2010: Finding Firsts

In the spirit of imitation being the most sincere form of flattery, this post pays homage to my favorite blogger, Teri Conroy of Wunsapana Farm. Her farm name alone tells much. Her end-of-year-reflections continue to inspire me, encourage me to grow and blossom with sharing.

Celebrating living with cancer

What a difference a year makes.

2010 was a year of firsts. At any age, firsts are exciting surprises, but at my advanced age (Mickey's tongue-in-cheek humor), finding firsts is an exciting and occasionally challenging adventure.

In 2010, I learned I had a life sentence with cancer, cause for celebration. I discovered white light, healing powers, living in balance, finding faith, and talking to and walking with God. I made a promise (and kept it), shared my story, and committed to cancer awareness through research, education, and my cancer blog. By understanding and discussing my disease, I acquired a global audience and know our cancer communities are united in hope. I celebrate my cancer, my life, because Life Is Good! Many firsts.

Debi, Jacob, & Tess

Greatgrandmother Gigi & grandkids

Our Grandchildren

In 2010, I made my first iMovie from my first FLIP camera. It took 4+ hours to upload to Vimeo, and again as long to render. It celebrates family life, on and off the farm. My first unassisted iMovie. For the first time in 3 years, our blended families were together for days of holiday happiness. Special for us was Christmas with Jacob & Debi, who traveled from the ends of Kansas to celebrate family life. As loving as our llamas are, Jacob was terrified by their nuzzling, their need to say hello. Perhaps this summer's visit will find Jacob falling in love with llamas.


Christmas with Jacob & Debi 2010 from RJ Stangherlin on Vimeo.

Allie & Kendall

Beloved Julie

For the first time since 1979, we chose (3 firsts) to raise a puppy, to drive to meet Peggy Parries of Laurel Forks Labs in VA to pick up Allie (526 miles, but Allie did 800 from Laurel Forks), and to purchase a Black Lab (not a Welsh Terrier or German Shepherd Dog). I made a choice to have a user-friendly dog, and Allie is just that. Considering our ages, if Allie lives a good dozen plus years (we're hoping), she could very well be our last puppy. Somehow I do not see myself starting over with a puppy in my very late 70s, should I endure and prevail (and I do plan on exactly that). Allie's entrance meant saying goodbye to Julie, a great dog we had all too briefly in our lives, the downside of rescuing older large-breed dogs for so many years. First time I took a puppy, and an ADHD one at that, to a nursing home to spread joy and cheer (and she does).

Dorman & The Girls

Uncle John & SP

Jen & Tess

A final first in a year of many has to do with sharing, always an inner conflict between the desire for privacy and doing the right thing. So this year marked a foray into sharing farm life with a larger small circle of friends. First llama walks. First Open Farm for the Day. For the courage to move forward on the sharing initiative, I thank Teri, who not only shares her farm, but her friends as well. I am blessed with Helena, whom Teri sent my way, along with a host of FB friends from Wunsapana Farm who teach me the joys of sharing and support me in large ways.

Hours old

2010 saw the birth of our first cria, Gold Is Where You Find It, aka Golden. All our llamas were bred by my dear friend and GALA 2010 Conference (another first) Co-Chair Carol Reigh of Buck Hollow Llamas. They are animals with sweet dispositions and amazing fiber. Although I said I would never go through breeding again, I look to breed Tess and Et Cetera in spring.

Favorite Photo of 2010: First Cria, Golden, w/Tess and Mama Llama Rev (on right)

My other favorite photo: Tess as everything but milk to Golden

What do I hope 2011 will bring?

From Laurel Forks Labs Website

• More life on the farm. 
• More commitment to living life on my terms, not my cancer's. 
• More sharing. 
• More birthdays. 
• More staying connected to my real life, not the busyness of living.
• Just more.
• Successful surgeries for Mickey. 
• More giving (and I have something wonderful in mind here, but that will be a secret for now and a surprise for later).
• A first visit to Teri Conroy and the wonderful family of friends at Wunsapana Farm.

