Lady Traveler's Journey with brother John Part 1

(LAST UPDATE on John at bottom of page)

There will always be the unknown.

There will always be the unpredictable.

But faith confronts those frontiers with a thrilling leap.

Then life becomes vibrant with each new adventure!

It all began with these two ... Mom & Dad's wedding at
Shaw Air Force base Sumter, SC  1944

So far the new year 2020 had been good to me.

Just to be alive is pure thrilling.

Even before my first cup of coffee.

But two weeks ago things changed when my sister-in-law Ger called
to tell me that my sweet brother John (72) was diagnosed with stomach cancer.
(several weeks earlier he thought it was just an irritating pain).

A week later, more news.
John calls me with all the test results:
 Stage4 cancer.  Stomach.  Liver.  Lymph nodes ...
6 to 9 months to live.
Now my stomach is hurting ... and my heart is aching.
I pull myself together, and reply, 

"that's the doctor's report.
We believe in miracles, so there!"

Mr. Doctor tells John if he feels up to it,

go ahead and take the 8-day Mexican Riviera cruise on January 25th
that he and Ger had planned months ago.
"And here, take these pain pills with you," he adds.
With a nod from Rob, I immediately ask John,
"Would you mind if we join you on the cruise?"
John started laughing and crying at the same time.
"Could you? That would be so great if you could!"

I hung up and Rob called their Carnival travel agent,
telling her our circumstances and how important it is that we are on that ship.
"Hold on ... let me see ... well, we just happen to have one cabin left."
"We'll take it!" we said in unison through the speaker phone.
She added, "This must be God that we have this cabin."
We replied, "It is definitely God working on our behalf!"

Brother John & Ger in their garden
 Zion Utah Summer 2016

Long story short:
Rob and I are sailing on an 8-day cruise with my brother John and his wife Geri,
his daughter Christy and husband Todd.

I know many of you have been through this when you receive what we call
Bad News.
You've felt the shock, the pain, the hurt, the fear ... every emotion there is.
And then Jesus ...
He reaches out and holds you tight and whispers,
Everything will be all right.

Let me take this opportunity to tell you about my sweet brother.
I'm probably writing to myself but that's okay.
I need to get this part of my journey down in writing.

My brother John is fifteen months younger than me.
We shared the same bedroom until I was in seventh grade.
We had an invisible line in the middle of the room that spoke,
"You keep your trucks and teddy bear on your side,
and I'll keep my dolls and panda bear on my side."
Then one Christmas Santa left him a Roy Rogers and Dale Evans ranch.
That's when I agreed to meet him in the middle so I could pretend to be Dale Evans
riding the range on Buttermilk!

I was elated when Daddy converted our garage into John's bedroom.
My very own bedroom! I never took my bedroom for granted.
I loved my privacy, and my pink walls!
There was only one problem ...
brother John had to walk through my room to get to his room. Yuk!
He still reminds me about the night I made him
walk through the back yard in the rain just because
I was talking on the phone to one of my many boyfriends.
I know, selfish sister.

Years passed, and we were married with kids when Mommy was diagnosed with
Multiple Sclerosis and needed full-time nursing care.
 John and I worked together to help Daddy cope with this situation
until she went to heaven at the young age of 66.
A few years later when Daddy was diagnosed with Parkinson's Decease
we pulled together again until he went to be with Jesus at the young age of 91.

Yes, we are a brother and sister who loved our parents,
and showed it by giving a little something back to them ...
our time and our love.

You and I have been told over and over that we know not what tomorrow holds.
So again I remind you and encourage you (and me)
to hold close to those you love, both near and far.
And no matter what the circumstances look like,

never lose your faith in miracles.

Bro and Sis at his home in Zion 2016


I am blessed to have a brother that laughs and has a sense of humor
(we inherited these traits from our funny parents).
John is loving and kind and loves Jesus, his family, and his friends.
He is a simple man, like our Daddy.
I have the best brother in the world and I'm honored to be his sassy sister!
I've learned through my 74 years
that a simple, loving, and kind man is the best kind.
And I also happen to be married to one!

I thank all of you for your friendship, both near and far.
And most of all, thank you for praying for John as the Holy Spirit leads you to do.


By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed by God's command,
that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.
Hebrews 11:8-10 NLT

UPDATE EARLY MARCH 2022:

Two years now, and the Keytruda therapy is no longer helping.

The cancer has spread.

John's doctor gave him two options:

Chemo or hospice.

At this writing he is choosing chemo.

He is weak, yet strong in spirit, never complaining,

only speaking the reality of his journey.

