Does anyone else feel a little guilty having a little success or joy in the middle of all this crazy, awful stuff that is going on?

We are having a kinda good autumn here but, I am feeling a little guilty for having so much to be grateful for. Of couse the house isn’t as clean as it should be, there are always things to be fixed and things be cannot afford to do but, look what we got to do!

Chris and I had a great time in Pasadena, CA at the AMTA Massage Convention, I got to volunteer and help at the Society for Oncology Massage Booth, I got to be in a local magazine (http://www.chestercounty-life.com/issue-sept-oct-17/index.html?page=50), we got to volunteer at the Green Earth Festival at the Phoenixville Farmers Market, we got to see Dar Williams in concert and get her book autographed!

We got to do massage for over a hundred riders and survivors during a three day, 200 mile bike ride raising money for breast cancer Tour de Pink, Chris and I got to help out at a firebird fundraiser at a local brewery, Halloween was awesome we gave out 14 bags of candy, and that was just September and October.

Thanks to Unite for Her, I got to speak at two hospitals this month, Paoli and Phoenixville, we both got to speak at the regional S4OM gathering, I got to go to an art show and see some incredible art and three new people decided I get to be their massage therapist!

Chris and I got to work inside the polls for the first time. That is a labor of love and it is a challenge. We are in the largest county that still does handwritten ballots and yes we do have to hand count.

This is a great time for birthdays. Three dear couples brought three beautiful children into this world in three different states! Chris had a pretty decent birthday, he wanted to go the National Dog Show and we got to take our niece with us this time. We have been to the Phoenixville Farmers Market several times, Steel City and Artisans Coffee Shops, Francos, The Eco Store and of course Diving Cat! We had another date night tonight, which may sound strange to some but, for me it is a big deal to go to Lowe’s, the grocery store, have dinner at Zoup’s and hit the bookstore. My husband won my heart in the first place by buying me a book instead of a drink.

It is not that I made it a month or even a week without someone saying something to me or me to them that was misunderstood, awkward, snarky or mean. We gotta know we are not perfect and we are always trying to be better.

We do miss those that are just not with us anymore or cannot be with us. We may even experience some sadness and grief while make pies or checking on the bird. We can still gather and enjoy time with, and appreciate the all of us that are present. I am really thankful for all the people that have crossed my path, those that I have known for years and some I have just met. How can I not be thankful when you can say you have been visiting, got hugs, petted many dogs, explored and learned new things with beautiful people?

I know the world seems really horrid right now for many but, I am thankful and looking forward to work tomorrow at the hospital, doing to cleaning, cooking, baking, reading, writing and having another wonderful gathering with family. So go ahead and share a joy or beauty or cool thing ya got to do. Let’s have some thankfulness and appreciation for ourselves, our families, our friends, our communites and our lives without feeling guilty.

So if you are willing and can donate a few bucks, consider helping with beautiful organizations that allow me and Chris to volunteer with them. Giving Tuesday is coming up soon!

The Society for Oncology Massage www.S4om.org

Unite for Her www.UniteforHer.org

Young Survivors Coalition https://www.ysctourdepink.org/

The Phoenixville Firebird Festival https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/2017-phoenixville-firebird-festival-music-arts#/

And Paoli Cancer Center https://www.mainlinehealth.org/ways-to-give/paoli-hospital-foundation

“Those who are not grateful soon begin to complain of everything.”
― Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude

Happy Thanksgiving!

Xerlan & Christopher Deery