Bring On Lemons

During 2017's National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, She Writes Press published Antoinette Truglio Martin’s touching memoir, Hug Everyone You Know: A Year of Community, Courage, and Cancer . It is a 2017 USA Best Book Awards Finalist in Non-Fiction: Narrative and a 2018 Next Generation Indie Book Finalist: Non-Fiction Women's Issues. In 2007, Antoinette believed her call back doctor appointment was routine, maybe a scare, nothing worse. Her shock at receiving a Stage I breast cancer diagnosis was instantly compounded by her own deep fears. As a self-described wimp—afraid of needles and uncomfortable with sedation—how was she going to get through this?  Antoinette started her fight against cancer with words. She began by journaling and by writing emails to Her Everyone—the large close-knit family and circle of beloved friends wanting to offer their support, especially those who were fighting breast cancer alongside her. The emails not only helped to keep Her Everyone infor...

This is a crazy dream that I had a few nights ago. As Mark and I discussed it, we came up with no rational answers about where it came from or what it symbolizes, other than my greatest fear as a parent is that I will be taken from my children too soon. I don't fear death and I look forward to heaven, but I pray that my children will be grown when God calls me home. In the meantime, this story reads like something from the Twilight Zone - hopefully you'll enjoy it! May your paths be abundantly filled with lemons, sugar, sunshine, and dreams filled with happiness and fresh flowers! ~Crystal Denial A short fictional piece by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto He reached the voicemail the first time he called: "this is Otto, leave a message" said the voice on the recording. He couldn't bring himself to do it so he hung up. He just knew something was going wrong at the Otto household and he didn't want to overstep his boundaries as Mrs. Otto's Gynecologist. He ...

Yikes - I read this journal prompt a few times before putting my pen to paper (for those who are curious, I journal with a pen and paper first and then refine the information a bit before blogging. there's something amazing about watching the pen on the paper, the rhythm of the strokes, etc....it's like a dance). Today's journal challenge is a fill in the blank: 1-I am afraid that ___________ 2-Because (the worst possible thing that will happen)______________ 3-It is _______ percent likely that this will happen 4-If this happened, here's what action I would take _________ 5-I feel ______ percent equipped to handle this if it came to pass And here's the story that came from this exercise: Ten years ago, my biggest fear was the man in my life leaving me. I was afraid I would have to get comfortable in my own skin, because I might find out that I'm not the person my parents raised me to be. It was 100% likely that the man would leave, because that's j...

Did you know that the American Cancer Society saves lives and creates more birthdays by helping you stay well, helping you get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back? Learn more at:  http://www.cancer.org/  or call 1-800-227-2345. This year on July 27th, I (and my children) will be participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. The relay for life is a life-changing even that brings together more than 3.5 million people every year to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and empower individuals and communities to fight back against a disease that takes too much from too many. If you would like to join me, or donate to me and my team, please see below, or click here:  http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?px=28672165&pg=personal&fr_id=39357 I just registered online for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. When I registered online, I was issued my own personal fundraising web page It...