Lady Traveler's Journey with brother John Part 2

(UPDATE on brother John at the end of this blog)

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of striving safely 

in one pretty and well preserved piece,

but to skid across the line broadside,

thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil, shouting

GERONIMO!!"

Up and Away ... Brother John and me on our Mexico cruise
(Cabo San Lucas)

The above quote describes me on most days,

(especially the 'thoroughly used up' part)

because then I know that I've accomplished something,

no matter how small.😓

I felt like this on my "Making Memories" cruise last week

with my brother John, Ger, Christie, Todd, and my Robinski.

Since returning from our California/Mexico trip last week

I haven't done much in the way of communicating to anyone.

Just me and my thoughts,

and Robinski and Popcorn, which is adequate for the moment.

Today is the first day that I've felt like sitting myself down in front of my iMac
in Lady Leaf's Lounge.

I don't know how long I'll sit here so I'll type

the first thoughts that come to mind.

As I wrote in my previous blog,
the purpose of our Mexico Riviera cruise was to 

spend time with my baby brother John.

He was and is my priority,

so whatever he felt like doing, I did.

I followed him around like a puppy.

Watching every move.

Listening to every word.

Holding back tears.

Wondering if these might be the last words I would hear him speak.
(I'm just being honest)

THEN, I told myself, "SNAP out of it, you little baby!

Where's your faith, hope, and love?"

Or maybe it was Jesus speaking to me, not sure.

The first day on board after breakfast, we were walking on the top deck exploring,
when suddenly he stopped and unashamedly said,

"I'm going to my cabin to take a pill and rest."

Me and brother John having dinner on our first night at sea.

I did a lot of talking to myself on the cruise (silently of course),

and even more, talking to Jesus,

especially at night when I returned to our stateroom at the back (aft) of the huge ship.

I'd wrap myself in the long white robe that the large Havana staterooms furnished,
(remember, this was the LAST cabin available when we called!)

and go out on our spacious veranda to 'sit and sip'

while watching and listening to the sounds of the Pacific Ocean kicking up waves below,

and sometimes counting the stars in the sky.

These were some of my favorite moments on our cruise ...

Each night sitting, listening, watching.

These moments took me back to my fourteen months when we sailed
the seven seas and three oceans on the WWII ship Restoration back in 1994,

only this time on a ship that had stabilizers and air conditioning.

The view from our balcony on the Carnival Panorama Mexico Riviera cruise.
the deck below is private for "Havana staterooms" ... two jacuzzis and a serenity pool. 

Morning coffee and evening wine on our spacious Havana balcony 

Each day I silently listened as John shared his heart with me.

Pure straightforward honesty.

I wasn't going to bring up half the stuff he talked about,

but he is so brave, and honest, and funny.

He made talking about stage 4 cancer seem easy,

until he began to speak about leaving his beloved family behind.

Yes, we shed tears together,

but knowing where his strength and his hope comes from,

gives us both courage to face each day that God gives.

Taxi boat to shore in Cabo San Lucas (our ship in the background. Big, huh?)
Christy, John, Ger, and lil ol me!

We shared a week of fun and laughter,
combined with somber, yet peaceful moments.

A glass of wine with John, a margarita with Christy in Cabo and Mazatlan,

and gallons of coffee on board with everyone.

My humble, kind, loving, and funny brother.
Last day in my cabin preparing for departure.
How I hate to leave my baby brother.
A prayer and a kiss,
Until we meet again ....

There was more but I'll ponder those memories in my heart for now.

Upon John's return home to Zion, Utah, his doctor 'installed' a port.
He will not go the chemo route.

Instead, John is now waiting to be approved for
"Keytruda immunotherapy."

I will keep you posted.

John and our family appreciate your concern and prayers,
more than you'll ever know.

(Update below)

I am blessed to have a humble, kind, loving and funny man of my own!
I love you Robinski, especially in Cabo!

I wish you oceans of daily blessings!

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run,

but only one gets the prize?

Run* in such a way as to get the prize.

I Corinthians 9:24

*For whatever reasons, many of us can only walk. 

That's okay, as long as we're moving toward the prize that is set before us ...

Eternal Life with our Lord Jesus Christ.

UPDATE 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.

Thank you for your continued prayers.

A miracle is appreciated.

