The Fabric of Our Lives

This has been quite a week for my family and I. Our family reunion of almost 20 years came to end unexpectedly - a huge disappointment for everyone, especially our children. A few days later we learned a family member has inoperable cancer. We're waiting for the outcome of treatment suggestions this week. Not fun. But as my husband and I sit in our morning room, drinking coffee together, it is apparent that life is always going to have its ups and downs. However, it's not the ups and downs that are important - it's how we deal with them that counts.

As far as the idyllic reunion in San Diego at a fabulous beach hotel goes, yes, it will sadly be missed. But the good thing is our family will go on finding ways and opportunities to be together. Perhaps not the entire clan, but we'll see loved ones at upcoming weddings...and a funeral here and there.

And now, we're having to deal with cancer - a horrific reality that touches most of us, either directly or indirectly, through family and friends. When it affects us directly, huge challenges of coping arise. I've prayed with a woman who had just discovered her cancer of eleven years prior resurfaced in a different part of her body. She was devastated knowing, once again, the painful treatments and therapy she would have to endure. What she shared, though, touched me. She told me how good it was to be able to share her suffering in a support group of fellow cancer victims. 

Yes, it is a fact that life is full of ups and downs. But we're not alone in our struggles. We have each other and we have a loving God who is there for us whenever we call. One final thought I'd like to share that I find extremely helpful - Live for today, for tomorrow may never come. Tell me, how are you coping ? Are you at sea with your life, or do you find something to be grateful for everyday? Thanks for letting me share my heart.

See you in my books!

 ~Nancy Jill

Nancy Jill Thames is the author of "Jillian Bradley Mysteries," Christian fiction based on travel adventures with her husband. The stories reflect Nancy Jill's love of art and serving afternoon tea, which has earned her the title of “Queen of Afternoon Tea.” She is listed numerous times on the Author Watch Bestseller's List and won awards for her blogs. Nancy Jill is a Texas Longhorn, having earned her degree from The University of Texas in Austin, where she resides. The author donates 10% of book sales to the Central Texas SPCA-a no kill animal shelter.

Nancy Jill is busy working on book 7 "The Ruby of Siam" due out in 2013.
Member of the Leander Writers Guild.