NAMASTE


I used to practice yoga- then cancer happened. With great anticipation, I made it back to my mat today! The heat in the studio was 105, the lights dimmed, and the music moved me. I'm ready. It wasn't long before class began- I struggled to hold the pose. I looked at my body in the mirror, and tears rolled down my cheeks. I laid down on my mat and modified my workout. For the first time, it hit me how hard my body has been working to fight cancer. I said to myself, "I'm Here”- I showed up. I thanked my body for fighting so hard for me.

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER, ELLEN

ELLEN

ME.

LOVE LIVES HERE.

The day after chemo treatment is my most challenging day. My daughters know this, and they show up and sit with me. They love me up, serve me hot soup, and share stories about their week. They also make sure that I rest. Their love, prayers, and friendship bring me great comfort. God has blessed me with kind, supportive, strong daughters, and I thank Him for these beautiful women every day. They are my heart.

MY DAUGHTERS, EMILY AND ELLEN. JANUARY 2023

Special Sunday.

Thirty years ago, we bought a cottage in Michigan. On Sundays in the summer, we worshiped at a church at the lake and met an extraordinary priest, Father Sammie Maletta. His sermons were unforgettable; Father Sammie is a natural leader who loves and serves God and others with his whole heart. We fell in love with him and his messages and asked if he would come and say a blessing over our new home, and he did. But unfortunately, Father Sammie moved to another church shortly after, and we lost touch.

Today, 29 years later, my husband and I visited Father Sammie. We shared with him some old photos of that special day. He was so happy to hear that the home he had blessed long ago was filled with our big family, great memories, love, comfort, and God. Sammie thanked us for the update and appreciated hearing how he made a difference in our life. Today we sat in his packed congregation and were moved to tears by his profound message—about our changing culture and how we can do a better job of loving one another. What a blessed day.

LAKEHOUSE BLESSING 1991 - FATHER SAMMIE MALETTA

ST, JOHN THE EVANGELIST PARISH. ST. JOHN INDIANA 2022

Day 5.

Day 5 after chemotherapy. I woke up today with no headache, nausea, or fatigue. I am battling some anxiety after this round of chemo, letting my mind wander into the abyss. When my head tells me I'm sick, I lean on the support of my family and prayer warriors. Their prayers are working. My heart tells me God has my plan; I stay in my faith, He is there, and before I know it, I have passed through the hard spot.

I will go gently through my day; I will focus on Jesus. He has me by the hand and takes every step with me.

MY MOM, MY SISTER, MY DAUGHTER.

Round two.

I am leaving Miami with my bucket full! It is filled to the top with sunshine, gratitude, confidence, happiness, and hopefulness. I am leaving Miami rested and ready to fight this next round. The only way to get through the hard things is with love, prayers, and faith over fear. I can do this, again!

Peaceful Sunday


Life isn't easy, I recently won my battle with ovarian cancer, and I am a living miracle. I share my story to raise cancer awareness but mostly what I want to share is- hope. I am told that my tumor is growing again and I will be starting six months of chemo on Thursday. For any fight you face, find your faith, pray, focus on your good days, lower your bar on the hard days, and reach out because you are not alone—

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
HOSPITAL ROOM ON 10/10/21

Mighty Monday

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Matthew 5:6

Mavis B

FALL

The first day of Autumn… pause and take it all in.

BE STILL. A PAINTING FOR MY SISTER.

Turtle

She sent a note to my inbox about joyoftheday, What a beautiful surprise. It confirmed what I already knew, life's most meaningful moments are found; in moments like this. Thank you, Rebecca, for touching my heart with your kindness, turtle, and prayers.

Subject: Blast from JR high Past/ Offer healing prayers with you

Message: Dear Leslie,

I found this site after a brief reconnect with brother in law Randy about 11-12 years ago. Casually looked up your name and this site has been an inspiration and a thing of beauty for me.
Thank you for sharing...the most wonderful thing I noticed was you have that awesome spirit that I still remember from jr high. Kindness, artistic expression, and a deep and abiding faith in spiritual matters. It has kept me ( on occasion) checking back.
I saw the physical challenge you have faced this last year and wanted you to know i have and am still sending my prayers for healing as well.

This may seem funny but I have a silly clay turtle I struggled to create in jr high when we shared an art class together. The teacher ( Mrs. Hosely (spelling may not be correct) was a big fan of my older and artistically talented brother. I can't remember if she commented on my lack of talent or I was just so insecure in myself, but creating that work of art was a total struggle.I still have the turtle( my Mother loved it)
I have always recalled that your kindness and encouragement to me in that class made a huge difference. Funny how some simple small acts of kindness remain.
Thank you.
So, for today I wanted you to know every time a see that silly turtle I think of you and send out my prayers for a complete and total healing from this challenge you
have been facing.

With thanks,
Rebecca ( Sue )

TURTLE BY REBECCA SUE - 1972

Sunday's gift.

Sunday with family refuels my soul. #Stronger than cancer.

SIMON,BOOM,EMILY,HUGO,ELLEN,QUINN,GRANDMA,DANNY,MAVIS,TESSA,HENRY. MISSING HAZEL AND FELIX. (at summer camp)

QUINN,GRANDMA,BOOM,MAVIS, AND HUGO.

Find peace in prayer.

My doctor told me last week that my cancer number has increased. My remission was short-lived. I have been processing my latest news and feel a pull to prayer. Prayer is where I find total peace. I will continue to live in faith, trust God's plan for me, and let HIS light shine through me.

ME!

Trust

I lost a new friend today. We became "text pals" through our cancers. We talked about treatments, scans, our highs and lows, what we ate, and the weight we lost; We chatted about our beloved husband/wife and kids. We spoke of things that cancer people carry. I found great comfort in getting to know this kind, humble friend. We talked about fear and faith and our choice to trust God and His plan for us. No matter what we faced with cancer, we could remain strong. Mark is with Jesus now, home and at peace. Oh, how I would love to read one more text from him about heaven. I will miss him.

MARK VICTOR BENOIT. RIP. February 1, 1955 - June 25, 2022

One year ago, June 15th.

Last year on this day, I began the daunting task of killing cancer. My first chemo treatment began. I knew I was entering the biggest challenge of my life. I felt alone and knew the only way to make it through this was through prayer. As my bad news spread, blessings poured in, from my family, friends, and friends-friends. I now had prayer warriors who prayed for me, called, sent flowers, delivered food, and baked cakes.

This love carried me and healed me. I experienced the power of prayer and the grace of the Holy Spirit. I am living my new life in remission; A miracle.

Today, I pray with my whole heart for a long list of hurting people, family, friends, neighbors, and friends I have yet to meet. I carry them with the same compassion and love that they gave to me. It is my honor and opportunity to give and be more for others.

OMESHA. FRIEND AND PRAYER WARRIOR.