I was searching for Easter candy at Pick N Save on Thursday and the candy display just happened to be set up in front of an elderly lady who was setting up her table to give out samples. I was looking at a Lindt chocolate bunny and she said "how much are those, anyways?" I said " I am not sure. I don't see a price." We searched and found a sticker below the box of bunnies that said $3.99. " I have grandchildren " she said. " I will have to buy them some of those." Normally I would have gone on with my shopping but for some reason I felt compelled to talk to this women. She proceeded to tell me about her life as she set up her little table to give out samples of applesauce. She placed the tablecloth over the table and taped it in place and set up her little stand for the day. She lost her husband 35 years ago and spent her life volunteering for the Florentine Opera and Elmbrook Hospital while always having a full time job until she retired. Within the last 5 years she has had cancer twice and spent a good deal of time sitting at home feeling sorry for herself because she had cancer, until one day she decided to do something about it. She went out and got a job again. She works 2 days a week and then she has to "rest" she said. "My kids think I am crazy" she said, but "it was the best thing I could have done for myself." We continued on our conversation talking about the price of choocolate and how she remembered buying chocolate creme eggs at Quality Candy when they were only 39 cents a piece. Now they are $1.39 she told me. She smiled and laughed and said "well now that you know my whole life story, I hope you have a wonderful day!" I have been thinking of her all day. She touched my heart. It was if I was meant to meet her today and hear her story. As I have said before you never know what other paths people have traveled. You will find them in the most unlikely places.

don't you know I have cancer

I think back and remember my thoughts when I first diagnosed and weeks after that before I really had a plan. The world seemed to continue as normal, yet I didn't. Time all of sudden stood still.

I saw the guy running down the road on his daily jog..... "how can he be running... don't you know that I have cancer."

Some friends called us and asked us to dinner......"how can we do that... don't you know I have cancer."

The mom in the store was yelling at her little son who was crying....."why are you doing that.... don't you know that I have cancer."

My husband leaves for work......"work? Don't you know that I have cancer."

My kids are going out on Saturday night, can you pick me up at 11? "Yes, but don't you know that I have cancer?"

I see some friends laughing in the store......"how can you be laughing.... don't you know that I have cancer?"

I see the lady fixing her beautiful brown hair in the rearview mirror as she sits at the stoplight. "hair?.... don't you know that I have cancer?"

I sit in the house one night alone while my family carries on their daily activities....."don't you know that I have cancer."

"How can everyone and everything continue on as normal when I have cancer. My life has stopped right at this moment."

Little daily things that I always took for granted or never even really thought about had new meaning.....and they still do.

Time has moved forward. And so have I!

Thought for the Day

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.
- Eleanor Roosevelt-

Roasted Asparagus

Spring means asparagus and although the weather is anything but spring-like here in WI asparagus is plentiful in the stores right now. I love to roast asparagus and it is the only way I do it now. You can either roast it in whole spears or cut it up into smaller pieces.

Roasted Asparagus
1 bunch of asparagus.
large cookie sheet or jelly roll pan
Salt
Pam Spray
Butter and Balsamic vinegar
Place the asparagus in one layer on your cookie sheet or jelly roll pan. Lightly spray with Pam spray and salt the asparagus. Roast in the oven at 375 degrees for approximately 20 minutes or until desired tenderness is reached. Melt and cook a small amount of butter (approximately 1 tablespoons) on the stovetop until browned. Remove from burner and add balsamic vinegar (eyeball the amount-approximately 2 teaspoons) Pour over asparagus and serve.

Just last week I was sitting outside in this chair basking in the sun. Today, this!