Merry Christmas Cathi and great to see you here again! I'm glad the situations seems to be working itself out.

Merry Christmas, Cathi. It's so good to hear your voice here again. And wonderful to hear how things are turning around well in your life. Welcome back!

Hey there again, Eagle, I finally listened to your radio interview today. I am so glad you had the courage to share your story! It's helped me get through some situations.

Meredith, I read the post about the gallery. I am so sorry those jerks put you through the agony they did. I would love to hear how they are doing down the road. I would say if this is their standard business practice, they will not be in business much longer. There is nothing artistic about looking at the bottom line. No wonder they are not doing well.

I love you all alot!

It's great to hear your voice again, and even better to learn that you are growing with Zoey's situation. God does amazing things to crack our hearts open at times, doesn't he?

I'm sorry to hear your dad is still suffering. Has he had any breaks of wellness?

Yes He does Dotsie. I started reading Joyce Meyers on the forgiveness issue. Then it seems like I kept running into that subject no matter where I would go. Then Richard piped up one day and mentioned, "Why don't we try to mend some fences with them? This fighting is just not worth it". I was so happy to hear him say that because it was a burden lifted off my shoulder and that was the "permission" or "sign" I needed. Now the rest is history. Communication is the key to everything and it turned out there was so much misunderstanding on both parts. I found out Sofia told them something at that time out of anger and they took it seriously. Now I can see why they were very protective and I only wished they would've said something to me in the beginning and I would've alleviated their fears. She told them we were going to take Zoey and go to Greece. No wonder they were protective, but Sofia has a habit of not thinking before speaking. She didn't literally mean it, but this type of scenario has been known to happen and they saw this as a strong possibility.

I thought this woman wanted Zoey for herself and would do anything at all cost to make that happen. When I finally admitted that to her. She told me she prefers to be a grandma and has had her children. It's amazing when we do not do the simple type of communication how it can lead to misunderstandings and distruction.

My dad has had some close calls since May. My parent's went to Greece for about 3 months, and the doctor gave the okay for the travel. Unfortunately, after he arrived there he got sick. At first they thought it was a stomach virus. Then he seemed to get better, only to turn around and have it come back and get worse. Needless to say, they had to cut their trip short. Upon his return they did an MRI and they couldn't find anything. And he started to feel better again and was able to eat. They suspected parasites. Then in September, he became worse. This time they decided to operate on him and see what he had in there. It turned out he had a tumor in his intestine and it was cancerous, but they were able to remove all of it. Of course, he had to recover from abdominal surgery. I have had two and I know it is not a quick recovery, so imagine in his condition how hard it was to recover from it. Then he seemed to get weaker and his skin was turning yellow. I was afraid the cancer may have spread to his liver. It turned out his blood level was very low and he needed a blood transfusion. This was three weeks ago. He has since been going through chemotherapy again and his spirits seem to have been lifted. He does have to have oxygen, and he cannot walk far, so he needs a wheelchair. They do have a hospice nurse who comes in and helps my mom take care of him.

I went to see him the weekend before Christmas and I was so happy to see him with color on his face and in higher spirits. He told me, he has accepted the fact that he is going to have to use the wheelchair and oxygen. Now he does not stay in bed, he gets up and comes down the stairs and spends his day in the family room. Anyway, he says he will make the best of it because he wants to enjoy what time he has left. Oh and another thing, my mom helps him get ready in the morning and helps him get ready for bed. He told me that was his favorite part of the day because of the closeness with my mom. That was so sweet to hear him say this. I told him to take advantage of the pampering and that is how he is looking at it.

I have always been a firm believer in having the right attitude speeds up anyones recovery.

Thanks for asking Dotsie, you and the rest of my sisters here have been with me during this whole ordeal and I am really blessed.

I love you all alot!

Cheers,
Cathi

its good to see ya back and thanks for updating us all cathie .

Cathi, as far as the gallery -- I did my best, and it's their loss. Sometimes we need to try, and then move on.

While reading your above posts, what stands out is how close and loving your entire family is. I'm sorry your father went through all that, but the love and support he gets from everyone surely is a blessing.

Cathi, how wonderful to see you again.

Communication is key, you are absolutely correct. I am happy that life is beginning to work out for you again.

Best wishes to your entire family.

I'm so glad to hear the barriers have been broken and everyone is getting along much better. I'm sure it's been hard because it's your daughter's life, but you needed to step in and help her. Then, as parents, we don't always know boundaries with the amount of help that is actually needed. Sounds like you've found the balance. Good for you.

