Dearest Marty: So beautifully written and I totally relate in many ways. In my head, I'm still pretty young, my 30s, except for the fact that years on Gleevec have impacted my short term memory. I will turn 61 on May 7th and most days my body feels like I am 161. I do work full time in a high stress job because it is in politics. You can only imagine. I also wrote Maryland's landmark bullying prevention bill and I serve as the Maryland Director of Bully Police USA, a national advocacy group that monitors state and federal anti bullying laws. As if all of that isn't enough, I am a lieutenant in the Maryland Defense Force, backup to the Maryland National Guard. We are not armed but a group of volunteers who provide services such as free medical, dental and legal care to members of the MNG and we kick in to help when there are storms and such with providing food, transportation, etc. to those who are in need, in Maryland and other states (such as when Katrina hit).
When I was diagnosed, I decided that CML was not a death sentence but a chance to live my life and make every day count. It has been at times a very tough road, as I had a mini stroke in April of 2010. It left no lasting imprint but it was very scary. My husband had a widow maker heart attack but he is a walking miracle. My mom passed away and April 3rd was the first anniversary. She spent 6 1/2 years in and out of hospitals and nursing homes. My 64 year old brother in law died suddenly in July and one month ago my 92 year old dad had a stroke. He has made no progress, in fact he is worse, and is no in permanent long term nursing care. Despite all of this, life is a wonderful thing. We also see people and wonder "do we look like that?" But it is so joyful to wake up every day and know that my husband, the kindest and most wonderful man I know, has woken up and that the other important people in my life have as well. I feel so blessed by the many great things in my life and one of them is that I am on this site with such incredible people like you. I pray for all of us and as promised, your note will go in the Wall when we go to Israel (God willing) on May 21st. You should be named a national treasure! 18s to you. Marcie -----Original Message----- From: Marty Gartenberg <wa2...@gmail.com> To: CMLHope <CMLHope@googlegroups.com> Sent: Sun, Apr 28, 2013 7:46 am Subject: [CMLHope] AND THEN IT'S WINTER. MY LIFE HAS BEEN AN ADVENTURE OF SORTS, AND THEN IT'S WINTER. You know. . . Time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years. It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams. But, here it is... The winter of my life and it catches me by surprise... How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go? I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like. But, here it is... My friends are retired and getting grey... They move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me... But, I see the great change... Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant... But, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be. Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will... I just fall asleep where I sit! And so... Now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!! But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last... This I know, that when it's over on this earth... Its over. A new adventure will begin! Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done... Things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime. So, if you're not in your winter yet... Let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!! Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life... So, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember... And hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!! "Life" is a gift to you. The way you live it is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one. LIVE IT WELL! ENJOY TODAY! DO SOMETHING FUN! BE HAPPY ! HAVE A GREAT DAY Remember: "It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. LIVE HAPPY IN 2013! LASTLY, CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING: TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN, YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE SO -- ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS. 18's Marty -- -- [CMLHope] A support group of http://cmlhope.com ------------------------------------------------- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "CMLHope" group. 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