"This afternoon, being far too ill to do anything else, I watched ‘Creed’, the penultimate film in Stallone’s ‘Rocky’ series. And part of it shook me to the core, for in the film, Rocky Balboa is diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma (one of my uninvited guests), and refuses treatment.
"To hear a beloved film character saying almost word for word what I have said, including the dismissal of one’s own value in relationship, was excruciatingly hard to endure. Film, perhaps even more than books, can compellingly force one to come alongside oneself. It’s not always a pleasant experience, but for me this was a necessary one.
"My ending will not be as happy as that portrayed in the film; there are no resources beyond my own will to help me fight this. But it placed my flippancy and ‘hard’ attitude in full focus, and showed them for the puerile things they truly are. ‘Creed’ helped me grow up, just a little."
The music from Creed is unfortunately a bit pedestrian, so here's the immortal Gonna Fly Now from the original Rocky.
The music from Creed is unfortunately a bit pedestrian, so here's the immortal Gonna Fly Now from the original Rocky.
Thanks to Carol Ashby, Blessed Are The Pure Of Heart is back on Kindle, and will be available in paperback soon.
Friends are everything. I couldn't have done it.
Marley, the canine waif from Afghanistan, whom WE helped save, has a Facebook page! Please drop by to see how happy he is today.
Below are my recent releases on Kindle -please excuse their presence in the body of the blog. I haven't the energy to get them up as 'buttons' in the sidebar. You can click on the covers to go to the Amazon links.
It's so stinkin' tough when that halo/crown doesn't fit just right, isn't it? ... Been feeling that a LOT lately. (So thankful we get to throw it at his feet, where it belongs. ;) ) Sleep well, friend.
ReplyDeleteJane, you are so right! Thank you for this.
DeleteWe're praying for you.
Andrew, I'm struggling with facing retirement, which makes me feel ashamed to discuss in front of you. I'm sure you would welcome the chance to retire because of age instead of medical disability. My friends who have already retired all tell me, "When it's time, you'll know."
ReplyDeleteI think the same is true for you. Andrew, when it's time to fly, you'll know.
When it's time, you're gonna fly!
Annie in Texas
Annie, I actually never wanted to retire...I just wanted to keep going 'till the end, whenever it came. I was scared of retirement, actually!
DeleteI don't mind departing early. Aging is something I'd never have been good at.
And when it's time, yes...I'm gonna FLY!
I'll be keeping you in my prayers.
Well so your halo is tilted a bit. Adjust and move on with humility. Love you. xo
ReplyDeleteThat's the only - and best - way, Susan! We love you right back! XOXOXO
DeleteThinking of you, Barb and the animals, and wishing all of you well.
ReplyDeleteLeon, please pardon my very late response...and we thank you so much for your kind thoughts!
Delete