The Countdown to Wedding Day is On

As I sit here, we are 13 days from Madison and Adam's wedding day. Every detail has been thought of and many hours and stitches have been logged. Her dress, the portraits, the flowers, down to the penny for her shoe has been done. We now wait for the appointed hour when we gather to witness, not the giving away of the bride, but the gaining of a new boy to our fold. I'm still pondering just what it is I'm suppose to be feeling. Sadness is not one of the emotions. I'm so excited to sit back and watch it happen. We'll have many, many pictures and lots of stories to tell. In the meantime I plan to breath it all in...or at least try.

The First Without Short Storys

It's been a week since Christmas came in it's usual way and left in its same manner, a hurry. This was a first for JW and I as we spent Christmas Eve without the company of our girls. It was very bittersweet and if I could choose a forever wish it would be to have them ALL here on that special night.

Our family gathered in the usual way at my aunt Deborah's. This year rejuvenated a long ago tradition of playing games. The fun we had was wonderful, but the memories we made were priceless. I only hope this becomes something we continue to do. This year we chose to exchange tacky ornaments. Oh what fun it was to open the gifts to find something totally out of the norm. and to know that on some other family member's tree will hang a memory of Christmas 2011.

On Christmas night Madison and Adam's cats, who were spending the holidays with us, made a great escape. Clyde was quickly recovered, but sweet Gloria was no where to be found. Our hearts were broken to think she had disappeared. After several days and lots of prayers, Gloria came home the following Friday morning. I felt like the angel who brought the news of Jesus' birth as I walked around almost singing out, "Gloria". Nothing felt quite as good as being able to call Adam to tell him that their girl was home and was safely back with her brother.

December marked the six month countdown to Madi and Adam's big day. Although many things have been taken care of, there's still plenty, plenty, plenty to be done. Now that the new year has started, the wedding dress building can also begin. My prayer is that my grandmother will be here in spirit to guide my hands and heart.

I think this should about wrap it up for tonight. My hope is to be able to update a little more often as we move toward the wedding day. We'll see how that goes.

Red Velvet Christmas Dresses to Magical Wedding Dress

After many weeks of putting off another entry I find it necessary to update where our lives are right now.

On a day in May I received a call from Adam, Madison's boyfriend. He nervously asked when JW would be home and I told him around 4. He then asked if it was ok if he came to talk to the two of us. As the parents of a daughter you assume that this day will come. Little did we know how fast time would fly and how soon that day would arrive at our house.

Adam arrived at our house and as we sat on the porch, he asked so sweetly for our permission to ask Madi to marry him. Adam has found a special place in our hearts in the past few years. We see the happiness he brings to Madison and know that their love is genuine. JW's quick reply was, "NO!", but he quickly had a smile that said the opposite. Adam had known about a special ring that belonged to my mother that he wanted to give to Madi. We made a trip to see Gee and he fell in love with the ring.

This was only the beginning of a long wait between that day and the appointed day he had chosen to propose to her. The day he came to ask us was opening night of our spring production, Dearly Departed and the Friday before Mother's Day. Madison had recently received the news that she had once again lost her job at AHS. My heart was heavy knowing that, but the simple knowledge of what was about to take place seemed to make it all better.

When Adam left us that day to go back to Charlotte, JW looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, "My baby is getting married". It was like her whole lifetime passed in front of me within a few minutes and the little girl that made her way into the world after being 3 weeks overdue and 18+ hours of hard labor had grown into a young woman in the blink of an eye. It seemed like only yesterday that I watched as her daddy danced around the delivery room exclaiming, "I have a baby girl, I have a baby girl". In that moment I played the song he had chosen (on the way home from the hospital with her) as their first dance song and we danced in the kitchen...as we often do. We were both speechless in those moments, but I knew exactly what he was thinking. We could not have picked a better person for our Madi. Adam is her magical prince who makes her eyes shine and fills her heart. We are blessed beyond measure and I can now say that for Mother's Day 2011 I received a new son.

