Saturday, April 01, 2017

Hello!


How happy I am to be back at my blog! For the last few months I've been unable to include photos and that's very much cramped my style of communication here. But as of this morning, it looks like that problem is fixed. So my first update is my current location.

1. JB and I are staying on the bay in Provincetown, while our house is being renovated. This 3 months away from home, two miles down the street, means that we are waking up to sunrises like this every morning, each day watching the flow of the tides and the bounce of light off the water. 

It has been restorative. It's so lovely. Thank you to the universe for offering up an affordable rental that is perfect in every way.


2. #whynotdevin: at the end of January, a 6 year old little boy who is the son of my daughter's good friend Christine was out of the blue found to have a cancer called DIPG. Its location on the brainstem means that there is no treatment, no cure, no survival. In 40 years, not one child of the 200-300 kids each year in the USA has survived more than two years. The average life span with DIPG is 9 months.

Something remarkable has happened with Devin and his family. At first his parents asked, "Why Devin?" Then, as they refused to accept the fact that there is no hope and he will die, they asked, "Someone has the be the first one. Why not Devin?"

They, my daughter Jessica, and now many many others, started a national campaign to raise awareness and research funding for DIPG and to save Devin's life. Google or Facebook whynotdevin and you'll see what is happening. The fight has gone viral. Please help with prayers, wishes, donations. The tumor is aggressive and time is critical. We are truly manifesting that Devin will survive and thrive.


3. The renovation of our house: it is a much larger project that we ever imagined. New foundation, new shingling, new electric, new kitchen, new bath, new roof, upgraded windows and insulation and of course, all kinds of fun shopping and planning and designing.  It's been scary financially but JB and I are willing to let our knees knock as long as we don't jump in blind. 


5. Grandchildren: Last June, in the panic of Jessica's cancer (mis)diagnosis, we quickly rented a studio apartment so I could help with the kids and help however else needed. The little one room apt has been a godsend because our grand kids can come and stay and play. Here we made flowers with 5 year old Logan and he taped a flower garden to the picture window. 

I am in love with these kids. I love that I am lucky enough to have children whopping up my life.


6. And finally, TADA: if vision becomes reality, this will be our new Cape Cod kitchen. To say we are excited is a vast understatement. With luck, the whole renovation will be done by mid May.

7. And one more finally: my book manuscript is done. With the help of a few trusted readers, I'm in the revision and editing stage, hoping to begin shopping for an agent or publisher in a month or two.

All in all, I'm in good shape. Excited. Curious. Grateful. I say this with recognition that the world is 50% terrible; that the USA president is dangerous; that the age of Aquarius is in hiding. 

love
kj

14 comments:

  1. I am so happy that you're back to your blog!

    Wow, reno all the way back to the studs! We did that too with our kitchen - might as well upgrade everything. It's worth it in the end.

    It's all so very exciting!

    Many prayers and healing mojo being sent into the universe for Devin. As a parent, I can't even imagine.

    So, hands together and fingers crossed that all good things keep happening to you and yours.

    Much love.

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    Replies
    1. hi 8, thanks for all your encouragement. we're chopping at the bit to get back to our house at this point. the finish line is slower than we want!
      love
      kj

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  2. I'm missing blogging too. I'm so sorry to hear about Devin. At times it seems there is so much suffering in the world, too much suffering.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hope all is well with you, deb
      love
      kj

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  3. Lovely to see you and the pics. Miss you and see you soon OK? XOXO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yes, see you soon. that will be super!
      love
      kj

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  4. I'm glad you are doing well and have all these projects and sorry for what Devin is going through. Will Google. Best to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you e. it's nice to hear from you.
      love
      kj

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  5. I feel so badly for Devin's parents. I can only imagine how they must be hoping for a miracle and I wish that for them.

    Looking forward to seeing the renovation when it's done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. cs, it's been as awful as anything could be. they have 3 other boys and they are trying to go through this as a family, not be separated even as they look for trials outside the u.s.

      I've been following other families who have been through this hopeless dx of dips and it is tragic. surely in 40 years you'd expect some progress. not so.

      love
      kj

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  6. Glad to read that you're back to blogging and you finished a book! Yay! I'm writing a memoir about the 90s and my mothers' murders. I appreciate the diligence it takes to finish a book. Your life in P-town seems perfect! Good luck with your renovations. Such a relief that your daughter was found free of cancer. It's difficult to be upbeat in our trying times. You show the way. I wondered about the Devon posts on Facebook and now I understand. I hope a cure is found. "Why Not Devon" is a perfect name for the fundraising campaign. Again, it's lovely to see you here in the blogging community again! Xxo

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    Replies
    1. hi Cynthia, it is so nice to hear from you and thank you for so many kind insightful thoughts. putting a coherent and credible book together definitely isn't as easy as I used to think! I'll be interested in your progress. I imagine there might be some catharsis writing for you. I am always so sorry about the loss and circumstance of your Mother.
      love always,
      kj

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