REINCARNATION!!

The strangest thing happened to me yesterday - Beth calls from her job to ask - have I checked Facebook today?  No, I was working - but immediately went to my page.  An old friend whom we don't see often these days had posted that I had crossed over - yup - that I had bit the dust, kicked the bucket, etc. etc.  After pinching myself several times and being sure I have a shadow (!) comfirming that yes, indeed I am still here in the flesh, I immediately responded that I am indeed ALIVE AND WELL!!  Actually, before I was able to correct this misinformation, several people wrote lovely things about me - hold those thoughts, friends!!  (Nice to know my legacy has a postive slant ...)

Of course, as always with this big C journey, events such as this give pause to contemplation.  Mortality, legacy, loose ends!   A reminder that I must indeed give away some more of my books, clean up my studio, weed my garden, and tell those I love I LOVE YOU!!!  I've also heard recently that yet another acquaintance has moved on beyond cancer and this world.  This is always a reminder of how fortunate I am that my body and my determined spirit are not ready!  I am so lucky that I have been able to respond so well to treatment, and that I have such an amazing circle of support.

So what do I want my legacy to be?  What do I want people to remember?  Certainly, that I found the love of my life with Beth, that I had the amazing experience of raising Jim and Dan, that I have a fabulous family and circle of friends.  Also, of course, I hope anyone who chooses to recall my life will think about my passions - for social and economic justice, for the right to literacy and education, and of course my gardens. 

I am starting a memoire about some of the amazing experiences I have been fortunate to participate in.  I feel I have been "an extra on the stage of life and social change."  I was an eager but minor participant in civil rights activities in North Carolina and Georgia - activities that changed my life and my spirit.  I had the wild experience of being part of the "underground newspaper" The fabled "Great Speckled Bird" in Atlanta.  I was part of the Venceremos Brigade, early (not yet legal) expedition to Cuba to learn about the best of the socialist revolution.  And I have spent my life exploring and serving the need for literacy and reading skills for all.  In addition, I have supported the exciting efforts to gain our rights as LGBTQ members of society, with the exciting results this year of a law approving gay marriage in RI!!

So, dear readers, I am thrilled to be still here with all - glad I didn't come back as a slug!