AuntAnnie, safe travels to your daughter. Be sure to take Loisde's advice-- go visit your daughter while she's living abroad. Give her plenty of time to get settled and find her place there. Maybe go spend a couple of weeks near the end of her stay. I was fortunate to be able to do that, after my daughter studied a semester in Florence, I went over and we traveled for two weeks. I was able to see Italy for the first time, through her eyes. Priceless memories.
Loisede is right-- seize the moment.
There may have been material purchases I've regretted, but I've never been sorry I've spent money to travel.

Oh my goodness iamq, I gasped when I read your post. Could I come over for a lesson, hee? That is 'on my list'. I have always wanted to work with clay. I have no idea if I would have any ability, but you don't know until you try, right?

Dream a lil dream... ((8))

Thank you Loisde, for the reminder. There are many places I want to go, but more importantly, things I want to say to people that I don't always say. I learned after the sudden death of my children's babysitter to let people know how much you appreciate them THEN, not later. Tell people who are important in your lives that they are. Send cards when you feel prompted to do so. You never know when you may make someone else's day.

Money can be a factor in taking trips but don't let time be a factor. My family travels often enough, counting little trips, but so many of our friends do not. They ask us how we do it. We don't have more moeny or time than they do but tell them it is about priorities and making the time. Family time is extremely valuable to us.

Prayers will be lifted up for Terrie.

Tiff,
It is amazing what can happen when one starts to listen to "that little voice".

I'm not sure you'd want me teaching you! LOL. We have a wonderful community art center/museum in town and I enrolled in a class earlier this year, and I have not looked back.

-Bill

Tiff---indeed, you'll never know until you try! Maybe you could look for a pottery class at your local community center? I did that in college and loved it. I am not the least bit artistic, but I found I had a special gift for working with clay. It is physical (especially with a kicwheel, which I preferred), mental, and artistic all at once.

And Bill---for Yosemite, why not pick up the phone and see if they have any openings? Cancellations show up all the time. We were just there 10 days ago, camping in Tuolumne, but we called and got into Curry Village one night (so we could hike up Half Dome and back), and one of the High Sierra Camps one night. The beautiful high country should be open vor several more weeks yet, and the Valley of course is very nice well into October. And yes, the air is very special there.

Peace to you all, and prayers for Terrie.

Thank you iamq and enzian for your kind messages. I will keep you posted, hee. I actually have given business to several local artists, maybe they would let me sit in as an intern and observe just in case my community doesn't offer any classes. You just never know.

Loisde ~ Thank you for posting your "Do it now" post. Everyone needs reminding now and again, even when one lives each day knowing and appreciating their blessings. I think it would please your niece to know that she has already touched so many lives. I have no doubt that you have inspired her by being a great Auntie.
Thank you for inspiring us, too.
>:D<

Hee, Loisde, iamq and enzian ~ In no way do I want to hijack this beautiful thread Loisde, but wanted to let you all know that I did a google search and found an eight week class at a studio in downtown Minneapolis that starts in three weeks. It is actually close to where I volunteer, so I know the area.

I will call tomorrow to see if they have openings for fall or winter classes.

Something so simple, but I thank you.

Loisde, you post last night has stayed in my head and heart since I read it. It is so true that we don't know what the future holds in store. My heart really goes out to your family in its difficult time. I hope everyone gathers close to Terrie and the warm embrace of family will help keep her strength and courage.

In the spirit of "do it now", my husband and I decided (in June) not to cancel our upcoming trip to Africa, despite my ACL tear and resulting knee surgery. The encouragement of the Fodorites on the Africa board helped my resolve, as did my doctor who said we may never get around to it if we don't do it now and my physical therapists who have worked very hard to help me rehabilitate. As a result, my husband and I are leaving for Africa in four days. I'm not 100%, but I'm well enough to travel. It is one of my dreams to visit all seven continents; Africa is my 4th. It might have been "easier" to cancel the trip and sit home, but then my dreams would be postponed.

Loisde, keep your dream of Paris and make it happen.

Loisde, thank you for this inspiring thread. I'm very sorry to hear about your niece but PM is right, there is much that can be done with the marvels of medical science. And i will add my prayers to the others.

Brings to mind one of my favorite sayings ~
you can always make more money, but you can't make more time.

Also, you go Tiff! Keep us posted.

Loisde, thank you so much for posting this. About 3 hours ago, I had read only about halfway thru this thread when my wonderful dh came in and said, "Let's take a ride to the swimming hole". It's only about 5 miles from us in these beautiful mountains we live in. Normally, I would have said...you go ahead while I finish the chores.

But, this thread made me say..."OK, let's go". It was a great drive and a fun couple of hours with the one I love best.

Thank you.

And, my prayers are with you and Terrie and all the others who may need a prayer said for them.

>:D< i'2

And I am going to quit worrying about having everything so perfect (not that it every is) at home and start enjoying life more.

Loisde, I think you would be shocked how many minds and hearts you have reached with this thread of yours. We all will pray for a miracle for your dear Terrie. Please take are of yourself too.

Tiff, I took pottery classes when I was going through a rough time years ago. A long-lost friend happened to sign up for the same class (there are no coincidences!). The first two weeks we just sat there letting the clay spin through our fingers - and letting the stress release. We chose the softest - and hardest to work with clay - and it felt like melted chocolate. I have about 10 pieces - most small - but are treasure momentoes. The biggest treasure is the gift to myself to slow down and do something for myself.

Thanks Loisde for an amazing post and thread. Prayers are going up for you, your family and Terrie.

Loisde and Terrie, our thoughts are with you both. I have always been a do it now person, DH is the opposite. I've done my best to change him and he has come around to seeing that you don't cancel or postpone things - specially travel related things.

On the spur of the moment I booked a trip to Paris over the Holidays. A week after plunking down non-refundable money for airfare and the apartment, I found out that I have arthritis in one knee and probably in the other. Fortunately I took out travel insurance immediately, even before I knew of this new condition. But I would only cancel and use the insurance if my leg fell off :-)) I'd rather hobble in Paris than sit home complaining.

Now I realize why I put this trip together so quickly, it was for a reason, albeit unknown at the time - who knows where or if my knees will be in the near future. Had I known the diagnosis at the time, just maybe, I wouldn't have booked this cold weather winter trip.

Go to Paris anyway that you can. As you have shown us, you never know what the future has in store for you.

Take care,

Nina

My mom died from ovarian cancer a couple of years ago so I learned then that life is short and if you want to do something, you'd better do it now, as Loisde said. That's why I'm finally starting to travel. I just got back from Hawaii and would like to see more of the US and maybe go to Europe at some point.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

I wanted to post an update . . . Terrie is scheduled for a Gamma Knife procedure on Thursday a.m. Her doctors say she has a 90-95% chance of a good outcome. Those odds are encouraging.

Thank you all for your kind thoughts. It means a lot, especially from strangers.

That is indeed very encouraging. Thank you for the update.

Those are good odds!!! She, and the rest of the family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Oh, Loisde - such good news indeed! I have a friend who was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and she is beating those odds, too! Having a big community of prayer warriors helps!

And I sure hope you make that trip to Paris someday. Keep your dreams alive!
((L))

WOOHOO!! Please keep us posted on her progress.

Now let's all celebrate by doing a happy dance. 8} \:D/ =D>

Hey, P M!
You're a GOOD dancer! :-)