Anniversary – Bring on the Joy

A year ago today, I went through eight hours of surgery to remove a cancerous node from my cervix. My brother and his wife waited patiently in the waiting room for reports from my oncologist. I can only imagine the boredom and worry they went through as well as my family who were waiting to hear. I’m happy to say that the surgery went well, and the ensuing chemotherapy over the next six months has so far resulted in two cancer-free visits and an abundant re-growth of my hair. Here’s a brief recap in pics of the past year and my gratitude to all those depicted and those undepicted who supported me throughout!

I’m taking this anniversary to review how dramatically my life has changed as a result. I’m now retired, spending a lot of my free time working on various democratic efforts to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz to the White House, and to try to bring the house and senate into Democratic control. This has involved enthusiastic post card writing, some phone banking, and avid following of various campaign leaders, most prominently Simon Rosenberg of The Hopium Chronicles. I find his positivity about the work of democratic warriors inspiring and just the kind of joyous forward movement I can enthusiastically adopt for myself in this new phase of living. One thing I know for sure is that I don’t want to turn around on November 6th and bemoan the results of the election, or fault myself for not having done enough.

I now volunteer once or twice a week at the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. On Monday, this week, there was a large group of high school students there, and the energy was high. I spoke with some of the teachers and they shared that they were promoting “tikkun olam” or world repair to their students by having them come to work at the food bank. Over a little less than two hours, we packed 1,792 kits for families. Wednesday’s group was smaller with only 616 kits, but each time I go, I enjoy meeting someone else who is there and finding out what encouraged them to come.

I walk or hike about four times a week but this has been disrupted by a lot of serious travel this summer, another new way for me to spend my energy and time. My most recent trip was to Canada to visit with long time friends and enjoy the rain in Quebec. We spent four active days exploring the countryside and the little village where they live. It was truly a delight. The last night we heard some local jazz at a local restaurant.

Here’s a shot of Sally after we rescued their rowing shells from the rising water on the dock. At one point, Sally remarked, “Didn’t you row crew at St. Paul’s?” I must say lifting the shell out of the water should have been more innately familiar/easier but we eventually got the job done. What I’ve learned over the summer of travel is that it isn’t so much the travel as the people you are doing it with or to or for. It isn’t that I have a curiosity of place, so much as a desire to spend time with friends in interesting places.

I’m reminded by my mentor, Bob Edgar, that the work of writing and creating needs space, too; I’ve begun carving out several hours a day to work on publishing a book I’ve finished and trying to do new writing as well. I’ve learned from better writers that it is important to not discuss what you are writing. Not sure why that is but I can guess it’s to avoid having unwanted feedback during the very delicate process of creation. And to give the writer permission to change course without anyone asking about the prior course.

Physically, I feel good. Psychologically, I feel optimistic and forward thinking and feeling. I’m ready to slough off negativity and think positive, healthy thoughts about the future of our country and my life. I’m excited for the growth that so many of my loved ones are experiencing and look to celebrate this coming year as a new chapter for us all.

This week was the first week of school, and while it was definitely strange not being there and gearing up for the push of the first semester, I’m really enjoying my new status as retiree.

Getting excited for the first day of Voting. Vote as early as you can, which is as early as September 16th in Pennsylvania, and October 7th or 8th in California, so that the evidence of all the hard work democrats have been doing is visible early on. And if you’re looking to get started writing postcards or phone banking, check out this Activate America link which has a lot of options to get involved. And practice gratitude every day.