November 29, 2021

Image by Taylor Wright on Unsplash

 Monday, November 29, 2021

 Life’s a Dance

 Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old shall be merry. I will turn their mourning into joy; I will comfort them and give them gladness for sorrow. 

       Jeremiah 13:30

I have learned to be grateful even when I feel sad and to think positively in the midst of negativity.  When I became a widow with four teenagers, the future looked bleak indeed.  With the encouragement of my friend Shirley Jackson, my proposal of a preschool in Port Williams became a reality.  I loved working with and teaching 3-5 year-olds at Size Small Nursery School and meeting many of the young families in The Port ... for 22 years!

I have learned to hold onto hope when I feel hopeless.  This Spring I felt devastated when told that I had cancer and needed major surgery ASAP.  Eleven days in hospital, at a time when visitors were not allowed, seemed like an eternity.  Home never looked so good as the day I was released, and along Belcher Street the apple blossoms were an encouraging sign that Spring was here.

I have learned to accept love and to appreciate my family and friends who have been my reason to push through 6 months of chemotherapy treatment. I am thankful that the side effects have been minimal and manageable. If all goes according to plan, treatment should be finished by the end of the calendar year. A wonderful reason to celebrate a New Year in 2022!

I listen for the whispering of the angels over the worry and static in my head and I have a new appreciation for the gift of each new day - which is why it is called the present.  So, my friends, live every day to the fullest and dance with joy and be happy.

Prayer:

Dance then, wherever you may be.

I am the Lord of the Dance said He,

And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,

And I’ll lead you all in the Dance, said He.

Amen

Lorraine Miner grew up on the Gaspe in Quebec. Her first trip to NS was when she came to Acadia University as a teenager. Lorraine has three daughters and one son who are all married now and have given her six beautiful grandchildren.