Photo: "I am no longer afraid of mirrors where I see the sign of the amazon, the one who shoots arrows.There was a fine red line across my chest where a knife entered, but now a branch winds about the scar and travels from arm to heart.Green leaves cover the branch, grapes hang there and a bird appears.What grows in me now is vital and does not cause me harm. I think the bird is singing.I have relinquished some of the scars.I have designed my chest with the care given to an illuminated manuscript.I am no longer ashamed to make love. Love is a battle I can win. I have the body of a warrior who does not kill or wound.On the book of my body, I have permanently inscribed a tree". Deena Metzger
This photo of Deena Metzger was on the front cover, I believe, of a major magazine back in the 70's. Very cool and courageous.
I have for the last few years been going on mini-self retreat every month at a wonderful small retreat center owned by the Vedanta Society of Northern California on 2200 acres (yes - you read correctly) near the the Point Reyes National Sea Shore (about 1 hour south of where I live).
Unfortunately, they had to close the center last August due to an infestation of bird mites. These little critters are hard to move out and so they have only been able to open their doors again this month.
And the months it was closed just happened to be the months I was dealing with this whole breast cancer saga. Ahh! My retreats help keep me sane - just ask Ron! So to go through all this stuff these 5 months without retreating has been extra interesting ;)
So, tomorrow I go for 5 nights/6 days. Back Sunday.
Oh - the pain has greatly reduced. I now only need 2 ibuprofen in the day or 2 Tylenol at night. It's really good to have less pain! (This is an understatement). And, of course, that "Tincture of Time" works wonders.
May we all be pain free!
