Dear friends, As many of you know I was diagnosed with breast cancer almost two years ago. From the first phone call I received, one sentence imprinted itself on my brain. “Positivity is the best medicine.” That wisdom stayed with me every step of the way. I never wavered. For me, it was a lifeline. It still is.
A few months ago, in a heartbreaking twist of fate, my beloved brother Michael was diagnosed with Stage 4 Prostrate Cancer, which spread to his lymph glands, bones, and spine. Shattering news. I’m crying as I type this.
He and I have such a loving, supportive relationship. Much of it goes unsaid because we hear each other. I recall once, years ago, when neither of us had planned to be in LA, we arrived within days of each other. (That was before cell phones.) He actually picked me up at the airport, and we both stayed with a close friend in Santa Monica. One afternoon, Michael was out exploring Topanga Canyon for a possible place to live when the phone rang. The call was from a producer he had met, and I knew he would like to know about it. He was miles away, so I closed my eyes and asked him to call me. A few minutes later the phone rang. “What’s up?” he asked, explaining that it took him a few minutes to find a phone booth.
Another time the two of us were driving around looking for a place for him to live, and he suggested we follow my intuition. Soon we got hungry. Michael wanted to go to The Good Earth. I reminded him we were following my intuition and suggested we go to this salad bar we both liked. He agreed, but when we got there we accidentally entered the wrong door without realizing another restaurant had opened close to the salad bar. We were about to leave when the hostess offered us menus and invited us to take a seat, explaining that there was a promotion and everything on the menu was free. After a delicious meal, the waitress said, “There is no bill.” I couldn’t help teasing him. “Aren’t you glad we followed my intuition?” And he was.
On a more serious note, both Michael and I were with each of our parents when they transitioned. I wrote about my father’s passing in the revised edition of When Souls Take Flight, which will be out in the next month or so. I called the chapter, Circle of Love. Michael and I and our mother and father all held hands as my dear father took his final breath. Then, a few years ago Michael and I sat facing one another on either side of our darling mother’s bed, each of us holding one of her hands when she gracefully departed.
Those were tender experiences. I am so glad he and I were together. That said, I am actively praying for Michael to heal and live. I know once we transition, our soul connection will stay intact. Even so, I prefer to have him on Earth with me now.
Unfortunately, medical options for his condition are limited and have severe side effects. Since many kinds friends asked how they can help, I just posted a Gofundme page to raise money for him to explore alternative healing modalities and also hopefully get electric and water to his cabin in the woods. Although he loves living off the grid, that lifestyle is not compatible with what he is going through.
I sincerely welcome your help and appreciate your taking the time to read this. I have always been blessed with the most sincere and caring friends. For that and for each one of you, I am eternally grateful.
Here is the link to the Gofundme page. Please share it on your social media if you feel comfortable doing so.
