Last night I had a PEO meeting where we talked a little bit about how one of our members was doing. She has been spending much of her time up in Naperville Il with her daughter who is basically preparing to die. It breaks my heart everytime I think about it all. She is 48 years old with a daughter and son. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 35 when her daughter was 5 and her son was 3. Maybe that is the part that really gets to me. She was no different than me. Granted she has lived a long time... and has been able to accomplish many of her goals and has at least got to see her children become teenagers. But it has been a long battle for her... the cancer always coming back ... in new places. I can't even imagine what it must be like for her and her family. I know this is a story that you can hear over and over again... so many people seem to be affected by this. She is truely an amazing person... although I've never met her personally. She has ran I don't know how many marathons and has beaten the odds so many times. She is trying to raise money for her oncologist research in Chicago. Donate if you so desire. Here is her website if you would like to check it out. I read it but usually end of crying. It's not that it is at all focused on saddness.... it's just that I personally can't handle it. It just breaks my heart. To think that she is going to die very soon. That her children will no longer have her in their lives. It doesn't seem to matter how old you get .... you still need your mom. And as a mother.... you want more than anything in the world to be there for your kids.

www.caringbridge.org/visit/stephlesiecki

I'm telling you..... I think I'll just stay in a state of depression today.... might as well... between this and the fact that Barack Obama is going to be our next president.... I might as well just stay in a hole and cry all day!!!!! Hope the rest of you have a better day!!!!!

Anyway.... I'm was just reading Stephanie's website again and just wanted to add this that someone had written to her on the guestbook. I just thought what she said was wonderful and wanted to share.

"When I read your journal entries I experience a range of different feelings. They go from happy to sad. I realize how fragile life is and how things can turn in a matter of seconds. At the same time I realize that the only way to truly enjoy life is to be conscious of every little wonder that we have in front of us and enjoy every breath we are given. When I read your journal I start realizing things we take for granted like being able to feel the air caressing our skin or our tummy going up and down each time we breath, the sun warming our bodies and even the warm feeling on my butt from my car seat heater! Being conscious of every moment in our lives makes life a miracle and you remind me of life wonders."