Our journey toward the wedding has begun. Now stand back and watch her dance. It will be a magical ride

Fruition

The long journey of building 'Faces of the 'C' Word' has come to fruition. As of this past Tuesday, I have a book published. The stories fill the pages that will bring tears to your eye, a warm feeling in your heart, and with lots of hopes and prayers perhaps a few dollars to go toward finding a cure. I hope you will set aside a bit of money to purchase one and hopefully one day we'll know a world without cancer.

FACES OF THE 'C' WORD by Kelly Forrest Story | Make Your Own Book

Whew, the whirlwind I am living in..

It's been a while since my last post. I constantly have thoughts running through my head about what I need to include in my next entry, but finding the time to do this is sometimes tedious.

As part of Team Short Story, we created the Purple Glove Dance video. We received unbelievable response. After much procrastination on my part, I finally got it edited and published. Now the hard part is getting people to go watch it and to vote on it daily. Here's your challenge, go to this link: and vote. CLICK THE RED BUTTON THAT SAYS 'STANLY COUNTY'S PGD' IN THE UPPER RIGHT CORNER to access the link!


You can vote once daily through 7/31. Should we win, we get $5000 that will go to our Relay For Life. Just think, you could make that difference. If I can watch it 15,914 times putting it together, then surely you can do it once a day. Thanks so much!

Now, an update on the book. After taking 2 days just to create the 'C' for the cover, it's well underway. I'm adding pages daily and with each entry I'm rejoicing with the survivors and cherishing the memories of those who have passed through the words and ideas that the family members shared. God is still the CEO of this project. I'm so excited to see it all come to fruition and can't wait to share it with all of you. I'm desperately trying to keep the photos a secret, but I find it harder each day to do so. I want everyone to see and feel what I am.

While in the middle of all of the video and book editing I found myself auditioning for another Uwharrie Players production. What was I thinking? I had said I would not, but in a moment of pure stupidity I did it anyway. I'm so glad that I did. It's a great cast of people and our director is phenomenal. It also gives me a chance to be with one of my favorite honorary Short Storys, Bradley. This is a great challenge and the part is one I have wanted to play for many, many years. The play is 'Dearly Departed' and involves the death of the patriarch of a family and the usual planning of a funeral....southern style. It's very funny and definitely going to be one you'll want to come see. Once again, I'm playing an older lady that's full of 'spit & vinegar'. I guess I'm seeing myself in a few years through these roles.

Since we're on the subject of the UP's. JW and I attended the annual UP awards banquet last Saturday. JW got called back into work while we were there so he missed a huge part of it. We're so proud of Staley. She won another 'Best Supporting Actress' award and 'Fav. Female Comic Performance' for her role as Lilly St. Regis in 'Annie'. Many years ago my parents took us to see 'Annie' at Ovens Auditorium in Charlotte. I was a junior in high school. I can remember wishing that night that I would someday have a little girl to play Annie. I instead got a little girl who played Lilly (a hooker). Dreams do come true. They may not be like you had originally dreamed them, but they do come true. We're all so proud of Staley and very proud to be a part of the Uwharrie Players.

With all of this going on I can honestly say I'm living in a whirlwind. It's the way I survive and would not change a thing...except to see my Short Storys more often.

Peace, love, & smiles!

Leave a Tender Moment Alone

I struggled with the title of this post, but thanks to Billy Joel I found it. God put several tender moments in my day today. When you talk to people who have or had cancer, you see that every single moment is tender and special. Perhaps this is one of the things he's teaching this hard head. I'm learning not to try to over analyze the moments of my life. I am learning to accept them as His will.

