Happy Happy Day

Yes, it’s been forever and no, you don’t need to worry. My focus continues to be on being healthy and finding balance as a cancer patient. Metastatic melanoma is just one of my many interests in life. If you feel a lag, know that I am just not writing, nothing less, nothing more! Or be in touch!

Spring is Here!

The first day of Spring! Hooray and the sun speaks of things to come; it may only be a whisper but those of us who disparage winter’s worth can feel the change-a comin’. Subtle and yet, as bold and brash as a billboard, Spring shows itself. I’ve noticed a few green shoots popping through, daffodils undoubtedly. I’ve scoured the scrub brush out back for the snowdrops, but think I’m over zealous. Not everyone jumps for the joy of a plant you forgot about or that you thought you lost!!!

Seeds are here, too! I planted a few things and look forward to doing more. Dahlia seeds are already popping up…of course, this is all indoor adventure to keep me smiling through the rain and snow that inevitably comes this time of year!

Happy Days

Today is also International Day of Happiness according to the United Nations. Nothing better than a day to declare happiness. Well, yeah, except why not try our best every day? Great to recognize that feeling of happiness with a special day; after all you and I have our own special day each year. How about making the effort to make every day one of happiness?

If you are challenged by disease, relationship, finance..whatever it may be, do you feel better for all your sadness, self pity, and sorrow? The best serum is courage; courage to drop your sorrows and make room for love and hope. Easier said than done when you are wallowing in your misery, but happiness is really not hard to come by.

Open up to let it in, grab for the positive, and see how happiness curls into every corner of your life. I firmly believe that each of us has only so much room for sorrow and pain before it takes us down and conversely, I believe that positive feelings of love, doing for others, and having fun can grow and multiply infinitely. And is contagious…catch some!

Misery Loves Company

Of course, I want to bring reading in to this post. As a librarian, I’ve always loved children’s books. I read everything but with all the amazing children’s authors out there, I return to what is dearest to my heart. Happiness is around every corner, every page if you choose to find it.

The 2017 Newbery winner was The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill. What an amazing novel with many accolades, and add my thoughts to the collection of positive reviews.  Recommended for children in grades 4-6, I would expand that target to any reader in 4th grade or older. This could be a particularly pertinent read for a 13th birthday or a coming of age event. Adults, read it!

Not a big fantasy reader, I couldn’t wait to pore over each chapter, most of which are reasonably short in length. With magic, a tiny dragon, missing babies, and a town drowning in sorrow, who wouldn’t want to keep reading to see which witch is witch? The real magic comes in Barnhill’s words; she will have your children clamoring for more with the richness of plot, descriptiveness of place, and the authenticity of characters.

And no, I don’t want to give a spoiler but the sorrow that consumes the community in this book…well let’s just say some thrive on  that sorrow and self-pity, while others work hard to bring happiness in to their lives. Oh yes, this is a children’s book but if you read deeper, I know Barnhill shares a message we all can find if we so choose. #melanomatheskin #cancer #happyday #happyspring #wecancervive #melanoma #Wednesdaythoughts #review #choosehappiness

Happy Day! Happy Life!

We can-cer vive!

Janis