MY FRIEND MARJORIE

I have had a TERRIBLE - AWFUL - ICKY week!  We will get back to that later.   First I would like to tell you about my friend MARJORIE.  I will not tell her last name.  I hope she won't mind me talking about her.  Let it be known - she would NEVER talk about herself.  She is someone I feel I need to tell you about!

I have known Marjorie since 1984 when she married her husband Don and moved into our neighborhood - into our WARD.  For those of you who do not know what a WARD is - let me explain.  It is a local congregation of our Church.  It encompasses several blocks in a geographical area.  The BISHOP is a lay clergyman - who is NOT paid - his position is much like a PASTOR in other churches.  Marjorie was a newlywed - gosh I was an OLD married lady - married already for 9 years!  Marjorie and I became friends and have remained friends since that time - even though I am TWO WHOLE YEARS OLDER!!  I was present for the birth of the first of two sons Marjorie and Don raised.  We have lived in our same homes but the WARD boundaries have changed a couple of times - meaning - there have been times we have not been in the same WARD.  Four years ago when the geographical boundaries were changed once AGAIN - Marjorie and I landed up in the same WARD.  I was called at that time as Primary President.  That is an organization where as a Presidency - we have STEWARDSHIP over the children ages 18 months to 12 years.  I knew immediately that Marjorie was to be one of my counselors. 

Marjorie was diagnosed with COLON CANCER in December of 2003.  At the time we were called into the Primary Presidency Marjorie had had cancer for four years.  At that time she was basically in remission and served with ZEAL in her calling.  The children of the WARD LOVED and continue to LOVE Marjorie.  EVERYONE loves Marjorie. 

For years and years each time anyone in the area had a baby - Marjorie would show up with a homemade quilt for the new mother!  Each birthday Marjorie would knit a hot pad for EVERYONE and she would lovingly deliver that to the door of the birthday girl!  I have a collection of Marjorie's hot pads which I use to hold my hot dishes.  Marjorie is known for her amazing HOT ROLLS!  Oh my goodness - if you have had the pleasure of eating one of those tasty morsels - you know what I am talking about!  For many years Marjorie and Don would walk around the neighborhoods bringing green popcorn treat wreaths as Christmas Treats!  Marjorie has created amazing MEMORIES for many many people.  She has served all and everyone who live within the WARD boundaries and many who do not.  I consider Marjorie an ANGEL ON EARTH.  She has been a loving example serving others selflessly - basically all her life!  I LOVE Marjorie. 

Marjorie's cancer has spread.  The past year has been very difficult for her.  She has faced numerous hospitalizations and operations with amazing courage and grace.   She has experienced a great deal of pain.  This past week she had a PET scan which showed the spread of cancer throughout her body.   Marjorie is self sufficient and years ago it was hard for me to know how to help and serve HER. I remember asking what I could do for HER!  She told me she would love for me to come to her home and play Church Hymns on her piano.  That was a great IDEA!  That was something I could do for Marjorie!  She lays back in her reclining chair and listens as I play. Her favorite Hymn is "I STAND ALL AMAZED" and her favorite Christmas Song is "JOY TO THE WORLD".  I have loved playing for Majorie and feel that perhaps in some small way I was able to SERVE her back!

This morning I was extremely frustrated and felt that I needed to call Marjorie to see if I could play Hymns for her.  She cheerfully answered the phone and lovingly greeted me.  I asked her how her day was going and she told me it was a GREAT day!  She was making ROLLS!!!!!  She then asked me how I was - I will tell you this - with a greeting like that from Marjorie, it was extremely difficult not to say GREAT right back to her.  How could I possibly tell her that I had had a terrible, awful, icky week?  NOT POSSIBLE.  I said I am Great because of YOUR EXAMPLE!  I went to her home and talked for awhile and played her favorite Hymn.  I left Marjorie's home with a plate FULL of homemade orange, raspberry and apple rolls!  Marjorie is my HERO!  Marjorie is an ANGEL ON EARTH!  Marjorie is my Example to learn from and she is there for me - pleasantly and lovingly - ALL THE TIME!  On the day I was diagnosed with cancer - November 30, 2011 - after we returned home we immediately walked the distance to Marjorie's home to tell her my news.  Majorie has helped me understand different procedures, medications and I ALWAYS leave her home feeling invigorated!

Please pray for my friend Marjorie - she needs ALL of our PRAYERS!  She is a huge BLESSING to so very many people - quiet, unassuming and a TRUE EXAMPLE of the meaning of LOVE - HOPE - and CHARITY!  Marjorie needs our prayers!  I love that LADY!

My week has been a ROYAL RUN AROUND - I will NOT be starting Treatment Monday as I had ONCE AGAIN been scheduled for.  I have received the RUN AROUND from the Radiation Oncology Department at Central Utah Clinic.  They have known for over a month about my treatment and what I would be needing and it was not until Wednesday the 18th that they submitted preauthorization for such treatment to my insurance company.  Trust me - when I an finished with this MESS - I will be an advocate for anyone and everyone!  It has taken ME calling my Insurance Company and being my own ADVOCATE to get to the bottom of the stories I have been told.  I am at the MERCY of others  BUT it is up to me to be my own ADVOCATE.  I will not complain - I will continue seeking the answers that I need in order to get the proper treatment to cure my CANCER.  I am GRATEFUL for those people who have helped me in ANY small way!

Every person in this LIFE experiences certain levels of FRUSTRATION.  Life is difficult and life is frustrating.  It is how we HANDLE our frustrations each and every day that determines whether we become VICTIMS or whether we BOUNCE BACK and move FORWARD!  At the end of each day I go to bed strong in my convictions, KNOWING that I have done EVERYTHING possible in MY POWER to solve my problems.   The saying I have to say each night is "THIS TOO SHALL PASS".

I have great examples of WONDERFUL PEOPLE all around me.  I am THANKFUL and I am GRATEFUL. I have wonderful friends and a great support base.  I have an amazing family.   PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Continue to pray and me and my family.  I need ALL the help I can receive!  I have stayed busy.  Bubba and I have been on our daily BICYCLE BUILT FOR TWO rides and this is EXTREMELY therapeutic for me.  If you are ever in Northeast Orem and see us riding the RED BIKE - honk and wave.  Just know I am on the BACK and even though my legs are still pumping, my hands are free to wave back!! 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:  "Every individual has a place to fill in the world and is important in some respect whether he chooses to be or not.  Perseverance is a great element of success if you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate - you are SURE to wake someone up". 
AND....
"It is better to be a LION for a day, than a SHEEP all your life".  Yes - this week I have been a LION!  But a NICE lion!  Love and Hugs to all.  I will surely keep you updated.