I know this sounds a bit odd for all of you who know me, but my son insists I have this on my website... and I genuinely appreciate all of your prayers and intents. If miracles exist, perhaps prayers work too!

So, if you have any devotions, mantras, or words of guidance from your own faith, culture, or wisdom tradition that you would like to share with me and this greater community, thanks!

I live my life in widening circles
That reach out across the world.
I may not ever complete the last one,
But I give myself to it.

-Ranier Maria Rilke
With a big, tender, smiling hug for Anita.
from angelina
Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to HOPE for.
-Jose Addison (from Jihan)
Joshua (my younger son, just turned 5-years-old) was sick last week, and had a high fever for five days... Now he is totally recovered. Yesterday night, before he went to bed, he said his little prayer, and he mentioned you.

Here was his prayer: "Dear God, thank you for answering my prayer, my sickness run away from me... please would you do the same for mommy's boss like you did to me?!" Then he said to me "Mom, it might take longer for your boss to recover, since your boss is older than me..."

Anita, you are always in our prayers.

-Binwu Tang
Today I went to church and the priest told a little story like he always does. It was about windows and then I found this line for you.

"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within."

We have always loved you and been amazed by you. Now you show us your true vibrant colors. With all the darkness you still glow...............

-Tania
May the Spirit of the Living God made know to us most fully in Jesus Christ our Lord

Go before you to show you the way, Go over you to watch over you, Go behind you to push you into places you would not necessarily go yourself, Go beside you to be your companion, And dwell inside you to remind you that you are loved beyond your wildest imagination.

And may the fire of God's blessing burn brightly upon you, and within you, now and always. Amen.

-Janie Dean
Keep walking, though there's no place to get to. Don't try to see through the distances. That's not for human beings. Move within, but don't move the way fear makes you move. Today, like every other day, we wake up empty and frightened. Don't open the door to the study and begin reading. Take down a musical instrument. Let the beauty we love be what we do.
--Rumi
Celebration of Life

Every day is a gift, and a reason to celebrate, when we remember to be grateful for the things that are really important. Life brings us joys and sorrows, struggles and triumphs, but it is our simple blessings that will get us through. Faith will light your path, hope will keep you strong, love will bring you your greatest joys, and your friendships will remind you that every day is a reason to celebrate.

-from Dorrie
God often digs wells of joy with the spade of sorrow.
-Anonymous
From Greg: Here's one I've been meditating on personally, which I received as a gift from a friend. It is a prayer to St. Peregrine, the catholic patron saint of cancer survivors. St. Peregrine has a fascinating story, by the way -- read a nicely referenced version here.
Prayer to Saint Peregrine

Saint Peregrine, you have been called "The Wonder-Worker" because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who had recourse to you, who for so many years bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more: you who were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction, ask God and Our Lady the cure of this sick person whom we entrust to you, Anita Bauer Roberts. Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall praise God for His great goodness and mercy.

Amen.

The Heart of the Soul

As metal is forged by the fire
so to is the heart of the soul
made stronger by all of your trials
as you strive to accomplish your goals.

It's so easy to smile when your winning
when fortune is going your way
but character comes from the struggles
of fighting life's battles each day.

Nothing is real until tested
you never know what you can do
until when the odds are against you
you still find the strength to pull through.

- sent by Tania, paraphrased from Ralph Waldo Emerson