Journal of a Living Lady #131
Nancy White Kelly
Serendipity.
That is a big word, a nice word, and certainly an appropriate word for me to
use today. You wouldn’t think someone with notorious cancer could garner such
affection from perfect strangers, but I feel like a magic dust mop. Almost
weekly someone surprises me with the nicest gifts and gestures, the majority of
which are anonymous. I have no way to thank these individuals except by way of
this column so I will attempt to express my gratitude. Most certainly I will
forget someone or something so please accept my feebleness of memory. If I had
known such a roll was coming on, I would have at least kept a serendipity
journal. I can’t go too far back as the space of this column would not allow
such a lengthy discourse. However, in the last couple of months I have received
many unexpected surprises including roses, candy and cards. I smelled the
flowers, read every word on the cards, and ate the candy.
A
man who handcrafts jewelry recently gave me a beautiful custom-made necklace
with an owl adorned with reading glasses. The necklace is minutely engraved on
the back, “Keep writing.” Serendipity. Unexpected treasure.
A
few days ago I received a call from a lady at Fieldstone. She told me that a
very nice gentleman came in and paid for two tickets for a boat cruise on Lake
Chatuge. I was flabbergasted as I had
just reminded Buddy that I hadn’t gotten to see the ocean or ride in a boat all
summer. H2O is one of my greatest pleasures. Lake or ocean. It doesn’t
matter. Any watery terrain, even a pond,
is beautiful to me. To feel the splash of water drops is pure
joy. I assume the second ticket is for Buddy. If not, there may be trouble in
paradise.
This
column is by necessity written days ahead for newspaper deadlines. As you read
this, baring no escalation of terrorist events, I should be in the air
somewhere north of Detroit on the way to Toronto in Canada. In the last couple
of years, I have developed many friendships with others around the world who are
also dancing daily with cancer. The computer is our connection. These on-line
clubs, technically called “lists” offer camaraderie and support. One group of
breast cancer warriors meets annually for a
face-to-face meeting. Though a few attending are newly diagnosed, there
are many others who struggle to come as a dying wish to personally interact
with this unique circle of friends.
With
oxygen tanks in tow, a galley of pills, wigs and other necessary paraphernalia,
these mostly over-the hill, former 10-year-olds gather for non-stop talking,
silliness, and then a serious memorial service to those who didn’t make the
cut.
A
few weeks ago someone paid my expenses to go to the Circle of Friends gathering
in Toronto for three days. I wanted to go, but had not planned to attend. Since my energy wanes unexpectedly, I don’t
plan major trips. Besides it was way
too expensive for our medically-stretched budget. Not even Buddy knew of my
desire to attend the gathering. Then serendipity. Unexpected pleasure.
At
my first book signing last month, a lady whom I had never met, gave me a large
gift which I did not open until the following day. To my surprise was a
beautifully framed plaque renaming a star for me in the Hydra constellation.
According to the International Star Registry of Switzerland, the star, formerly
known as Hydra 47, would now and forever be known as the Nancy White Kelly
star. Serendipity. It can’t get much better than that. Just hope God doesn’t
mind.
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