I didn’t expect this extra line to be drawn in the sand of my life but here we are. The line separates my birthdays from 2022 and earlier as BCE, my “Before Cancer Era,” from those in 2023 and on, what I call AD, “After Diagnosis.” In this personal timeline, it is now 2AD. Birthdays…
Category: My Life Stories
Sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking, but always real, here are stories of my life. (Everything cancer related is in under About->My Cancer Journey.)
Rosie
Anyone who has traveled anywhere with me knows I am seriously directionally challenged. Give me a map and I can find anything. Without a map, I can get lost walking to the corner. I always keep my car’s gas tank full, you know, just in case I get lost going to the nearest grocery store (which…
Advent
I did not know about Advent growing up, but as an adult, it is a season I have come to embrace. Among many Christian people, Advent is generally recognized as the four weeks leading up to Christmas. It is a time of anticipation, of preparation, of reflection. Some of the traditions associated with Advent, such…
Pajama Pants
Four pairs of pajama pantsMy daughter gave to me.People wear them everywhere,But that is them, not me. And then just six short days agoI tried those flannels on.Oh, the comfort! Oh, the joy!My fashion sense was gone. I wore them for the car ride homeFrom surgery. Then since,The only time they’re not on meIs during…
Love In Action
As much as I dread going to Walmart, for the things I needed, it was my best option. I’m glad I went. Ahead of me in the self-checkout line was a frail, elderly gentleman who had completed his shopping with a store-provided powered cart. He was standing at the kiosk, but leaning on it for…
Walk with Me
I am glad our paths have crossed. Let’s reminisce. How did we meet? School? Band? Church, youth group, handbells or choir? Did we meet at a conference? Were you a subscriber to a publication or did you come to one of my concerts? Maybe you have one of my books. Are you (were you) one…
How It Began
I’ve been blessed. Seriously. Not everybody gets to love what they do as much as I do. I’ve taught private music lessons (piano, organ, voice and theory) since 1972. There have been many years — and I do mean many years — I’ve also served as a church musician. I’ve been the organist, the pianist,…
Join the Ranks!
Combining my interest in history with performing on a magnificent organ seemed like a great idea, so when Mike Hobbs, from the Civil War Round Table, asked me to provide a program for them I quickly agreed. I had absolutely no idea, however, how this event would grow…and grow…and grow over the next days and…
Counting Aloud
Sometimes we run across some wisdom gem or quote or insight that we just have to share with everyone else. It is especially exciting when that gem happens to back up something we believe and have tried to convey to others, as in,”See? I TOLD you so!” If you have ever ‘liked,’ ‘shared’ or ‘retweeted’…
Masinda
I am married but I use my maiden name. Why? Because years ago I promised my father I would. When I was writing for Sheet Music Magazine, I received a lot of reader write-in mail, all with music related comments or questions……except for one. It was addressed to me, marked ‘Personal’. The letter writer introduced…
Gail Masinda (History Heights & Maestro Heights) 