God gives us so much and today He gave us such a beautiful day. I met with a sweet young lady and her mom about her wedding coming up in May. Her mom works with my aunt, Deborah, and is also fighting a courageous battle with cancer. Because of not knowing with the future holds with her mom's cancer they moved the wedding from November to May. What a blessing to spend that time with them and to see the excitement about the upcoming wedding. For the joy she was showing, I know that underneath is the fear and dread that cancer loves to throw upon its victims. She, like everyone I have talked to about their experiences, has such an unbelievable faith. She is strong and knows that God is there in everything. She's amazing. I'm looking so forward to the wedding. We talked about how even the smallest things mean so much more. This wedding will be magical.

Later this afternoon I did another session for 'Faces' at the home of my sister-in-law's family. Amy, my sister-in-law, lost a sister to cancer a few years ago. Connie had fought a hard battle with cancer. She was the mom to 3 special children. I had watched her kids grow up from the kitchen window of my mother's house. She lived her every day for her family. At the time that Connie 'won her war', she had no grandchildren. Today I photographed her babies, all 5 of them. They are precious. Although she never knew them here, I'm sure that before God sent them to their parent's that she must have rocked them in Heaven. I just had to think as I photographed tiny Hatley, that Connie must have been there. After just a bit of fussiness she finally calmed and lay there so quietly with Connie's picture. You could feel the presence of an angel. Connie was there in that tender moment. What a privilege and honor to have this opportunity. Every step these little ones take she will be there to watch over them. Cancer may have taken Connie from them here, but I know it was so she could take care of 'her babies' from a higher place.

The tender moments hidden within my day have been stored in my heart. Thanks be to the One who makes it all possible.

Finding Nemo - Just Keep Swimming

Just Keep Swimming, Swimming, Swimming

It has been a totally uplifting day in so many ways. I had the opportunity to proctor exams again at AHS. The young lady touched me in such a special way. She told me of her plans after graduation of wanting to join the army. We talked about how we both hated math and that overcoming that was a feat for both of us. She said she wouldn't join the Navy because she couldn't swim and that her sister was in the Army and she wanted to be like her. I told her how proud I was of her and how someday she would be a wonderful soldier. It's going to take great determination, but she's got it and she'll go far. She brought such a light to my morning. Keep swimming, girl! I'm proud of you!! As I walked out to my car, I stopped right there in the parking lot and said a prayer for her. I asked God to guide her footsteps and to protect her. I also gave him many thanks for her.

Yesterday I went for my mammogram because I had, once again, found something a little suspicious. I had purposely not told anyone (including JW) that I was going. In our family, a mammogram can reveal things we sometimes don't want to hear. Thanks to wonderful angels who led my way to the Breast Center, I got there and 'survived' the party. I got the results today that, although there is a cyst, it's nothing to be concerned about. I'm good for a year. I'll just be swimming, swimming, swimming!!

We had our monthly Relay meeting and I can feel the energy bursting in this group. It's great to see God working through all of them. Yet again, I have to think...just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. With all of this hard work, Relay will be walking on water. We may not be making a huge difference, but sometimes it's the small differences that change the world. Every small stroke in the water takes us just a bit closer to the goal.

Finally when I got home and checked my email, I had some sad news that a friend who is battling cancer got some 'not so great' news from his latest scan. This person has the faith of a saint. He is such an inspiration to me. He and his wife are a part of 'Faces of the 'C' Word'. I'm so proud to have them in there. Stay strong, my friend. We know that Jesus calmed the water when the disciples were afraid. He will do it for you. Keep swimming, swimming, swimming! When your arms are tired, God will paddle along for you.

I hope if you are taking the time to read my ramblings that you will stop just for a moment that you send a prayer for Danny.

Life is good and I am blessed beyond measure. Amen? AMEN!!!!

From High Hilltops to Art Galleries. From Church Altars to Haunted Trails

From the beginning of this unbelievable journey, I have said that I did not know exactly what God was doing in my life. He's changing my heart and my spirit. I never knew that cancer would take me to the places I have been. More importantly, I never knew that terrible, no good, horrible, rotten disease would bless my life in ways that I cannot describe. He's put so many people in my path that are more than willing to share their stories, their experiences, their tears, and even their laughter. Cancer can take away if we allow it, but it can also give us blessings beyond measure. With every story came the stories of the blessings that God gave each of them. Each of them are blessings to me.

