The Great Pennies, Nickels and Dimes Campaign

A couple of days ago, my sister mentioned that a friend of hers was very ill. As I read her email and then later listened to her speak of him, I realized that he must be a very special person.

A very special person that I think YOU should know about. In our muddled up world of political campaigns, weather catastrophes and the rat race of making a living, his struggles made me stop and think. Her friend, Mike Serna happens to be Native American and celebrates his heritage with wisdom, soulfulness and spirituality. He is also an award winning flutist, songwriter, men's traditional dancer, and documentary creator to name a few talents.

And, he is kind. To illustrate, The Circle of Friends and friends from the Native Community held a benefit for 2 year old JJ Estep who was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Mike drove all the way from Chattanooga on a work night to play 3 songs on his Native Flute, and then drove all the way back so he could be at work early the next morning. Mike did this on his own dime. He reaches out to others without a moment's thought of his own inconvenience. He is due the same from his friends.

He is walking a journey that is very difficult right now. He is battling liver disease and is only able to work sporadically. The chemo he has been taking for the last 6 months hasn't been working. I don't have to tell you that health insurance is a huge issue financially.

So, I am asking that you donate any spare change you may have around the house or office. All proceeds go to assist Mike and his family.

This experience for Mike I'm sure, feels much like climbing a mountain. So, I leave you with these words for Mike;

A Prayer

Nii nahii'maa at'e, ya nahiika'ee at'e.Â

Ik aa'ye iidenka ashii nadndaal. ei nanlwogo aniile shiiyii'ii.Â

Sadnleel da'ya'dee nzho

Da' nzho, Abaachii miizaa

Translation for the White Man (Magaanii)

The earth is our Mother, the sky is our Father

Run to the mountain and back; it will make you strong, my son.

Long life, old age, everything good...

I pray in the Apache language

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON HOW TO DONATE

Rest in Peace, Dan Fogelberg

For those who haven't heard...Dan Fogelberg passed away from Cancer at 6am this morning. He died with his wife, Jean by his side at home in Maine. He was 56 years old.

He leaves behind a wealth of songs and artistry. For me? I was slow to warm up to his music, but I remember when I did get hooked. The songs were "Stars" and "To the Morning."

Dan also used to lived in Kingston Springs, Tennessee which is about 30 minutes outside Nashville. Hearing stories around town of when he lived here made him feel like a neighbor even if he didn't live next door to me. I'll miss Dan. Thanks for the music and lyrics.

To The Morning

by Dan Fogelberg

Watching the sun...watching it come Watching it come up over the rooftops

Cloudy and warm...maybe a storm You can never quite tell from the morning

(Chorus)

And it's going to be a day There is really no way to say no to the morning

Yes it's going to be a day There is really nothing left to say but come on morning

Waiting for mail Maybe a tale from an old friend or even a lover Sometimes there's none

But we have fun thinking of all who might have written

(Chorus)

And maybe there are seasons And maybe they change

And maybe to love is not so strange

The sounds of the day Now they hurry away Now they are gone until tomorrow

When day will break and you will wake And you will rake your hands across your eyes and realize

That it's going to be a day There is really no way to say no to the morning

Yes it's going to be a day

There is really nothing left to say but come on morning

And maybe there are seasons and maybe they change

And maybe to love is not so strange

Dan Fogelberg

1951 - 2007

Come on Mornin, indeed....Rest in Peace.

Good Morning From America, Robin!

Last week, Robin Roberts announced that she has breast cancer. I was stunned. She is seemingly the picture of health and the disease doesn't even run in her family. That is scary stuff right there.

What makes it even scarier is that a normal mammogram didn't catch it. She had additional tests because she felt a lump. What is she didn't feel it? What if she didn't do an exam on herself? Cancer is an angry disease and can spread like wildfire. It is SO fortunate that she caught it in the early stages.

According to ABC News, she had successful breast surgery and is recouperating at home. Okay everybody (myself included) GET YOUR MAMMOGRAM AND DO A SELF EXAM REGULARLY!

Message to Robin Roberts: Get Well, Girl. I want to see your smiling face on Good Morning America SOON. By the way, I said a prayer for ya. From your pal that you don't even know.

More Musings Later-