In honor of our daughter’s university graduation, I found this quote, which I thought was perfect for today’s festivities and celebrations. The gorgeous photo is from my good friend, Sabrina.
Our daughter has persevered not only academically but also personally and today she’ll walk across the finish line with a Bachelor’s Degree in hand. To say we’re proud doesn’t even cover all the emotions. 🙂
So go out and Live, Dream, Act and Believe!
Sending much love, Lauren ♥
Do you have a family member or friend who is constantly taking photos? Do you have moments when you just don’t want to be the subject? I do, I have and I’ve been the guilty one clicking away.
Copper’s been in our family for over three years now and I think we’ve taken about a million photos of him (slight exaggeration). But for those of you who own pets, don’t you agree there can never be too many pictures of our furry friends?
I took the first three when he had better things to do (like chew on his bone). However, he complied but not without attitude. 🙂 He weighs about 74 lbs, is tall and lean and all muscle, which is why this first photo makes me smile. In the photos following, you’ll see his true self.
“If you insist”
“Time’s almost up”
“I’m done!”
and now some photos from my son…
and lastly, with me
I hope you enjoyed this peek into Copper’s life
and I wish you a smooth and peaceful start to your new week!
Lots of Love, Lauren 🙂 ♥
Dear Friends,
I am embarking on a new adventure and this is an introduction. My second poetry book, “Finding a Balance” is almost ready for publication and it’s nice to not be such a novice the second time around. This book isn’t just about sharing more poems I have written. It’s not only about me. It holds a deeper meaning; the new adventure part. The proceeds will be donated to an organization for a purpose close to my heart and my family’s. I’ll begin, though, with a back story…
Part I:
After three years of abdominal pain and ongoing tests, on October 4, 2012, our daughter, Stephanie, was diagnosed with Primary Schlerosing Cholangitis (PSC). She was 21 years old. Her doctor was the head of the Gastroenterology department and was extremely competent. He didn’t beat around the bush. He told us this wasn’t good. Below is a brief description:
Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a very rare condition where the bile ducts inside and outside the liver become inflamed, leading to scarring, narrowing and blocked ducts, potentially causing a build-up of bile in the liver, and in some cases cirrhosis. Patients with PSC are at a high risk of developing liver cancer. Symptoms begin gradually with abdominal pain and itchiness and include worsening fatigue and, later, jaundice. Liver transplantation is the only cure for prolonged life. This is usually needed within 10 years of the diagnosis, but each patient’s case is different.
I’ll try to keep the drama at bay, but I’m sure you can imagine our reaction. Our daughter doesn’t drink or do drugs so there is nothing she did to provoke this diagnosis, which is why it’s called an auto immune disease. This was a shock to our entire family. My husband and I had many emotional moments, wishing we could take her place. We were paralyzed of doing anything that didn’t need doing for the rest of that year, except for the necessity of living. We asked God why…why Steph? She has a heart of gold and is simply a nice, caring individual. Many have asked these same questions and there are still blanks waiting to be filled.
Since 2012, she has had symptom flare ups with several ER visits, but otherwise, on the outside, she’s beautiful and looks perfectly healthy. The doctor told her to live life to its fullest. That was his profound advice. She has a stellar attitude. She lives in the HERE AND NOW and there is no other option. She is due to graduate this year with a Bachelor’s Degree and has been busy with school, friends, her boyfriend and of course, family, with no time to sulk. She is human, though. She has broken down at times, but I think, as her parents, our score is higher.
So…I’m telling you this not for sympathy but to bring awareness to this horrible, slow progressing, life threatening disease and most importantly, the need for organ donors.
Part II:
All proceeds from my book will go to The Chris Klug Foundation (www.chrisklugfoundation.org), also found on Facebook.
Chris (born November 18, 1972) is a professional alpine snowboarder. After receiving a liver transplant in 2000 to treat PSC, he went on to compete in the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, winning a bronze medal in the Parallel Giant Slalom. This was the first and so far only time a transplantee had competed in the Olympics. He also won a bronze medal and lit the torch at the 2002 National Kidney Foundation U.S. Transplant Games. In 2004, Chris released a book called To the Edge and Back: My Story from Organ Transplant Survivor to Olympic Snowboarder. (Wonderful book of inspiration and hope)
Below is an overview and mission of his Foundation:
Founded in 2003 by liver transplant recipient and Olympic snowboarder Chris Klug, The Chris Klug Foundation is dedicated to promoting lifesaving donation and improving the quality of life for donors, donor families, organ transplant candidates and recipients.
