bug is special to me. She gives me freedom and experiences I would have missed otherwise. I think of my friend, Loretta, who did not survive the cancer as I have so far. She rode Harleys! She and her husband rode Harleys all the way across the Blue Ridge Parkway. At the rate Lightning Bug and I go it would take forever to ride that far!

I have been told that cancer has changed me too. Like Lightning Bug it has given me experiences I would not have otherwise had. I have tried to allow God to work through those experiences and to mold me into a more caring person because of them. I am trying to help others who are on their journey through treatments and such. I have been told that cancer has made me more open with my thoughts spiritually. That is where this blog will come in. I plan to share some of those thoughts. Writing helps me to clarify them for myself. Maybe some of you will want to join in. If so, feel free to do so. Thanks for staying with me though my journey so far! Maybe Lightning Bug and I will see you around! HEHE.