I have a friend working towards her certification in massage therapy. Her area of focus is Ayurveda principles, specifically the Indian practice of Marma Therapy. Its a gentle touch massage, working various Marma points around the body and helps in releasing energy or stimulating energy to aid in healing.
I laid on her table Wednesday as usual, and she burst out laughing the instant she touched me. The energy was still buzzing, vibrating, from the night before. I didn't have to tell her about the night before at Cookies for A Cause- she could feel all of the amazing love and energy I had been filled with!
Cookies for a Cause is the brainchild of two friends, who have been doing holiday cookie exchanges over the years. Instead of coming together just to exchange the cookies, they also choose a "cause" and everyone is asked to contribute a donation. And this year? I was their cause... I know, seriously.
Julie, the friend we all know and host of the event came down with a stomach bug the day of the event. But her friend Stephenie, stepped in, stepped up, without missing a beat and filled in beautifully. Oh and did I mention, she didn't know but a couple of us?
Its hard to find the right way to express how blessed I feel. How fortunate. Lucky- downright lucky. I'm getting bolder in saying that, and yes, I still have cancer- its just that, cancer doesn't have me.
Dear amazing women, you surrounded me with your kindness, your friendship, your support and your encouragement. I walked away with a backseat filled with cookies, (Julie, I offered to bring some to your house, and the girls said "no, she didn't bake!" spoken like the "true" friends they are.) and donations that will continue to enable me to have life-giving treatment. But most importantly, you blessed me with love. The kind of love that vibrates through your body and thrums in your chest and makes your Marma Therapist giggle when she feels it.
Plus... there is more... that is happening ... but that will all be revealed at another time...
holly and i were talking about your journey yesterday, and i commented that you are receiving in this season what many have been trying to figure out a way to give you for all these years you've been friends. having not known you long, i can tell that you are one who pours love into others, and what you are experiencing is the avalanche of love in return. glad to know your pantry is full of sweets! what's your favorite Christmas cookie? i'd like to see a recipe post! btw, are you having chemo on the 20th?
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful thing.. love these photos.. and Vicky, you look maaavelous, dahling. Truly.
ReplyDeletevicky - you have no idea how your journey is inspiring me! Maybe one day soon I will email you! I don't have a blog or i would write about there :)
ReplyDeletebless your sweet grateful loved heart for you have blessed mine!
xoTiffany
You are truly blessed, Vicky! You look beautiful too!
ReplyDeleteHugs and love, my friend!
Eileen
I love your Pooh header. Perfect!
ReplyDeleteYou have the sweetest friends, Vicky....and that is how it should be. Sweets for the Sweet. They are reciprocating the love that you've always shown to those you know and to you don't know. Bless them...and you.
You look radiant. Keep shinin' my dear friend.
Love,
Jackie
*shown to those you know and to those you don't know.*
ReplyDeleteVicki that is so cool! I saw something about it on facebook, but I had conferences that night. :(
ReplyDeleteYou have an awesome support system, and I hope you know that many of us are rooting, even if we can't make it to everything.
You look beautiful btw!
The love your massage therapist feels is coming form everywhere around you. Your kindness attracts kindness from others and so you are loved.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your joy and your friends with us Vicky :-)
How wonderful. Those cookies look so good. What a great idea.
ReplyDelete@Tiffany: please feel free any time Tiffany to email: vwestra14@gmail.com! You are welcome in my inbox anytime!
ReplyDeleteVicky, I got goose bumps when I read this post.... This is fantastic! How I wish we were closer (Geographicly) so I could spend some time with you. You truely amaze me I feel blessed being your friend!!!!
ReplyDeleteLove you. Hugs:)
Thanks Vicky - i will write soon!!
ReplyDeletehave a joyful weekend!!
xoTiffany
you are sooo lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful caring and talented people.
ReplyDeleteYou are blessed in more ways than some healthy people are and this will keep you going till you completely recover.
What great cookies!!!
Such beautiful cookies and wonderful friends. You truly are very blessed Vicky.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words and support today.
Vicky, I LOVE your new blog look! It's got such a warm, holiday feel. And boy was I luck to be among those beautiful women the other night. It was such a peaceful and fun evening. I was happy to be among you. Thanks for having me along as your guest!
ReplyDeleteI may have an inkling as to what one of the "things to come" is. :) But I will be patient with everyone else to hear for sure. :)
Thinking of you, wishing you a sweet weekend!
I had baked cookies and was SO excited to go (you have no idea) but of all days I get a fever!!! I'm glad it was so fun for you. God bless! I hope I see you sometime soon~ Oh, and, cookies are gone now....darn kids.
ReplyDeleteHmmm ... needing one of those cookies!
ReplyDeleteI love the thought that you have cancer but that cancer does not have you. What a wonderful evening to experience! And the massage sounds amazing.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, LOVE your new Christmas look on here.
You look gorgeous! What a wonderful group of eomen. Yummy cookies!!
ReplyDeleteYou look gorgeous! What a wonderful group of eomen. Yummy cookies!!
ReplyDelete