Rob and I are on standby but at this writing we'll be driving to

Utah the end of April to spend precious time with him.

UPDATE LATE MARCH 2022:

No time for chemo. Less than a week of at-home hospice.

Rob and I are on the road to Utah mid March

and arrive just in time to give hugs, kisses, and our

last "good-bye, see you in heaven."

Heaven-bound on March 25th, 2022

May 24, 2022

Today is John's first birthday in heaven

and I'm down here missing him like crazy.

I miss his nightly/daily phone calls that we shared over the last two years.

He spoke slowly, softly, and in the end couldn't speak so

our phone calls ended.

That's when Rob and I hit the road to Utah.

Tonight I'll light a candle on a cupcake and try to sing 

"Happy Birthday, sweet brother,

happy birthday to you ...." 

Lady Traveler, the Almost-famous Author, takes on Idols, and such.

"Lady Traveler takes on Idols, and such"

Backyard pond

Life is what we are alive to.
It is not length but breadth...
Be alive to goodness, kindness, purity, love, history, poetry, flowers, stars,
God, and eternal hope.


This afternoon as I was sitting on my sun deck, 

watching the clouds roll by and the trees dancing in the wind, 

I was at peace with the world before we head to Alabama and Florida next week.

But how can I be at peace after watching the morning news? 

The world seems to be falling apart around me.

God assured me that it wasn't.

However, there are millions of people falling apart.

And there are reasons.  Some logical.  Some not.

And that is my concern.  

A disclaimer:  this is not a political blog.

I'm a smart, but simple person.

Mistakes, I've made a few (thousand).  

Thankfully, I've had enough common sense to get me through these past 

seventy-one years.

That's it!

I'm pondering all of these thoughts because I'm not a young chick anymore.

Time is flying!

So these thoughts are coming to me from the right and from the left.

(no pun intended)

Don't worry, I'm not going to share them all.  Not today.

And I'm not going to preach to you.  Not today.

All of these award shows...SAG Awards...Grammy Awards (tonight)...Oscar Awards.

I believe in awards, I watch them, but puleeeez!

Then there's the Super Bowl.  And the super models.  

And the politicians.  Right and left.  Good and bad.

I bet you can name a few too.

Millions of people, some who don't even realize it, worship the above as their gods. 

We (I include myself because I adored Elvis...still do) place them high upon pedestals and 

choose to believe whatever they tell us.  

We don't need to think for ourselves.  Let the gods do it for us.

But why?

  

Okay, I don't want to get too carried away on this lovely day 

but it popped into my head as a little bird flew by, what might be the reason.

God created us to worship.

Worship is part of our DNA.  

Trouble is, we worship the wrong gods.

He created us to worship Him, the true and living God.  

Our carnal nature, our flesh, wants to worship man.  

Our spirit man* is created to worship God

(okay, I better include *woman or else I'll get lots of hate mail from my fellow sisterhood, 

and that's the last thing I need in my golden years)

Since God didn't create us to be robots, 

we have a choice of who we choose to worship.

Lady Ga-Ga, Meryl Streep, Tom Brady. Elvis.

The Almost-famous Author (sorry, I couldn't resist)

I don't know about you, but I choose to go to Jesus with my problems, 

and other personal matters.  

I stay close to Him, listen to Him, and worship Him

because there is way too much foolishness going on in the world 

that can cause me confusion and stress,

which I definitely do not need in my golden years!

Lady Traveler, the Almost-famous Author
on the road in her Golden Years.
stress-free, somewhere in Zion, Utah
California Trip 2017

I'll close with this simple scripture.

I pray that you will make the right decisions in your life that will

 bring you a good and joyful life.

See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil. 

In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, 

to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgements, 

that thou may live and multiply: 

and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goes to possess it.

Deuteronomy 30:15-16

I wish you oceans of wise decisions for the coming year!

www.sharonleaf.com

Lady Traveler's ideas on Reading, Writing, Traveling versus Relationships

Paris is always a good idea ~ Audrey Hepburn

Wake up, Sharon!

You're not in Paris anymore.

There's work to be done.

A book to finish...

Lady on the Run
"How to run your physical race and your spiritual race--at your own pace"
I was an avid runner in the 70's, taught a running class, and I'm writing a book about my journey.

Lady on the Run
Me and My 90-year-old mentor and friend, Mary in 2013
at her home in Morro Bay.
We ran a 1/2 marathon together in the late '70's

... A conference to prepare for.
And, oh yes, the book club next week.

Book signing at "Living Real Conference" March 2015
Book Club March 2015

Business cards, flyers, poster, pens, Square, etc.