From the early morning spent with a special teacher to a wonderful lady who lost her mother way too young and shared her story of her journey to Paris, God changed this hard headed person. He took me to the altar of a local church with a sweet lady and her gentle spirit. He even took me back to several years ago when we helped the Shriners with their haunted trail and to the man who made the haunted maze his work of art. Each journey was unique and every person a blessing.

During this journey I have thought so many times about Dr. Seuss' "Oh The Places You Will Go" and this quote:

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.

And another:

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So...
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
you're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!


It's now time to put it all together. The culmination of this work is coming together only by God's grace and Dr. Seuss' encouragement.

"Thank you, thank you, Sam I am!"

Dixie Chicks - Wide Open Spaces

It's for Sta.

And God Gave Us Another Story

It seems almost unbelievable that 23 years ago tonight we waited for our second Story to come to us. I had all the reservations that any parent had, but I'll have to admit I openly wondered if I could love the second baby as much as Madison. Madison was our heart. She was full of life, giggles, and wonder. I would wonder how God could take the same two people and create something so totally different. Would this second child have my eyes, JW's nose and cheeks like Madi? Would this child come into the world and show us from the beginning that being left handed was what it was all about? Would he/she love Grover and Big Bird?

The next morning I woke in labor. We left behind our sweet little girl who was my heart to go get her 'My Baby JimBob' at the hospital. Labor was much easier than the first time around and after the epidural it was a piece of cake. At 4:59 pm our little Story made her entrance. JW, with tears in his eyes, exclaimed, "She looks just like Madi!". She immediately peed in the nurses face and I should have known then what a ride this was going to be. They laid her in my arms and I realized that Madi was my heart, but this little baby was my soul. She looked exactly like her big sister except for her tiny mouth. She was practically perfect in every way...just like Mary Poppins. "My Baby JimBob", as she had been referred to for 9 months now needed a proper name. JW wanted her named "Mary Grace", but I knew in my heart that this would be my Staley Truett. She shares my PaPaw's middle name.

I could not have been more wrong about not being able to love that precious little gift. She did have dark hair like her sister's, but her eyes started to lighten where Madison's got darker. She was definitely not a lefty and was very scheduled. You didn't mess with Staley when it came to her sleep.

Staley Truett has grown to be a loving, boisterous, talented young lady. In her blue eyes I see the one for whom she is named. She still loves her sleep and it's best to not mess with her. She has a big voice and loves to sing but only when she's ready. She loves her animals and her Bryan. Madison was a daddy's girl, Staley was mine. She has her daddy's way of not worrying and her momma's stubborn streak.

Where Madison has been my heart, Staley has been my soul. She is truly a gift from God and I thank Him everyday for this gift.

Happy Birthday, Staley Truett!! I love you immensely and forever.

Prejudice

In all of this gathering of information for the book I have come to realize something. The one thing in this world that is not prejudice in any way is the 'C' word. It does not stop at age. It cares nothing about the color of your skin. It shows no remorse for treating a female the same as a male. It never looks back when it affects a family.

In all of this I also see that God shows no prejudice either. That means there's more than one thing that shows no prejudice. He's there for everyone fighting the battle whether it's that cancer warrior fighting so bravely or the family and friends affected. God is mightier than all of Satan's evils...including cancer.

As this amazing journey continues I look so forward to the opening doors that God is leading me to. With each one I am changed in ways that words cannot explain. I see things so differently. Sometimes it's so sad that I melt into a puddle of tears and other times, I feel as though I will burst from the joy that I feel. In all of this, I continue to pray that God will use me as His instrument. I also pray that the stories we are telling will bring encouragement to those who are reading it.