Still Writing, But...

Yes, The Total Writer is still writing. I am still writing a lot, just not much on this blog. Writing through adversity is necessary and vitally important to how I cope with adversity. Going through trials is not easy. Cancer is hard and seeing a loved one struggle through it is not a picnic. I have written many notes and journal pieces on this journey of ours, but sometimes it's hard to put it into organized writing.

There are so many twists and turns, blessings and road blocks, down times and up times and times when we, ourselves, don't have the right words to express what we are going through, let alone have the energy to say it out loud or write it down.

There are times when there's nothing to do but wait. We wait on lab results, wait for the chemo drugs to infuse, wait for the doctor to call back about this or that, and wait for traffic, appointments, answers, pharmacies, phone calls, nurses, emails, etc. The list of things we now wait for is endless. I believe there is strength in the wait.

Through all the hardship of this disease and all its trappings, there are blessings, though. We find ourselves amazingly grateful for the smallest things. Then we are reminded that it's these small things that make up life.

Like when a couple of guys let me cut into a really long line at the hospital cafeteria.
And when the massage therapist who serves cancer patients offers me a free massage, too.
When a friend just listens and doesn't use our story as an opportunity to tell their own.
When a doctor goes out of her way to secure necessary drugs through a grant we didn't know existed.
When a friend emails or calls just to check up on me.
When financial needs are met through completely unexpected sources.
When people we've never met send us messages that they're praying for us because they heard about us through a mutual friend.
When something goes terribly wrong and we are suddenly covered with a peace that truly passes all understanding and certainly goes beyond explanation.

I could go on. We have so much to be thankful for.

Write often.
Write well.
Just write.
Carrying on,
~Tricia

Comments

Top Ten Most Common Edits - 2

My #2 most common edit is "toward." The vast majority of my clients use "towards" instead of "toward," as in, "Walking towards the entrance..." I correct this every time because in the US, where we use what is commonly called American English, the preferred choice is "toward," as in single. "Towards" is more commonly used in UK English and Australian English, as noted on Grammarly . In the USA, it's best to say, "Walking toward the entrance...." So, while "towards" is acceptable in other countries, for the US and Canada, "toward" is a much better choice. Keep moving toward good grammar! Write well. Write often. Just write. ~Tricia

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