Yes, the almost-famous author has a full schedule.
But when it comes down to it,
what is really important in life?
You have it right.
Relationships.
With God.
With family.
With friends.

My true friend, Debbie Kreitzer,
Laguna Beach, CA 2007

There is no 'distance barrier' with
God, family, or friends.
Although Debbie went to heaven almost two months ago,
I can still hear her whispering in my ear,
"It is what it is."
"Get over it."
Thanks, Debbie, I needed that.
Confession: 
When I can't hear her voice in my ear,
I listen to a Voicemail she left me when she was
still able to talk.
I cry from the pain of missing her in 'real time.'

Whatever your passion--
writing, traveling, painting, photography, singing,
gardening, cleaning house, reaching out to help someone--
remember to take time for those
special people in your life.

To know someone here or there with whom 
you feel there is an understanding
in spite of distance or thoughts expressed --
that can make of this earth a garden.

Wherever you travel,
I wish you oceans of moments with God,
with family,
and friends.


All sunshine and sovereign is God,
generous in gifts and glory.
Psalm 84:10

www.sharonleaf.com

Lady Traveler asks, What are you wRiting for? and Who are you wRiting for?

Stay focused

Whether you are a wRiter, fRiend, aRtist, or just like to stop by my blog, I must share a story that will make you think twice before beginning your next venture.

One winter night composer Johann Sebastian Bach was scheduled to debut a new composition.  He arrived at the church expecting it to be full.  He soon learned that no one had come.  Without missing a beat, he told the musicians that they would still perform as planned.  Bach raised his baton, and soon the empty church was filled with magnificent music.

Doesn't this story make you want to do some soul searching?  I closed my laptop and asked myself, would I write if God were my only audience?  Would my writing be any different?

Bach's story reminded me to stay focused on what God has called me to write, whether anyone shows up or not.  The stories will fall into the hands of those who need to be encouraged along their spiritual journey.  That is why I wrote and published Lady and the Sea, and that is why I am continuing my writing journey with Lady on the Run, a book to help women run their physical and spiritual race at their own pace.  Believe me, I'm writing from my own personal experience--I know the importance of not comparing our race with others.  From walking to jogging, from jogging to running, we can run our race successfully if it is at our own pace.

That my ways might show forth Your glory,

That You, dear Lord, greatly deserve!

With Your precious blood You've redeemed me--

In all my days, You I would serve!  ~  Somerville 

God's Word reminds us,

Do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them.  Matthew 6:1

I'm writing for you, Lord

To order Lady and the Sea  and/or  Lady on the Run  go to:

www.amazon.com/author/www.sharonleaf.com

www.sharonleaf.com

Wherever Lady travels, there are families

From the USA to across the pond, Families are a blessing

I love meeting families from all walks of life.  Familia.  Familj.  Familie.  I enjoy learning their different customs.  Russians.  Greeks.  Israelis.  Swedes.  No matter where my tired feet have ended up at the end of a long day, families have always restored my energy and well being.  But no matter what country, city, or state I hang my hat, I can always sense the harmony ... or disharmony in that home.

When God created man and woman, He said it was very good.  They were to be fruitful and multiply,  and so they did.

God created family, so we can see why Satan tries to split them apart--he wants to tear down what God created.  Satan's happy when he succeeds.  And we are the ones who suffer ... the husband, the wife, the kids, a nation.  And the damage can last for years.  Dysfunction loves to settle in.  Estrangement often arises and its hard when the family member was once close and you still love them dearly.

We have family members who are easy to love.  We also have those who are challenging for us to be in the same room at the annual Christmas gathering.

There are the one-sided relationships.  YOU want it; they don't, for whatever reason.  Over the years I've found myself frustrated about a family member who I just can't get close to, no matter how I've tried.  But I can't read minds.  What am I doing wrong? I asked myself over and over.  Finally, the Holy Spirit spoke to me, "Sharon, you can't expect something from someone that they don't have to give."  I thought about that one sentence long and hard, and it helps me a lot when I start to mull over the situation in my head for the hundredth time.  I admit that I'm a slow learner.

So what to do?

A few tips:  First of all, I'm not a psychiatrist, but I have enough common sense to know that it begins with me.  So my friends,  let us be the ones who pray and break the generational curses of dysfunction over our families.  We cannot force relationships, whether they are our spouses, our children, or our siblings, but we can let go of our own years of family baggage and continue to love them and pray for peace and reconciliation.  God will show us the way, step by step.  It is our choice to follow Him, trust Him, and love Him.  When to say I'm sorry?  Perhaps never, but you will know in your heart when and if it is time to say those two words that causes your heart to flutter, yet brings so much freedom afterwards.

