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Dear Friends,
Today marks exactly one year since my breasts were removed. I had three cancers in one breast and one in the other. This past Tuesday I went to see the surgeon for my annual check-up and after much discussing, prodding and poking she said I can consider myself cancer-free.
Of course it can return but in this moment I'm clean and free of that darkness in my mind. I hadn't realized how much of a veil I'd been living with this past year - my entire attitude was towards my end - I didn't realize that's how I was living but everything pointed in that direction - I even signed only a one year lease on my apartment figuring I wouldn't be around long enough for a two-year one!
One of the great Buddhist practices is to look at everyone you meet in this day and know that they too will die - everyone of us, from the youngest to the oldest is subject to death. It's a fantastic practice...we all say: yes, yes, of course I know I'm going to die but I don't think we really take it in - especially in the West where we're so shielded from Death as though it's something distasteful instead of a natural process of coming into being in the first place.
TIME magazine is doing a very small profile on me in their Style & Design issue coming out early September. When they called to establish how old I would be in September I asked if they would not only say that I was sixty-three years old but also thirty-two years sober! I don't think they will. It would be so wonderful if they had. Anyway, the 11th of August marks my sober anniversary and the 12th is my natal birthday. I will be spending the weekend before in Odessa, Texas - an interesting way to celebrate!
I've been riding quite a bit - back in the saddle - as they say. I will be riding four times this weekend and have set up to ride in Texas; of course it will have to be Western saddle but that's alright, it's still time on a horse. This week I'm going to start cantering again - I've just done a little but want to get more comfortable and secure. My core is not strong - so, lots of ab work!
My book keeps plodding along - so far I've sold 16,000 copies word-of-mouth only, and right now there are another two-thousand sitting on the docks of New York ready to be cleared and delivered!
For those of you who have asked about meditation instruction and practice, maybe you'd like to look at my website under Events. I'm leading a retreat in Ossining, New York in November - (and if you're not good we'll ship you off to Sing Sing which is next door!)
Stay cool during these dog days of August ----- |
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With Love,
Lorna |
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7/31/2008
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Lorna Kelly
"Write that book for the Glory of God
and the Good of people"
- Mother Teresa
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