CKF is passionate about sharing the message of donation, and educating people on the impact one person can have on the lives of so many others. Over one hundred and ten thousand people are currently on waiting lists for solid organ transplants across the U.S.A. CKF is devoted to making a difference to those waiting for a second chance. We are also there to help promote the message of organ donation.
Working with young people across the nation, CKF provides campaign materials and information for “Donor Dudes” chapters in high schools and college campuses. People everywhere are touched by organ donation and transplants, and we want to get the message to everyone.
The publication for my book will be at the end of this month or beginning of February. I’ll do a separate post when it’s available and again, I’m very excited for this new collection to have a greater, deeper purpose.
Our life now is about “Finding a Balance” between PSC and all the good things!
Someday Stephanie will need a liver transplant so becoming an organ donor is an unselfish way of giving another soul a second chance.
Thanks so much for reading and I wish you all Happiness and Good Health!
If you’re so inclined, prayers and positive thoughts
for Stephanie will be greatly appreciated.
Lauren
♥ ♥ ♥
The holidays are joyful in many ways, but they can also be tough.
Skipping Christmas is often wished for through difficult circumstances and going through each day with merry measure, being joyous all together, simply may not happen.
We all have problems we’re dealing with on various levels. No one is exempt and as we turn on the news, trying to be joyful in a world filled with so much tragedy isn’t easy; it’s hard enough to comprehend.
So I’m offering a little bit of good cheer and inspiration. It’s not a lot and it might not help. Then again, it might make a difference for even one person reading, which would mean the world to me.
Remember, while the road may be unpredictable, you’ll always have “tough and strong” to lean on.
Sending Love, Smiles and Blessings for this day and all days to come,
and wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!
Lauren ♥
Dear Friends, how are you? I hope life has been good to you!
I’ve had a relaxing break, accomplished some tasks on a to-do list, and have enjoyed time away from the computer. I confess to have returned to Facebook earlier than blogland, simply because I haven’t been writing. I think my muse started her holiday vacation early and I just hope she comes back soon!
I couldn’t wait to return until after the holidays, as I’ve missed you all, but it’ll be a slow process. I don’t even have a poem for this post, but rather a photo of what I’m beginning to do for this time of year!
Take one if you’d like. 🙂
And so I need to start traveling around the land of blogs now, but I leave you with a holiday quote:
“Christmas isn’t so much about opening presents, but about opening our hearts.”
Sending you all virtual hugs and wishing you much Love, Peace and Happiness throughout this holiday season.
See you soon! Lauren ♥
You registered on WordPress.com 4 years ago!
Thanks for flying with us. Keep up the good blogging!
When they say “time flies” there’s no doubt!
I honestly can’t believe it’s been 4 years!
I created this blog in 2010, but actually became active in 2011,
so in my mind, it’s been 3 years. 🙂
All I really want to say is a BIG “Thanks” to all of YOU!
You who have been with me from the beginning,
joined me in the middle or
who have recently just found me;
You who have been mentors;
You who have encouraged me to continue writing
and lastly, You who have become friends!
It’s amazing meeting people across the country
and around the world!
So “THANK YOU” for stopping by in the midst of your busy life.
I appreciate all of YOU and to celebrate,
I give you a hug!
Oh, alright, here’s a few more.
One can never have enough. 🙂
Wishing you a wonderful day, evening and week
and I hope you continue to enjoy
this little piece of my world.
Love, Lauren
♥♥♥
(all photos from Google images)
This is a sequel to my prior post, “Around the Bend” and again I’m sharing photos of an experience I never thought I would be brave enough to try. My husband suggested white water rafting for one of our outdoor activities last week since we were going to vacation where rivers flowed. I was apprehensive, but willing to try.
In doing research, the trip we chose was a Class 3 and it was geared for children/adults ages 6 and up. Well, if a 6 year old can do this then so can I! Fear hadn’t left me completely, though. On the contrary, it stayed with me up until we “boarded” on our raft. Through this experience I have found that anticipation is the worst. Anticipation can take over our minds and get the best of us. Once I was on the raft, paddle in hand and 110% confident in our guide, I was into it. I felt more in control and the idea became exciting rather than frightening.
