Your Ornaments

November 23, 2023

    As Thanksgiving neared and cancer treatment right around the corner, I found myself doing a lot of soul searching.

Twenty-twenty-three has turned into such a tortuous year for me. At times I couldn’t tell up from down. Let alone focus on the healing I needed from the surgery and other various medical procedures I had incurred.

Add in a lost friendship that I didn’t ‘appreciate’ but ‘loved,’ (yes, there is a huge difference) only then be diagnosed with that dreaded disease in of all months; my ‘birthday month,’ just topped it off. 

     The trips to Boston and Wisconsin helped. But I was home again ‘thinking’ it over once more all too soon. I looked fine. Acted fine. What you couldn’t see was inside. The emotional pain ate away at me. Day in and day out my mind wouldn’t stop. It spun in every direction possible. 

     Not one to ask for help, I devised my own escape plan. And here it was…

    I turned to you, the ones that have always made me feel comfortable and accepted me for who I am, rather than who I’m not. I asked you each to choose an ornament to help lift my spirts while not only fighting cancer but to have some reflection on my life as well.

Here They Are 

     Tara and Daughter ‘M’ (above): when I need anything, even if it’s just a hello, I turn to you. Half the time you’re already there waiting for me, and you’ve never let me down. It’s because of yours’s and ‘M’s’ initial selections of the GLASS TREE and BUTTERFLY that I kicked this whole thing off! It just kept growing and growing. For that, I am forever grateful and even more grateful for our lasting friendship! Thank you and ‘M’ from the bottom of my heart for being the true meaning of a ‘forever friend!’ Love you both! 

     Kristyn (TL) SLINKY DOG: I can honestly say, I wasn’t expecting this as your pick. But he is so ‘cool!’ You were the first, out of box, from the ordinary ornaments. Clearly you were seeking the smiles it has given me. Thank you, my friend, for always finding time to share and such a wonderful ornament selection.

     Linda H (TR): you’ve always been a ‘purest’ and your pick holds true to form. ‘MICHIGAN’ is where our hearts will always be no matter where our minds and bodies take us. Thank you for the stark reminder of where I’m from and our grounded beliefs. We are ‘Pure Michigan!’

     Linda K (BL): we’ve known one another our entire lives. From kindergarten through high school, we rode this ‘BUS’ to and ‘fro’ and ‘back and forth,’ together a lot of miles. And like our friendship, it’s stood the test of time! Thank you for your love and support throughout the years. Most importantly, I wish you peace and newfound happiness in our years to come. 

     Loren (BR): your choice of a BELL couldn’t have been more perfect of a selection. It symbolizes the ringing in of a ‘new life.’ One of love and peace, chiming in the future, remembering to look forward and not back. Time is as precious as life itself and I thank you for the life and direction you’ve helped guide me in.

     Mickey (TL): I would’ve known this was from you, even if I hadn’t already. You’re my favorite ALIEN writer on this or any other planet! Thank you for the never-ending reminder that, “In the end, it’s kindness and compassion that’ll save us all. Not violence and anger.”  You’re the best, thank you for that kindness and compassion! 

     Nadege (TR): this is the type of SNOW I can truly enjoy. Not cold, nor wet and meltable. But warm like your soul that’s always filled with kindness and words of encouragement. I ‘thank you’ not only for your pick but for those thoughts and prayers you’ve included too. 

     Natalia (BL): I don’t know if there’s anything I can say to you that I haven’t already said in private. But I’ll put it here for the world to see nonetheless. You came into my life when I needed something. What it was I hadn’t a clue. A friend perhaps, an achiever, a doer yet someone who faced their own personal battles as well. A mercenary of sorts. Someone to save me not from myself but from the world as a whole. And you did just that. Your story changed me. You found these SKATES as a means for me to balance life’s icy ponds. I’m truly blessed to call you, my friend. And from every ounce of my being, I thank you, not only these, but for ‘the little things’ you bring too! 

     Rachel (BR): You and I are more the hunter types. Quietly carrying our ‘pitch folks’ in a direction of solitude and bliss. Yet the story goes that a girl befriends a NUTCRACKER and he came to life to wage a battle against the evil Mouse King. You are that girl, not by any algorithm, but by fate, who found me in order to bring me to life so I can defeat my own evil, the cancer that dwells within me. I’ve heard you play; it brings me joy. Such talent, yet so shy and because of you I have a fighting chance. Thank you, my fellow ‘Sun Devil’ for the lovely selection and strong support! I shall survive and learn to play!

     Anne (TL): We’ve only known one another a short while but your posts bring me joy every time I see them! When you offered to choose an ornament, I knew you’d pick something meaningful and special. And there’s nothing more meaningful than ‘AWARENESS!’ I will forever remember this! Thank you, my new friend! Your support means the alot to me and hopefully others now too!

