friends and truths.

On the road and under sky. John and I took a road trip from New York to Indiana a couple of weeks ago. We needed to leave the lovely stanky ways of the city for a while and even more importantly we just had to get home to see family. While on the road we decided to visit a couple of friends that I met online, Kim and Tina. It was my second visit with Kim and our visit was not nearly long enough. We stopped by her place long enough to catch up a little, meet her husband and darling dog Boo and take a short breather from the road but it was well worth the minor detour. I have corresponded often with Tina but had never met her in person and after several cell phone conversations we decided to meet near her home at a food joint just off the road we were traveling. We spent nearly two hours embracing this amazing woman's energy and giddily departed with a bag generously stuffed with vegetables from her garden. I am convinced that these relationships will be life-long exchanges.

I have met many other women over the past year through Rebel1in8 and hope to meet more in the near future. I'd still love to meet women I correspond with who live in Chicago, California, Ottawa Canada, Vancouver BC, and the UK. Also among the incredible women I have personally met are Jeanne, Shelly and Jeelu. Upon my return home from our road trip I prepared for a visit from Jeanne and her friend, Pat. Jeanne came to New York from Seattle this past weekend to try on clothes from my Rhea Belle clothing line and do a little sight-seeing. I made several custom garments for her while she was here and have a couple more to ship when they're ready. Jeanne's visit was intensely wonderful and I'm planning a visit to Seattle possibly as soon as October for business ops that Jeanne is helping set up! She's also preparing a press release for me for an up'n coming Rhea Belle "fashion show". I'll keep you posted on all of that. A few months ago Shelly contacted me after discovering my website and deciding that we had many similar views surrounding the politics and social quirks that infiltrate a breast cancer diagnoses. We met for coffe to discuss topics that will be included in her next book. I recently met Jeelu when she contacted me to participate in a television program about breast cancer. She brought a film crew to our loft in early August to interview me regarding the Rebel1in8 website and Rhea Belle clothing. I'll blog about that amazing, nerve racking three hour experience very very soon, too. The program will air in early October. So much is happening.

As you can see, the creation of Rebel1in8 has guided so many incredible people and opportunities my way. But there is something I want to make clear:
While the topic of cancer has been a conduit for these meetings "cancer" certainly gets absolutely NO credit for them. You see, I do not participate in the misconception that cancer is a gift of ANY kind. It is simply and sharply a physiological, cellular event. I am not and will not ever be grateful for the two diagnoses of cancer that I have received. Cancer has not changed me, enlightened me or enriched my life in any way, shape or form. It was not a gift from any God, Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny, Hallmark, secret admirer or lover. All the graceless, graceful, fearless, fearful, tactless, tactful, persistant, informed, angry and humorous ways in which I have handled my cancer diagnoses were born from characteristics that I have resourcefully accumulated through my years of living and through genetics. The reality is I'd rather not know any of these fantastic women because it is through the common thread of having had cancer that we have met. If it meant not having cancer and not knowing these women... even before my diagnoses I chose fabulous, thoughtful people to be in my life so I'd be ok without these new post cancer friends. But I do know them and I have ONLY them and myself to thank for that. I love them all and they know who they are- thank you for being in my life.

So, just to get that straight.