Weekly Round-Up
Time for this week’s round-up of the best of the blogs which I’ve read over the past week. These are the posts that have moved me, taught me something, inspired me, and which I’ve wanted to share with you. Remember, if you have written or read a post recently which you would like me to share with readers, then please leave a comment below.
I am starting off with a round-up of the bloggers who took up Anne Marie’s writing challenge to us this week. Here is what she prompted us to think and write about:
What are those phrases, those words, those things you’ve heard spoken (or written) that have caused you to become irritated? Annoyed? Angered to the “I’ll seriously hurt you” point? Gotten cranky over? Were they said to you? About you?
Jan answered the writing challenge on her blog and made the excellent point that she counters the insensitivity by educating the public through her talks and presentations. Beth made me laugh out loud as I read her responses to the insensitive comments that have been said to her – be warned! some of them are jaw droppingly crass. And Lori’s contribution to the debate is both eloquent and intelligent – another must read.
Lois continues the series of posts, interspersed with her poignant and beautiful poetry about losing her mother. I find it heartbreaking to read these, but am also grateful to find what is in my heart echoed in her words.
Poetry is also the order of the day on The Paw Paw Salad blog and Yvonne’s mother is the subject of her latest post, as she recounts the love and care which goes into the packages crafted lovingly by her mother for her. There is a lot to ponder in Yvonne’s post, and I encourage you to read it and reflect on its contents.
Isn’t it wonderful when we learn new things about our friends in the blogosphere and find ourselves saying I never knew you did that – and so it is with Jackie this week, who revealed herself as a biker chick. I loved how she draws analogies between how motorcycle riding is like breast cancer.
Debbie hosted her first guest blogger this week, Annette Ramke, co-author of Kicking Cancer in the Kitchen : The Girlfriend’s Cookbook and Guide to Using Real Food to Fight Cancer.
Kathi is crowdsourcing opinions on breast reconstruction on her blog and her post will be of great help to those who are about to go down this same road. I thought her method of choosing a surgeon to perform the operation makes a lot of sense.
Florence has shared an incredible story with readers about how cancer taught one woman to love life again and Lani has a moving tribute to another cancer loss to our world on her blog.
Renn has found a post on her blog that she wrote exactly a year ago, just after her cancer diagnosis, but before her treatment began. As I said in my comment to her, I think it’s incredible when we can look back on how far we have come on our journey through our writings. Nancy’s Point is also reflecting on her own journey with cancer as she writes about how the painful memories of her bilateral mastectomy live on – a theme also echoed in Bringing Up Goliath.
And now I want to introduce you all to a new (to the round-up) blog by Audrey Birt. Audrey is the Director for Scotland of Breakthrough Breast Cancer and has recently been diagnosed for a second time with early breast cancer. This week, she writes about mindfulness and music – a wonderful combination indeed.
School’s out for summer and Nancy‘s anticipation and excitement at the summer days ahead is infectious. “When you are looking forward to the promise of something you have come a long way forward on your journey” wrote one of Nancy’s readers and I think it is a wonderfully true statement. I hope wherever you are in the world, that too will make happy memories this summer with your loved ones.
Yours with love
Marie xxx
How do you do this week after week Marie – I mean find the time..it must take ages to read, collate and comment on this blogs and then put them into context for us. I am so happy that you do though!
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I enjoyed the writing prompt from Ann Marie this week – hope to see more of these in the future
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Looking forward to catching up on another week of great blogging
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Thank you, Marie, for another great round-up and for including my posting! I am in awe of you and am in great company with the other awesome bloggers. I’m glad my post made you laugh out loud; sometimes laughter is the best thing.
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Another excellent selection that lead me off in intriguing directions.
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Thanks, Marie….Not only for including my blog in the roundup but for sharing the writing challenge that was inspired by YOUR words! I must say I’m with Ann on this… I don’t know how you do this but I truly appreciate it. I’ve found many wonderful blogs thanks to your efforts. You are truly at the “center” of our community!
Much love always,
AnneMarie
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Marie:
Thanks again for including my blog in your round-up. I was so excited to host my first guest blogger and Annette really came through with a great post. I must lend my voice to your praises – your round-up is a pivotal part of my week. Many thanks!!
Survival > Existence,
Debbie
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Thanks Debbie and may i say you really picked a great blogger for your first foray into guest blogging 🙂
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Thank you, my friend.
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I love your round-ups, Marie. I have found many great blogs that way. And I do so appreciate your including mine. Thank you again.
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I feel the same..about discovering new blogs..like yours and when I do, I love to share them with wider audiences. You have a unique voice in the blogosphere Lois with your beautiful poetry and it is an honor to be able to share your writings here.
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A wonderful round-up once again, Marie. I love how you always organize the topics and weave them so beautifully into a single written tapestry. I’m honored that you included my post in your line-up. Your kindness shines a welcome light in this sometimes dark world. xx
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Stop, you are making me blush Jan 😉 Seriously, as Annette wrote in her comment, it is a labor of love to be able to to do this and I want readers to realize how much we are united by a common bond, even though we are separated by states, countries and oceans.
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Agree, Marie — you have a way with segue!
(That is a nod to Paw-Paw’s iambic pentameter challenge, albeit with one extra syllable!)
And thank you for the mention of little ‘ole me. 😉
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I love little ole you x
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AnneMarie summed it up best: You are the center of our community. Thank you for all that you do!
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Aww thank you so much Flo x
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Thank you very much, Marie for this round-up. Your work is clearly a labor of love. Have a great weekend.
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Hi Annette, thanks for taking the time to comment and it was great to be introduced to you via Debbie’s blog this past week. Good luck with your new book. Marie
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Thanks for bringing me into the breast cancer blog family. Like all of you I love how this world connects us. And my blog is also part of my therapy. Marie its an important and skilled role you bring to a very special community, thank you
A xx
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I only just discovered your blog this week Audrey and it is a pleasure to introduce your voice to this community of bloggers. Marie
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I have soooo much catching up to do, Marie! I always value your round-ups for giving me a good place to start. Thanks for including my link. The response to that post once again confirms the tremendous generosity of our blogosphere. So much love here. xoxo
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