Sweet precious brother John went to heaven

March 25 2022

Lady is traveling the USA--North to Indiana and Other Delightful Destinations, Part 1

I'll stride freely through wide open spaces as I look for 
Your truth and Your wisdom.
Psalm 119:45 the Message

One of many cities we traveled through on our recent road trip

I started out trying to blog once a week.

Didn't work.
How about every other week?
Nope.
So I'm shooting for once a month.
I'm trying.
Okay, now that's over ...
lets hit the road!

We left June 4th.  Our destination:  a Fleetwood RV rally in Decatur, Indiana.

We are considered RVNewbies since we just bought our
40' American Tradition in January ... almost on a whim.
We blame it God for dropping this 2004 beauty in our laps.

After three jaunts to a few local favorite places in our home state of South Carolina
--Myrtle Beach, Hunting Island, Dreyer Island--
we decided to take it a step further.
After all, we're considered 'glampers' now, so here we go ...

After hours of traveling through the beautiful Appalachian Mountains,
we spent the first night at a Super Walmart just north of Knoxville, Tennessee,
the town where my Daddy was born.
(We have decided to drive no more than five hours a day,
stopping at rest strops for lunch, walks, and short naps.
Lovely, and fun!)

We loved driving through green Kentucky where
horses--and bourbon--abound.
Again, we stayed at another fun-friendly Super Walmart
where we shop for food and necessities.
Note: If you want an entertaining evening of 'people-watching',
then you must plan to stop at a Super Walmart.
Another Note: Always call Walmart before you arrive to make sure they allow RV overnighters
because each state varies.

The next day we crossed the state line to Ohio
where we spent the afternoon and night
at a nice KOA in Wapakoneta, Ohio.
(you might have to get your map out for this one)
The pool was just what my bionic knee needed.
Nine weeks after my knee replacement surgery,
I'm still in pain and swollen and I'm still learning to pace myself.
I use my magic walking cane, when needed,
and lots of prayer, always.

My first swim since my April knee replacement surgery...feels so good!

The next morning we were ready to hit the road to our destination,
The Fleetwood Rally in Decatur, Indiana,
but first we had to cross the Ohio/Indiana state line.
It's always fun to cross state lines.
I took lots of videos, which I shall post when I figure out how to do it.

The Fleetwood Rally... 200+ of these big beautiful babies!

Berne, Indiana is a lovely Amish town near Decatur
that was founded in 1820 by a large group from Switzerland.

Berne, IN reminds us of Solvang, CA

The 'rowdy rally ladies' loaded into two buses for Fort Wayne IN for
afternoon tea at a beautiful downtown museum and gardens.

Away we go to Fort Wayne!

Butterflies galore among the gardens

That evening there was wine tasting on Main Street,
all from the local farmers.
(they have to have something to do in their off-season)
Afternoon tea and evening wine...ya can't beat that.
YUM!

Decatur is a lovely artsy town.
Main Street is scattered with various art work
from the locals. 

Y'all know how I love to travel.

We have met some brave and adventurous people

who are full-time RVers.

I admit that I'm often tempted to throw all cares to the wind,

sell everything, and take off to places unknown.

But so far I have come back to my senses and I smile big

as we slowly pull into our posh neighborhood.
On a golf course, I might add. But we don't golf.
And we don't live in one of those posh houses.
We fell in love with one of those cozy brick patio homes that overlooks a pond
filled with fish,
and deer grazing just before dawn.

I sigh as we continue to drive down to the end of our street

(which happens to be a convenient culdesac for us to load and unload our 40-foot coach)

and pull into our somewhat snug driveway.

Ahh, home sweet home.
So that's why we are not 'full-timers' ... yet.

My new friend!

Yes, we travel to beautiful places across the USA
but my favorite part is meeting all of the
beautiful people along the way.
I love listening to their stories,
then sharing mine for anyone who will listen.
When I corner them long enough,
(one of my famous marketing skills)
they want to buy my book
LADY and the SEA*.

Next time in Part 2, we'll travel north to Lake Michigan,
south to Wheeling, West Virginia,
Winston-Salem, NC and more,
so stay tuned.
Until then,

I wish you oceans of safe travels!


God invites you to vacation in His splendor.
He invites you to feel the touch of His hand.
He invites you to feast at His table.
He wants to spend time with you.

*To order LADY and the SEA and LADY on the RUN  go to:  www.amazon.com/author/www.sharonleaf.com

www.sharonleaf.com