I've been meaning to share these photos of poppies, peonies, and iris with you for a week now, but after I returned to work following a month long asthma flare-up, my free time became quished into little dribbles of moments that weren't condusive to serious photo editing and posting. (It can take from four to six hours to process the photos, rotate, resize, name, and post them, along with positioning them in the article so they appear in an aesthetically pleasing arrangement.)
Then, on Thursday, I was told that my chest XRay, supposed to prove that my breathing issues were nicely resolved, showed a lump or mass in the right lung. Never a smoker, I couldn't imagine such a thing happening to me. Could it be? Would God do that to me after all the challenges he's thrown my way?
The visit to my Primary Care Provider was a bit comforting, he said in most cases these things did not turn out to be the dreader C word. But my father died of lung cancer after it metastasized from esophogial cancer, and I had many friends and family who were also currently dying of various forms of the horrible disease, so the odds he presented seemed shaky. He scheduled a CAT scan for yesterday morning. I went through the procedure, which was not a big deal, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't full of trepidation. After a nerve-wracking day, right in the middle of my twin daughters' 22nd birthday celebration, the phone call came.
I took the phone with trembling hands and walked into the other room. If it was bad news, I didn't want them to see my face when I heard it. To my intense relief, the news was good. The doctor on call (not my regular PCP) told me it wasn't a tumor, it wasn't cancer. It was this odd thing called a granuloma, which could have been caused by a recent infection, or by some long ago exposure to TB. Strange, but I welcomed that odd diagnosis with open arms.
I was going to live! At least for as long as God planned. And I'd be around to care for my disabled wife, her aging mom, my three college aged daughers, and my two beautiful grandsons for a little bit longer. I'd be able to write those 100 LeGarde Mysteries that I'd planned!
I'd imagined the worst, starting planning for my death during those 24 hours. I tried to imagine the finances, how the life insurance would be used to pay off the second mortgage, but was worried to death about my wife and who would care for her when her mother (now in her eighties) became too frail. I imagined my daughter, Melanie, singing "o babbino caro," at my funeral, and listened to her recording all the way to the CAT scan. It simultaneously comforted and saddened me, and I thought I might miss her debut performance some day on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera stage. One of the worst thoughts was the idea of not being at my daughters' weddings, or watching my grandsons grow up. I want so badly to continue to be an integral part of their lives.
I know, it was melodramatic and presumptuous, but I couldn't help it. I am the caretaker of everyone in our home, I've always been so, and I couldn't imagine any other role. Besides, there was no one around who could've driven me to chemo in the city, so it just couldn't happen!
I realize as I write this that many of you have been on the hook, waiting for results, for much longer. Weeks, months, years... waiting for the test results that weren't always good. I have colleagues and an aunt who are dying as we speak of the dreaded disease, and my heart goes out to them and all of you, for all the pain you bear.
For those of us blessed with the promise of life, I pray you wake up today to take pleasure in everything around you. Enjoy every second of every day, stop to smell the sweet fruity fragrance of the iris, marvel at the softness on your child's downy cheeks, cuddle with your loved one as if it is the last time you'll ever have the chance, crush aromatic basil leaves and inhale the heady goodness of the herb... Live life to the fullest, for it is the greatest gift.
So, here, in celebration of life, are a collection of my most recent flowers from last week's and this week's garden. Enjoy, my friends. And thanks for stopping by to read and tour my garden, once more.
Flame peony - a single petaled variety with an astounding, nearly fluorescent hue.
Tree peony - a delightful rose and yellow blossom with an amazing scent.
Salmon Poppies, such a unique color. Soft and inviting.
Blue iris - so cool and refreshing, with a fruity sweet scent.
Sarah Bernhardt Peonies
Flame peony, from the top.
Spent poppy, next to opening bud.
Another one "from the top," a pure white iris with a spicy scent.
Stay tuned for more, today new colors burst open, beckoning to me. I hope to capture them soon and post a new tour. Bless you all. ;o)
rate
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 68
I doubly rejoice in your good news.....and the flowers are spectacular........but I knew they would be!
Remember I'm in line for the 100 books!!!
Oh, speaking off, my two copies of the LeGarde books are now slowly wending their way to you...I sent them media mail and should not have! It will take at least 3 weeks and the cost was more than if I had sent them Priority......!
speaking of slow boat....this is a very slow outrigger canoe!But, who knew?
Anyway, great flower pictures. I hope you are with your family for many, many, many years to come.
As usual, your photos are outstanding. But, then, you have beautiful "models" to work with.
Thanks for sharing this and thanks to whomever's listening up there for the good news.
Jamie, my heart goes out to you and to the family of your friend. Tragic loss. Dreaded, hated disease. I worked as a hospice nurse years ago. I will never forget a 22 yr old woman that had recently delivered her first, and sadly her only baby. Enough said that I will never forget her.