2011 will find me still the caregiver on the farm, the keeper of many promises as I continue to face first light.

Happy New Year to all.

Related articles

• White Light, Prayers, and Facebook (beatingbackcancer.blogspot.com)
• How Can I Find A Clinical Trial? (everydayhealth.com)
• A Guide for the Cancer Caregiver (everydayhealth.com)
• Book Review: The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer (arts.nationalpost.com)

Holiday Happiness

Peter, Kennie, and Ken cooking

Life is good. Holidays were even better. We began the family celebrations at my husband's daughter's home with a feast. Let me tell you, a food fest is always in store for anyone invited to their parties. Ken stayed up for 14 hours to smoke the 17-pound brisket that was the main course. God bless. What made everything special for me was the inclusion of our daughter Debi and son Jacob. An energetic eight-year-old, Jacob really made Christmas an event. We're still LOL from his delightful insertions into the day with classic one liners (you didn't clap) and singing carols. What a wonderful holiday shared with family.


Christmas at Carol's 2010 from RJ Stangherlin on Vimeo.

Holiday Blessings

My philosophy is very simple: if my extended family is well, God must be in His heaven and all's right with the world. So it was this holiday, one of many blessings, figurative and literal. Even with weather issues, the girls were happy, as always, just to have their (overly) generous portions of grains and hay. Llamas are simple creatures, joyful just to be fed. Anything else is a bonus. We could learn much from them. As the days progressed, I could see some herd changes, who leads and follows, and where. For food, Rev is always first, but to go to the pastures, Tess is the new leader, with Et Cetera right behind. These two, both not with cria, seem bonded in adventures, while Cierra and Rev, pregnant, are more settled, less likely to risk anything that Cierra does not deem safe. Allie Cat is fine, fat, and happy in her very large domain, with a balcony in the barn and a cozy hayloft. Indoors, cats and 125 pounder watch dog all do well.

Literally, this holiday has been a blessing in so many ways. Finally I got a clear diagnosis and treatment that seems to be working, so I am grateful for the blessings of health, appreciative after 6 months of feeling like my life was waiting in the wings. My family's health is good, but with my brother and mother facing surgery early in the new year; luckily, my husband is the rock he always is. And we were entertained so magnificently this year, beginning with Christmas Eve with our Villa friends and Father Homer, who said a private midnight mass for the 8 of us. Blessings abounded. Then, Christmas morning with mother and brother, hours of loving fellowship. On Christmas night, dinner with Mickey's children, a feast.

Were I to characterize this holiday in a word, I would choose thoughtful. At every turn, in every way, tremendous thoughtfulness made Christmas so special. Blessings abounded, and in the spirit of gratitude, I am thankful for God's abundant blessings.

Tomorrow, my son's family joins us, and while it is a challenge to keep things simple, I have, thus far, succeeded. It's all good.

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A Country Thanksgiving

Ever wonder if place contributes to the joy of a holiday? While I have always believed that it is truly the people that make a holiday wonderful, over the years the location has become important to me. Perhaps that is why we do so many holidays, only this year I made an important decision: I would do Thanksgiving for the families but not Christmas. That resolve did not last long, however, since if I want to see my children, I will be yet again hosting the holiday. But I am considering taking it to a lovely restaurant for the dining segment only. Years ago I did that, and it was nice but not the same. So, place matters, and for me, nothing is more beautiful than a country holiday.

A restaurant, however charming, cannot replicate the feeling of being home. Still, at least for now, after a busy "vacation" that did not seem restful, I may make the move for dining out and desert and Christmas at home. What would the holiday be without life on the farm, "the girls" and just being out and about in the country landscape, especially for city grandchildren. We'll see, and only time and health will tell the final outcome. I'll let you know. For now, I am thankful that I could handle yet another year, although I suspect it is coming time to pass the mantle.
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