I'm sure watching your dad suffer has been extremely tough, but you are fortunate your parents get along. I've heard stories of couples bickering their way through illness and that's so sad. I'm grateful your dad still has your mom and all of you to help care for him. At times like this, we have to count our blessings.

Thanks for the kind words about my family. I have been truly lucky through out the years. It hasn't been without issue for sure, but who is perfect. We move on...

Oh believe me, the bickering has been there as well. There was a time I felt so sorry for my mom. I was even more worried about her than my dad for a while there. But God Bless her, she truly has come to understand it's the illness causing him to snap at her. But the more time passes the less and less he is likely to do so. She is worried about him and being the typical Greek, she is on to him about eating. He is very thin, and this worries her. I try to tell her not to do this, and when he is hungry, he will let us know...and he does. At least he is craving for certain things and that is progress. He was never a big eater to begin with anyway. What makes me happy is to see the color on his face and the new found positive attitude. I have never seen him so positive before in my life.

As for Sofia, it was tough because I had to be like a drill sergeant for awhile with her. I told her from the beginning I was going to be in order for her to get her life together so she can get her daughter back. It was a difficult thing for me to do, but it was the only way at that time. Now I have to let her go and hope some lessons were truly learned and hopefully, she will apply them in her everyday life. Time will tell. But I believe God has surpassed all understanding and I am so glad He did that with our family!

I love you all alot!

Cheers,
Cathi

Cathi, my brother once told me that he thought that his cancer was harder on me than it was on him. He didn't have the energy to worry or think beyond the current moment, while I worried about and took care of everything else. He maintained that except for the day or two after chemo, he wasn't in any pain, just tired, which he didn't consider a hardship. (That probably changed during his bone marrow transplant process). But for the most part, I think he's right. I think the family and caregivers are bear as much, if not more, the hardest brunt of cancer.

I'm a little late but, wish you all a Happy New Year! I was with the grandchildren for the holidays to and fro-ing between London and theirs.

It's so nice to have you back again, Cathi. I wondered who Wisdom&Life was until I saw your photo. Happy to note all is well with the family.

Lola Lola! Fee fei Lola!!!! It's sooo good to see you again.
Happy New Year to you too! I'm going to give you a New Year's call this week. So keep your phone by your side!
Glad to read your positive post, Cathy. I have a feeling 2009 will be a good year for all of us!

Edelweiss

If I don't call you first. LOL!!! If it were'nt so late Bavarian-wise, I'd have done that now. I've only just railed into town with a bad cold from my grandchildren and waiting for my house to heat up!!!

Lola,

I already responded to the prayer request thread about my dad and there is an update. This just goes to show how fast things can change in a matter of days. I am glad to see you, and I am so hoping for a better balance this year.

Edelweiss, I feel like bursting out in song when I see your username, LOL. I missed you! In spite of the roller coaster situations surrounding me, I have to agree with 2009 being a better year. It has to be.

I think it starts with ourselves, I truly believe that and it is my resolution to work on this.

Love and Hugs,
Cathi

i been away to so belated new year whishes to you all. xx

Right back atcha girlfriend.

How were the holidays for L?

Happy New Year to all...Cathi, I'm so glad to see you're back, girl! I'll read the other post to catch up on your life.

I am going to agree with everyone that we'll all shine in 2009!

After all...Wouldn't you hate to think the best had already come and gone?

Believe it...feel it...live it!

_____________________________________________

Cathi, I'm coming back to this thread because it just hit me that I had missed a bunch above this one. So I read all of them. Oh you all have come such a long way in your understanding and love. The strength you and your family have shown through all of this is so inspirational and I hope others in similar situations are reading all about it.

Love was what broke those barriers down...and it WILL conqueror all. How brave and how wise you have all been. I'm so happy that the events have turned around in favor of every one involved.

I hope when I go to the other thread that I read your dad has recovered. God love him. He has been through so much...as your mom has as well. I see where you get your strength!

Sending love,

he has a blast or a hoot as youd say thanks for asking.

Handled it much diffrent so no going into shock or crying becouse he got presents this year lol. loved the tree, loved the decorasions so much their still up! i am negosiating with him that they have to come dowen, soon! lol.

he's exited about the new year but i think it was an anti clmax for him, ie just another day lol still his birthday soon.

Hey there Your Majesty! I hope you had a great Christmas! I missed you very much...

Is that the beautiful Dolly Llama? Tell her I said hello and give her a scratch behind the ear from me!

Cheers,
Cathi

W&L,
Trixie is now Dolly Lama! We love our Dolly's!!!