So our adventure began, life jackets on, feet braced, paddles in place and on we went. We started out slowly before we hit the Class 3 rapids, which was nice and peaceful. A chance to take in the scenery. During the rapids, we all yelled either in harmony or simultaneously, and I don’t think out of fear, more like “this is so damn exciting!” 🙂
During the big rapids, our guide looked at me and said, “since you’re a rookie, Lauren, you get to ride the broncing bull.” This meant I was to sit on the nose of the raft, hold onto the ropes and ride the rapids. I looked at him and said, “Are you serious?” He said, “Yep!” I wasn’t going to play coward, so I placed my “derriere” on the nose with my legs hanging over, held on tight and said many prayers. 🙂 When we nose-dived, my feet dipped in the water and it felt awesome. Beyond exhilarating!
After we made it through the big rapids, we had calm water again and the opportunity to fall into the refreshing river and enjoy, which is just what my husband and I did. Actually, the other couple did the same. How can you not? A big plus was that it was almost 100 degrees outside so getting wet was welcomed.
One thing I learned from this is not to let Fear take control because if I had, these wonderful memories might not have existed. Just so you know, nothing was allowed in the raft because everything gets wet and you’re too busy paddling to hold a camera. So these photos were professionally taken by the company photographer. My husband and I are in the back of the raft with our guide behind us.
I hope you enjoyed these photos and my story of “checking off one more item from my bucket list.” White water rafting is well worth it if you get the chance.
I’m going to end with a few powerful quotes about fear and living…
“Don’t give in to your fears. If you do, you won’t be able to talk to your heart.”
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
“Don’t be afraid of your fears. They’re not there to scare you. They’re there to let you know that something is worth it.”
― C. JoyBell C.
“The purpose of morality is to teach you, not to suffer and die, but to enjoy yourself and live.”
― Ayn Rand
“Don’t fear death, fear the un-lived life
[Angus Tuck]”
― Natalie Babbitt, Tuck Everlasting
Thanks so much for stopping by and have a wonderful day or evening,
wherever you may be. ♥
I feel like talking and I hope you don’t mind getting that favorite “cuppa” and relaxing here for a little bit.
I’m reminiscing about how this blog was born and maybe you’ll do the same, thinking about yours. This is my third year now and I really can’t believe three years have passed. I thought by now I would have moved onto something else. Well, the truth is, I enjoy it. I love writing poetry, sharing it here and receiving feedback. Recently, I’ve had a little fun sharing photos, as well. By all means, I’m not a professional photographer, but I’ve always loved photography, taking photos and viewing them.
Another aspect of blogging is meeting people. I’ve made new friends from all over the world and from various parts of the U.S. and it’s amazing how we can talk and connect right here like we’re five minutes apart. Throughout these three years, a circle of blogging friends has been created and honestly, they feel more like family. I would assume most of you feel the same way if you’ve blogged for awhile.
I had never thought of blogging until after seeing the movie, “Julie & Julia” with Amy Adams and Meryl Streep. 
What an awesome movie and story, starring two of my favorite actresses. Anyway, I’m so thankful my son, especially, but also my hubby and daughter, nudged me into starting this blog. Through this journey, I’ve shared my emotions, made friends and checked off one more item from my bucket list by self publishing my first collection of poetry. This was a big accomplishment and then to have others purchase copies of my book…WOW, just WOW! What a humbling experience!
I’d like to say that all of you have been a big part of my life. Your support, love and friendship has meant the world to me. Some of you have been with me from the start, have read some of my earlier work (oh my gosh) and have seen my writing evolve. I feel it has, even though there is so much more for me to learn.
We may never meet in person, but in this crazy, virtual world, we have come to support each other in our writing endeavors and through our life journeys, mixed with smiles and tears. I’m repeating myself, but I say “Thank You” once again, for making my blogging experience the best it can be for me! Your visits and comments have given me the encouragement to continue on this path.
This “blogging hobby” began soon after I turned the Big Five-O; it was something different, fun, exciting and a Giant step out of the comfort box. So I plan to carry on, looking forward to the road ahead and I’m truly blessed with such great company! ♥
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you
have a wonderful week ahead.
With Love, Hugs and Blessings,
Lauren ♥
All Photos: Google Images
(except for the one of me) 🙂
Baydreamer Writes ~ Lauren Scott, Author & Poet 