Aaron, I so identify with the feelings you describe en route to the CT. I am still awaiting a diagnosis. As this drags on, more and more I reflect on the wonderful life I have been given. The countless blessings. I count your good news as one of them Aaron. You have become quite loved here by all of your friends.
Walk through your gardens always puts a smile on my face. But now I need to get busy with report cards...
Some little bits which may prove helpful:
~Cancers love acid bodies. Apple cider vinegar (natural is best) - 1 tsp/glass of water daily - 2 glasses, good - helps restore the healthy BASIC body chemistry.
~Carotenes are cancer preventives - eating pleanty of raw carrots, other yellow veggies and veggies with high carotene - is good. Remember that it takes a little animal fat (butter is fine) for the body to process the carotenes.
~Reishi and Maitake mushrooms contain certain sugars that assist our bodies' immune sytems intercellular communications. Occasional inclusion of these in the diet can be helpful.
~Sun-ripened fruits and vegetables contain many of these same cell sugars. Unfortunately what we buy in the grocery is green-picked/gas-ripened. If you want to increase your immune system's vitality, go for home-grown organic/sun-ripened veggies.
Of these helpful hints, take what you need and leave the rest!
Focusing on beauty and gratitude, and sharing it the way you have done, is a powerful self-healer/self-rebalancing activity. YAY, Aaron!
Thank you, Flit! I'm way behind (again) on my "Gathering," so forgive me if you have new stuff I've missed. I'll be over soon! ;o)
Thank you, Madame Donna C. I sure appreciate it!
Thanks, Phaedra, stop back again any time. I've posted tons of photo essays from the gardens, and hope to continue to document the season. ;o)
Anne B. Grote - the celebration was because I am not gonna die. At least because of lung cancer! A real good thing. Thanks about the iris - they're such great flowers, aren't they? ;o)
AD, thanks so much. Your kind words mean a lot to me. ;o)
Sonia, dear. I hope you are tending carefully to your injured leg! NO gardening for you, young lady, until you can safely stand, okay??? We all treasure your input here at Gather (and in life in general) and don't want any more accidents on your side. ;o) Thanks so much for your amazing support! Media mail is my method of choice for all book mailings - it takes a lot longer, but it's SO much cheaper!!! I'll keep an eye out for them, will autograph them nicely, and will send them back across the pond for you to shelve. ;o)
Amy, thanks so much! Isn't that blue iris amazing? I'm a sucker for blue, anyway, especially in flowers. ;o)
Laurie, you are SO right. We all need to take more time to notice the beauty that surrounds us. It's everywhere, and so available in abundance. Thanks!
Jamie, my heart goes out to you and the friend you lost, and to her baby and husband. What a brave woman, to suffer through cancer to save her child's life. An amazing gift... I'm so sorry you lost your friend, though. I have so many friends who have lost children, wives, etc. that it seems impossible to believe. I try so hard to be there for them, and just hold their hands and listen. Thank you for your sweet words. ((Hugs))
Thank you, Dorine! You are very kind. ;o) Come back and visit again!
Lisa, I'm so glad you stopped by. We have a bond, you know, being upstate New Yorkers, and sharing a love of life that makes us kindred spirits, like so many of our mutual Gather friends. I love white peonies the most of all - they are so pure. Can't wait to see your photos! I took a bunch more today, too. Hopefully by next weekend I'll get them up!
Aww, thank you, Carol! I took some pix of my sweet baby grandsons today. But don't tell them I called them babies! They are 3 and 4 and don't like that. They'd rather be called "Superman!" LOL!
Thank you, Ann! I've got to stop by and see what glorious shots you've taken lately!!
Kay, you are so right! Nature gives me these amazing models to shoot - all I do is press the shutter! It's a great delight and an amazing gift!
Dittos, John!!! And thanks for coming along for the dicey ride with me!
Hi, Wilma! Wow, what a gorgeous icon you have today! Love those red tulips!
Debbie, hon, you are a true blessing to all of us, and I know I speak for the entire community of friends here when I say we want resolution for you, we want you healthy again, we want answers for you!!! We all adore you and agonize when you tell us of your trials. Praying really hard that this resolves - fast! Hang in there and please keep us up to date on the happenings, okay? ((Hugs))
Tonia, you are such a great example of a positive, loving spirit. We have followed through your trials with your own health issues not so long ago, and now feel so deeply for you as the love of your life suffers. Yet you continue to bring us delightful photo essays that soothe the soul and stir the emotions. You are such a treasure, thank you for being you, and for stopping by! ((More hugs!))
