April Showers...

10:10 AM Elizabeth Seckman 8 Comments

My mother always assured me that God will give me no more trouble than I can deal with.

Hmmm...sometimes I wonder if God has just a little too much confidence in me.

Here's the break down. Early April (I refuse to attach dates...I refuse to consciously remind myself of bad times), it became evident that my dad's treatment was failing. I have been a daddy's girl my whole life and the thought of severing that bond took my breath away. BUT...God reminded me of all the times my dad carried me...like through Bush Gardens when I insisted on wearing the sandals he warned me would give me blisters. My dad was always there...quietly fixing things I broke, bailing me out of scrapes, sneaking money into my checking account....I was so spoiled when my husband asked him for my hand in marriage he sighed and said, "Chad, I raised her to think she's a princess...she's spoiled and sloppy and spends a lot of money...knowing all that...if you still want her...bring me a horse and she's all yours."

That was my dad. He was one of a kind.

But now he needed me to be strong. As cancer stole the man I counted on, God gave me the strength to hold his hand and promise him everything would be just fine.

The day my dad died, the MRI report came back on a lump my son had on his finger. Report suggested he have a biopsy to rule out a sarcoma. Talk about making the compass spin till I had no idea which end was north. Talked to the doctors in the 'know' prayed and prayed and got myself calmed down....and before my son got home from school! God is great. :)

About a week later I lost a friend. RIP Cathy Oliver. Wonderful woman of strength and character. She will be missed beyond explanation. Her death defies reason. She was too young and healthy to slip away like she did. God only knows the reason...we mortals can only scratch our heads.

Then I failed my mammogram. Radiologist explained that I have calcium in my breast. I asked, "I'm a mammal...isn't calcium in the breast par for the course?" The answer is not necessarily...schedule a biopsy.

So, as we wait for all the tests...I only know one thing for certain...in all things there is GOD.

I feel the devil throwing punches, so I'll just step out, send my proxy fighter* into the ring and we'll see how it all plays out.

*This is my simplistic theology...that's how I see Jesus...that friend that you only send Christmas cards to, but always call him in the middle of the night when you need bailed out. And even though he knows he doesn't owe you squat, he still puts on the gloves and watches your back cause you ask. He's cool like that.

**Results of Cole's biopsy were fine. Thank you God. :)
**Results of my own biopsy were also normal. I was told 9 out of 10 are normal. That still leaves 1. And 1 is too many. Continue to pray for those 1's and for a cure. 

8 comments:

As Long as the Band Plays...

2:39 PM Elizabeth Seckman 8 Comments

During this ‘trying to get published adventure’ I spend quite a bit of time cheering on and being cheered on by other writer friends ( and of course by my husband, who I must add has recently asked to be included in the edit process and I am now imagining all the poignant places he’ll want to add some fight/sex  scenes and  spandex bikini wardrobe changes…but that’s a topic for another time…)
For today, as I closed an email from a friend who offered up all the love and support a wavering wannabe could ask for, I decided it was only right to give back. So this is a post for the aspiring writers.  

*Now, I know not everybody in the world wants to get a book published, but for the half of the world that does, here's a thought...

Getting an agent or an editor is like dating. You shower and dress pretty for each date. But not every date ends in a score. Sure, some have more luck than others and their every date becomes a sure thing, but they are the exception, not the rule.
For the rest of us? Plan to put your party shoes on and dance till your feet blister and you think your shoes just might wear out...then you may be getting close to that magical moment when the stars align and love strikes.
What to do until then?
1. Enjoy each date. There's something to learn from each one...even the toughest 'don’t call me’s, I’ll call  you’s' teach you something.
2. Respect your date. Just because they didn't show the love doesn't make them an idiot. Follow up hate mail will only flag you as the idiot that you are.
3. Don't make every date a blind date. Find out a little something before you ask them out. Do they share the same  interests? Like the same kind of books? Why waste your time and sensitivities on people who aren’t even your type?
4. Find a writer buddy. You'll need a shoulder to cry on, preferably one who understands that a 'personal rejection' is something to be brag about.  (And who can be trusted better than a friend to let you know you have spinach in your teeth before you head out of the house?)
5. Always remember, your first love is rarely your true love. Keep creating while you’re planning other dates~you don't have the luxury of wallowing in the past or in a single work.

I know you’ve heard it all before but I’ll bore you with it again… If at first you don’t succeed, then write, write again.
Cause as long as the band is playing....then we shall dance!

Chin up, fingers cramped, and God will bless. :)

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