  Spiritual
This week: Time Marches On Edited by: Shannon  
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Welcome to the Spiritual Newsletter. I am Shannon and I'm your editor this week. |
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“Autumn, the year's last, loveliest smile.” ~ William Cullen Bryant
The leaves are changing color, the days are getting cooler, and fall is in the air.
Autumn is one of my favorite times of year. Not only is it beautiful, but the cooler temperatures are most welcome after eight weeks of 100-110° weather. I've always enjoyed seeing children standing on the street corner waiting for their buses on the first day of school because it reminds me that regardless of what's happened to me, my family, my friends, my town, and my world, time marches on. We're reminded of life's continuous cycle of decay and growth, death and new life. We are reminded of our own mortality, and no season captures this better than autumn.
On Wednesday August 28 I drove the 500 miles from Boise to Seattle to visit my friend Sarah and her only child, Jordan, who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. It all started approximately 18 months ago when Jordan noticed some blood in his urine. Sarah, an ICU nurse, thought it was a kidney stone and took him to a doctor. Turns out he had a tumor on his kidney, so they scheduled him for surgery. After removing the kidney they scanned him again and saw the cancer had metastasized to his diaphragm and lungs. He underwent several rounds of chemotherapy, but the cancer kept spreading while the existing tumors grew larger. His most recent setback is an abdominal tumor that is so large and invasive he's unable to eat more than 200 calories per day without getting nauseous. "He looks like he's four months pregnant," Sarah said. "And he's lost so much weight." Jordan has always been athletic and slender (he rides his bicycle all over the city) so I knew he didn't have much weight to lose, and 200 calories isn't enough to keep an infant alive. They decided to try radiation treatments, ten of them, and it was during one of these sessions that Jordan asked the oncology nurse if he was going to die. "Yes," she said. "These treatments are to make you more comfortable. You won't be beating this cancer."
He is still the beautiful 27-year-old young man I've always loved, but the sparkle in his eyes is gone. He's gaunt, gray, and withdrawn. He's dying, and the sight of him broke my heart.
Benjamin Franklin said, "In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes,” but the knowledge doesn't make it any easier to bear. Life is the epitome of change, and whether you like it or not time marches on, with or without you.
As the seasons change around you, consider what you'd like to change about yourself. Are you holding on to things that no longer serve you, like anger or jealousy? Are you spiteful? Ungrateful? Petty? Shallow? Judgmental? Are your loved ones a priority? Have you told them how much they mean to you?
None of us knows how much time we have left on this earth, and each of us must decide how we want to spend it. The choice is up to you.
Thank you for reading.
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I hope you enjoy this week's featured selections. Please do the authors the courtesy of reviewing the ones you read. Thank you, and have a great week!
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The following is in response to "Spiritual Newsletter (August 7, 2013)" :
Zeke  says, "I greatly respect your Cherokee philosophy. It is very similar to my own. Our Creator created everything and it all should be loved." Thank you, Zeke! I appreciate you, and I couldn't agree more. 
Ẃeβ࿚ẂỉԎḈĥmas says, "Great Newsletter, Shannon! I couldn't agree more. I respect Native American culture, spirit and heart. May the Great Spirit bless and keep you safe!  " Aw, thank you, WW. Peace and blessings to you and yours. 
ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy  says, "Thank you for reminding us of the Cherokee spirituality. We can all learn from one another, and from other cultures; Christianity isn't the only way to the heart of God. Glad you reminded us." Thank YOU, Ann! I'm glad you liked it.  
A*Monaing*Faith says, "Thanks for introducing me to a new praise song to add to my playlist! Ton of good one liners in that. I've found it helps me to 'feel' God in everything around me. The hardest part of staying connected to Him for me is the fact that He's not tangible, but if I want to hold His hand I just imagine Him in my armrest, or my pillow, or the steering wheel. Fairly abstract thinking, but it gets me through.  " Absolutely! Although I can't touch or see the Creator, I CAN touch and see God's presence in everyone and everything around me. Thank you for reading and commenting! 
bonzo1964 says, "I always enjoy so much the Spiritual Newsletters, and especially yours. We have something in common. I too am part Cherokee. I believe the whole of the Universe was made for mankind so that he would never tire of searching for answers. For didn't Jesus say, 'Search and you will find me, if you search with all your heart!'. He found me at the age of 12 and I am now 66. The older I get the more excited I get, as well as a bit more tired. I know where my future home will be. I am sad for those I will leave behind, but it won't be for forever. Thank you for posting. It was beautiful and I appreciate it." Oh, thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the newsletter. 
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Spiritual: September 04, 2013 Issue [#5862]
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