Thank you so much, Marianne! You are right - I know when my time comes that Heaven will be an amazing place, I do look forward to that some day. It's hard not to worry, though, about the ones you leave behind, especially if they've been challenged with diseases that make them depend on you for their welfare. My plan is to take care of my wife until she's with God some day, and then I can let go. My grandfather did it for my grandmother, and I know I can do it, by sheer will! 'Least that's my plan, long as God agrees!! ;o) Thank you, Marianne.
Bob, so you went through this, too? It's weird, because the XRay they took a month ago didn't show it, unless there was so much else going on that it hid it. But the flareup might have even caused it if there was an infection in there. Have you quick smoking since then? I pray so, and if not, I pray you have the strength to consider it. We want you around for a long time!!
Kathryn, you know how it feels... not a fun ride, is it? Thanks for coming over for the tour!!!
Hi, Amy! Thanks so much. The flame peony is a real rare one, and I cherish it so much each year. Somewhere in my images (not the photo essays), is an image from a few years ago of this flower when it is open. It's just stunning!!
Carolion, it's funny that you should bring up these issues with nutrients, etc. I am a huge fan of fresh veggies and fruits - and we eat mostly fish and chicken. But lately I have been drawn even more to the freshest fruits and the ripest veggies. I'm going to start buying from the organic section in Wegmans, and then, of course, eat from my own garden. My peas are almost ready, so I've been sneaking little treats outside. And all the berries are starting to form. I can't wait! Lately I've just been craving juicy honeydew melons, grapes, blueberries, broccoli, carrots, fish, and salads. I've been bringing a salad to work for lunch every day, and in it I have a huge bunch of raspberry vinaigrette dressing, which probably has at least a tablespoon of vinegar in it! Yay! Thanks for the advice, I sure appreciate it and love hearing about anything that's good for antioxidants or just for general health! ;o)
Hey, Karen! Thank you so much. I'm glad you like the iris!
Marian, thanks!! So happy you enjoyed them. ;o)
Take care everyone, and stay tuned for more photos, they're in my camera now, calling my name!! LOL!
You know I'm celebrating right along with you! Ya-hoo!!!!!!!
Your pictures, as always, are stunning. The Sarah Bernhardt peonies are lovely; did I ever tell you my parents used to call me Sarah Bernhardt as a child? Apparently I was quite the actress at an early age. I take that as a compliment. :)
And the photographs? So delightful! Peonies are one of my favorite flowers......
Don't ever scare me like that again! Uh... that didn't come out the way I meant it. What I meant was... thank God. You have no idea how much that means. I don't thank God often. He and I aren't exactly on speaking terms. But now I am, because you're still here and I don't know what I'd do if you weren't...
And yeah. Flowers. Absolutely beautiful, as usual, O master gardener. :-) Thank you for posting these.
(((hugs)))
Oh, Katrina, I'm so sorry you were under the weather again - that darned LD. Was it from that again, or something new? I hope the antibiotics help you, I REALLY do!!! Thanks for your kind words. ;o)
SW, you rock. And I'll try not to scare ya again, I promise. I don't intend to vacate the premises any time soon, I have WAY too much to do!!!! (type A interruption there) Thank you, oh master writer. You inspire me in many ways, but mostly with your amazing skills and unfailing patience. Thanks for being there for me!
Hi, Tinch. I appreciate your kind words. Thanks so much!
Peonies remind me of my grandmother. Her peonies are gone--to make way for a "green" condo building that has plenty of parking but no garden--however I have peonies in my garden that someone planted a long time ago.
Your Great Aunt Mae reminds me of my wife's great great aunt, Emma. We have photos of the children she taught in Mississippi and have wonderful pieces of artwork she created in her seventies. I love learning about strong women like this, and love the icon photo. Delightful!
Oh, Sharon, it's so sad when gardens are replaced by buildings. Especially when they were your grandma's. But at least you can be reminded of her whenever you stop to smell those in your garden! Thank you for your kind words, I really appreciate it, and I intend to have a lovely Father's Day with my wife, daughters, and grandsons! ;o)
I am thankful for so much; but sometimes forget to show my love to those around me.
So I am no longer sweating the small stuff and thankful for each day God grants me and try to do what he would want me to.
Your essay is fantastic, with a message for everyone.
So glad you are going to be ok.
Blessings
Thank you so much, Wiaka. You are so sweet. ;o)
Blessings and best wishes for many years to come - Sveta
Congratulations on your editing position and I hope you enjoy it and don't wear yourself out--you have a lot on your plate.
If you click on my picture or userid, and then bookmark it in your Explore or Mozilla browser, you can just click on that periodically to check up on my articles and such. I do that with my favorite writers/photographers, because it's so hard to catch everything in "My Gather" when you have many connections. Good luck and thanks for wanting to read my stuff! ;o)
I don't know how you do it all. God has blessed you with the ability to do what you must, I suppose.
Love and Light to you.