     Isabela (TR): You are so much like your mother. Kind, caring and compassionate, you’ll make a fine doctor one day soon! Her and I kid about how much you’re like me, yet it’s yourself and her that have brought the true meaning of the season to light in my time of need. Your ANGEL – CROSS shows where your heart and soul are and that’s very special, just like you! Thank you for caring so much!

     Jennifer (BL): Thank you for Snoopy and Woodstock! You’ve become an amazing friend since I crashed into your pages. I believe both characters would agree that ‘Good friends are music for the soul,’ and if that’s the case, I hope we become great friends throughout the years! You’ve inspired me with your fantastic storytelling abilities, graciousness and altruism for checking in on me by simply asking how I’m doing from time to time. That is more than admirable. This year’s journey has been a rough road to say the least but you’re my brightest highlight reel. Thank you, Jen, for just being Jen! No one could do it better! #FavoriteFollow #BestBlogger

     Caroline (BR): OMG I love it! Thank you so very much! When ‘originality’ is defined in the next edition of Webster’s Dictionary, this should be included as its definition! I’ll look at these and always remember you backflipping up to whoop the butt of a Russian spy, all the while taking down that Megalodon from where these ‘SHARK TEETH’ were pulled from! 🤣🦈 You’ll be the only one getting the emojis today, while the cancer in me gets ate by another shark, the one you’re now in cahoots with! 

     Gabriella (TL): SNOOPY and WOODSTOCK you couldn’t have picked a better combination than these two characters that designate ‘BESTIES’ like our relationship is. Our friendship is as special as theirs, while our love and respect for one another is even greater. Thank you for being in my life and the moral support you continue to offer! Love and hugs my friend! 

     Ines (TR): A GLASS NUTCRACKER is as precious as your musical talents. Breakable as a heart and soul while strong enough to last the ages. I’ll cherish it the same as your kind words of love and support. Thank you, from across the sea, my friend!

    Tracy (BL): Perhaps I should’ve started with yours because of ‘the difference’ you’ve made in me. I feel safe in saying, today isn’t the day we were brought up to believe in. Yet with your humble and truthful words I found solace in knowing I’m not the only one. Maybe someday the rest of the planet will see things our way as truth and forthrightness in any form can change a heart. Thank you, my friend and ‘NEVER FORGET THE DIFFERENCE THAT YOU MAKE,’ as I surely wont!

     Karissa (BR): First of all, ‘Ris I miss you! Six years is a long time. And I’m not sure you’re aware of this but I’m trying to put an end to your mother’s dominance of tree decorating. This wonderful ‘BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG STOCKING’ just may be what it takes to put her down! This is what I’m doing to take my mind off the cancer. So, unwittingly by suggesting an ornament you’ve signed on to ‘Team Rick.’ Just want you to know that I’m thankful for your kind words, the great choice in the ornament and maybe see you in California next year. Love you.

     Ralph and Jennifer (TL): You both mean the world to me, you’re always there and our friendship has turned into an extended family setting. I’m honored to be your friend and grateful for your support while I fight this cancer! May you both be blessed beyond belief and thank you for the wonderful ‘TWIN DEER’! 

     Shiny Hippie (TR): You and I are so much alike that it scares me at times. We want to conquer the thoughts of others, so they see our light. A light that shines brighter on humanity than anything imaginable. We think, we write, we tire because things go nowhere. We reach the breaking point of all life’s struggles. And as your choice in ornaments reads, we finally get to our ‘LAST FUCK!’ However, because of who we are and our beliefs we save it. Thank you, Shiny, for the reminder as I was about to use my last but now it’s safely stored in a bottle forever!

     Tammy (B): I’ve thought for days on end for something ‘special’ to pen here and it became a bigger challenge than I anticipated. So, I’ve let my heart take over. The ‘RACE CAR,’ you chose, and your book ‘Kiss the Bricks’ will always live within me, as will you for being the ‘realest’ person I’ve ever met on social media. You climb no fences after a victory nor cause any accidents during life’s race. You’re stable, you’re caring and humble. You’re you, one of a kind. Thank you, Lucky 13! 

     Every one of you hold a special spot in my soul and I’m extremely grateful you’ve participated in this emotional uplifting with me. I’m expected to be informed about my treatment schedule any day now. Once it begins, I can now look at the fully decorated tree and remember how each of you played a role in its design and why you’re such a huge part of my life.

     And to those few whose ornaments I’ve yet to receive and friends no longer here, I’ll think of you as well. But don’t stop at me. Look for someone else you can cheer up, too, and play it forward. It doesn’t cost you a thing to be kind to others and it takes less time to text a message or place a quick call, than it did to choose me an ornament! Like Nike says, ‘Just Do It.’

Thank you all and …

…HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Holidays and Cancer, Christmas Ornaments

If you enjoy my website, please consider a small donation to help me keep it afloat at paypal.me/justmeric. Thank You.

You can find my sites on Linktree.