One thing I know:  right now, I am thanking God for my blogging family!

I wish your family smooth sailing and oceans of blessings!

www.sharonleaf.com

When all else fails, get a dog!!

Rose, Reality, and Roads less traveled

Rose is the main character in Lady and the Sea

Life is what we are alive to.  It is not length but breadth ... be alive to ... goodness, kindness, purity, love, history, poetry, music, flowers, stars, the written word, God, and eternal hope.

I learned a lot about myself while writing about Lady and the Sea's main character, Rose (Rosie) Atkisson.  Go ahead, write a short story, choose a main character, and write away.  You'll soon discover many emotions, fears, dreams, and hopes that you have hidden deep inside of you.  I imagine the more you write, the harder it will be to put down your pen, or push yourself away from your laptop.  You'll be anxious to return the next day to find out where your character is going to take you.  Next door?  Down the street?  To the local cafe?  To another country?

With so much going on around us, here at home and around the world, life is not as dependable as it was in days of old.  I find myself longing for having just a day in the little two-bedroom house on Ibbetson Street with my mother, father, and brother ... had to share bedrooms, wait in line for the bathroom, stand over a floor heater in the mornings before heading out to school.  Okay, enough.  I admit that I have been a bit nostalgic lately.

I must keep this short, as I am finishing an essay that will be published on my author friend's Expat Chat blog.  Title?  "I Sailed the Seven Seas on a WWII ship and Lived to Tell About It"  Very true.  Read my novel, Lady and the Sea (based on my true story).

No matter where you are, what you are doing, take a moment to be thankful for the little things.  Call a family member who you haven't talked to in awhile (email and Facebook doesn't count!).  Hug a tree.  Kidding.  Hug a neighbor.

I wish you smooth sailing and oceans of blessings for the week ahead.

May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.  2 Thessalonians 2:16-27NIV

Birthdays, BeLeaf, and Patience

Happy days in California (Shawn, Bosco, and me)

Today is my son's 39th birthday.  Shawn is my miracle child.  Thirty-nine years ago, after extensive tests, our family doctor said it was not likely that I would conceive again.  His words brought me temporary sadness, but they didn't shake my belief that all things are possible with God.  I wanted a baby now, but the Lord had a different plan.  Unlike us, He doesn't stress over the timing of things.  My trust was in Him, so I waited, and waited, and waited.

I already had a darling daughter from my first marriage, a child that was conceived out of wedlock when I was nineteen.  Yes, I admit that thoughts of abortion entered my mind, but deep inside I could not do something that was against my moral principles.  So I made a choice that would change my life forever.  I would not do away with my unborn child, and nine months later, Jacqueline Shane was born, one of the biggest blessings of my life.  But I wanted a brother or sister for her to  grow up with.  I was twenty-seven and time was running out.  I laugh now, but back then my clock was ticking loud and clear.

So I would exercise faith, and patience, for my miracle baby to arrive.  But things don't always happen in a day.  If you have ever wanted something now--a job, a mate, a book published--but had to wait, and wait, then you know what I'm talking about.  Many have lost the joy and reality of God's abundant life due to frenzy and lack of patience.  We try to force our own plans on God, who becomes more of a delivery boy for our flesh than the Almighty One.  Many times we have missed God's best because of our impatience.  Selfishly running about, comparing ourselves with others, we bustle into something that never was God's plan.

Therefore, patience is a great strength.  It is the ability to remain focused and to rest assured that even though weeks, months, and years pass, the earth will eventually yield its harvest.  Life involves constant growth.  Life is sowing and reaping.  If we do not grow weary, we will reap in due time.

A few years later I finally said, "Okay, Lord, if you want me to have another baby, I'll be elated.  If not, then I'll accept your will and be content."  Two years later, I delivered a healthy baby boy, Shawn Christopher.

Today, thirty-nine years later, I'm still exercising patience--presently it's regarding my novel, Lady and the Sea.  It is so easy to get swept away into hours of marketing research, wondering if perhaps I should be doing more -- book signings, speaking engagements, blog interviews, and such.  But I admit as time goes by that it's becoming easier to lean on God's timing and to see what He has for me, not what I can conjure up.

So today I wish a very Happy Birthday to my miracle son.  I pray that he is learning, like his mother, to have patience for those dreams that God has placed in his heart.  And I pray this for you too, my dear bloggy readers.

I wish you smooth sailing, sunny days, and oceans of blessings!