The picnic last night was a success! Good food, good friends and eventually, good fireworks! I think this might have to be my annual summer event...to complement my annual New Year's Day extravaganza.

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As you probably know, I work for a national network of cancer centers. Our focus is mainly adult patients but a few years ago, my friend Tracey sent me a prayer request for her nephew, Anthony, who was battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Anthony’s mom, Dina, had set up a website for friends and family to follow Anthony’s journey through Caring Bridge. Caring Bridge is a great organization that allows people to setup webpages for friends or family members undergoing medical treatment. Each has space for updates, pictures and a guestbook for notes and words of encouragement from those reading.

As I prayed hard for Anthony and followed his story through the Caring Bridge site, I came to learn about so many other kids who were also fighting this terrible battle. Anthony has since passed away, but I still have a few kids that I follow. Two in particular that I wanted you to meet today are Kody and Katia. You can click on their names to view their pages. Please pray for Kody, Katia and their families. I can’t begin to imagine the difficulties they face every day.

Another note – some of you who see me regularly may have noticed me sporting some new jewelry recently. One is Katia’s Ladybug Club bracelet – these can be bid on on eBay and proceeds go to the Katia Solomon Fund to help families in need. The other is Kody’s Kicking Cancer’s Butt wristband that says, “Life’s Tough, But I’m Tougher”. You can obtain on of these through a donation to another organization designed to help families in need, Tumbleweed Foundation.

That’s all for today. I’ll introduce you to some more of the kids later. : )

And so I have finally seen Revenge of the Sith. It is tradition that my dad and I go to see each of the Star Wars movies together so we went on Saturday. I was a little apprehensive, as he thought the last two were terrible. (I thought they were ok but could have done without Anakin and Padame running through the fields together.) But we both liked this one. I will say it was dark, as all the critics have warned, and it is definitely PG-13 for a reason. But I always enjoy a battle between good and evil...plus, the effects are pretty cool. There are several disturbing bits that I won't go into so as not to spoil it for anyone but I thought for the most part, it was very well done. Now I want to go home and watch all the others again and analyze it all.

On another note, my parents are doing ok with the loss of Dena. They are talking about rescuing another female Saint so if anyone knows of any in need of a home, let me know. They don't really want a puppy but one or two years old might be nice. Sam & Rocky spend all day growling at each other in their ongoing efforts to usurp each other as Alpha male so a female might help with that some.

Another busy week ahead - last night was a picnic at my friend Kim's, tonight I have home group, tomorrow bible study, planning to garden Thursday and Friday I'm having a picnic. My town's got a country fair going on and the fireworks are Friday - and they are phenomenal. And the best part is you can see them from my house clear as day. : ) So I am praying for good weather! Saturday I am getting together with my dear friend Nancy. I can't wait for that - it will be so nice. We've known one another since kindergarten but lately our lives have been very hectic and we've battled to find time to get together and catch up. Can't wait!

Adios!

Dena

Sad news today - my parents had to put Dena to sleep this morning. She has been struggling for a long time with her health and today she gave up the fight. I looked online for the Rainbow Bridge poem and found this:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Dena will be dearly missed. She was one of the best dogs we ever had. My parent rescued her and Sam from the SPCA at the same time, not long after my mom and I rescued Rocky from PAWS. As soon as they brought her home, it was like they had had her forever. She was a big dog but she thought she was a little puppy. She liked to romp around in the yard...and romp is exactly the right word. She had the sweetest disposition you could ever find. The boys both loved her but I really think Rocky thought she was his mother.

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...what in the world has become of me...I am alive! My life has been a whirlwind for I don't even know how long and though my heart is in keeping in touch, busyness has kept me from it. So for that I apologize and hope you can forgive me.

Here's a quick update! Living in an awesome duplex in Harleysville that I just love with Ramona, Nellie and Norm. Still working at the same place I have been for the past six years (wow! I can't even believe that) though the commute is now quite a bit longer. Funny how when my office moves within walking distance of my place, I move 50 minutes north! On the same day! Coincidence???? Actually, the commute's usually not that bad except on days like yesterday when just as I go through the tollbooth to get on the turnpike, the traffic reporter on my radio station starts shouting, "Whatever you do, don't get on the turnpike today!" Lovely way to start the day.

I am part of a great church in Montgomeryville. I'm in charge of our children's ministry, Adventure Theater - that's my passion. I love working with the kids! We have about 30 ranging in age from four to 12 and it is just a blast each week. They are so much fun. I'm sure I will regale you with stories of their witicisms and utter cuteness at a later date! I'm also a youth group leader (still trying to come up with a good name for that one...and trying to convince the kids that "Your Mom" is not a good choice for a youth group name). This summer, we are heading to Ithaca, New York for a Group Workcamp. Workcamp is this cool thing where kids from all over the country travel to different areas to help work on homes of people who for whatever reason can't help themselves (finances, health, etc.) Should be an interesting adventure - it's me and a male leader, six teenage girls and three teenage boys. Like I said, an adventure! Anyway, I do a bunch of other things in the church as well but I'll get back to that another time. Hmmmm....I wonder why I never seem to have any time?!?!?!?

My folks are doing pretty well. My mom has had a bunch of surgeries this year (one major, the rest minor) with another coming up on Monday. She stopped working several months ago now because her job was taking a toll on her health. Now she is cleaning houses for people - which is what she has ALWAYS wanted to do anyway. It's definitely different but I think she is enjoying it and enjoying the time to actually get stuff done at home. They still have three humongous dogs - Rocky (Rottie/Sheepdog mix), Dina (St. Bernard) and Sam (Golden/Border collie mix). Sam's got diabetes now which is an interesting learning experience for all of us. He gets insulin once a day and is on a strict diet (no treats!) Dina is getting up in years (12 - which is very old for a Saint) and her health is failing. Losing her is going to be hard for them to take, especially my dad. She is one of the sweetest dogs I've ever met.

I feel like I have so much to share I can't even think of it all at the moment. Norm is flinging himself over the keyboard and getting fur up my nose which is hampering my typing ability, so for now...adieu.

This might seem like a strange way to keep in touch but I've found that time keeps getting away from me and I'm not able to keep in touch with my friends like I used to. I found out today that someone I used to work with had a blog and in checking it out, I thought it was a really cool idea...so tada! Here is my first post!