Wednesday, February 19, 2014

WHAT'S IN A WORD? ...

Hi, All,

I hope everyone is having a good week so far. Half way through already!

An unexpected complication brings me to Florida today. Something I had never planned on, but here I am. Life is full of surprises and we just never know when one will hit us between the eyes.

This has happened to a very close blogger friend, one whom most of you know. Roland Yeoman's had surgery done on his face from complications of cancer. I hate cancer. Many of my family had died from it. Please take a moment an say or prayer or send a good vibe Roland's way.

Tomorrow I have my surgery. Just a scraping of cells that got caught under the flap they lift to laser the eye. Of course, when it comes to my eyes I am a bit nervous. But I know all of you will send me good vibes and prayers as well.

This week DOES hold one HAPPY surprise though, it's Michelle Wallace's (Writer in Transit) three year blogoversary!

YAY MICHELLE! AND she is hosting a very intriguing bloghop featuring a most fascinating concept in African philosophy.... UBUNTU. Great word, isn't it?!

What is UMBUNTU?... you ask.

"In Africa, there is a concept known as UBUNTU – the profound sense that we are human only through the humanity of others; that if we are to accomplish anything in this world, it will in equal measure be due to the work and achievement of others." – Nelson Mandela.

So this week with unexpected surprises/issues that our community once more comes together to support each other.

Also Michelle has suggested to post anything creative, poem, illustration, etc. I had created a piece for a recent contest I had entered in the SCBWI ... sadly nothing came of it BUT, I love the whimsy and the bright colors and I do hope you all enjoy it.





If you have time PLEASE visit the other hoppers, on Michelle's site. 

ALL the best to you my friends!

48 comments:

Denise Covey said...

Oh, Michael, I didn't know about Roland (thanks for passing that on) and your surgery caught me by surprise, too. I wish you all the best...sending prayers and thoughts your way.

Michelle's bloghop has been awesome. So many inspiring posts, of which yours is one.

Keep us posted my friend.

Denise

D.G. Hudson said...

Good luck with your eye surgery, Michael. More healing energies sent your way. I emailed Roland this morning and wished him well. Hope you and Roland recover quickly.
Take care.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

HI Michael - I only picked up on Roland's surgery yesterday and I have and will continue to wish him well - cancer, operations, after-care are all stress making and very worrying: I sincerely hope all will heal.

For you too - for your eye surgery .. one blessing must be escaping the cold for a while ... with thoughts on that and as DG says healing energies ...

I am sure you'll be 'looked after' in Florida which is why you've gone south to be with friends .. take care and with many thoughts .. Hilary

Nilanjana Bose said...

All the best for the surgery and quick recovery, Michael. Sending lots of positivity your way. So true what you said about life being unexpected. Take care.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

It's a wonderful piece, Michael.
We'll keep you in our prayers as well. Still waiting to hear from Roland.

Natalie Aguirre said...

Good luck with your surgery tomorrow. And Alex let us know about Roland this week too. I do hope things are going well for him.

Jo said...

Best wishes for your surgery, eyes are always a worry. Roland too, I so hope all goes well for him.

Loved your Ubuntu piece.

Robin said...

I hope your surgery goes well... keep me posted. And enjoy the warm FL weather while you can:)

Robin said...

BTW, I am drinking a cup of coffee from Colombia right now and it is DELICIOUS!!!

E. Arroyo said...

I heard about Roland. His faith inspires me. I hope everything goes well for you. =)

Elizabeth Seckman said...

I didn't realize Roland had cancer. Yes, I hate that nasty disease too. Hugs and prayers for Roland. And prayers for you too, Michael. Stuff dealing with the eye creeps me out too.

And I love the picture. It is so very happy. Art is subjective. Quite frankly, I don't see the hubub about the Mona Lisa.

Julie Flanders said...

I hope your surgery goes smoothly, Michael. Sending all good thoughts your way. Take care!

shelly said...

Looks like we'll have to add you to the prayer list, too.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I will be praying hard for you, Michael. Thank you so much for praying for me at the shrine of Mother Cabrini. The prayers and emails of my friends meant so much to me.

The world is spinning for me -- but that's all right -- I always wanted to travel -- now, I get to do it in one spot!

The severe pain I could do without though!!

You will be in the hands of professionals who have trained years to do your surgery and they have the experience to make them skilled operators (I once went out with one of those but she wasn't a surgeon -- although she did do a bit of carving on my heart!)

You are a special person, Michael, and your spirit will carry you through. Surgery is no fun, and of course the fear is there because it is your eye. But the Father is also there. Like the good shepherd, He will lead you through this darkness to healing and health.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Since today is Thursday, I hope and pray everything went well today.

Connie Keller said...

I'll be praying for your eyes. I hope you recover quickly!

Deniz Bevan said...

I can't believe nothing came of it - that's a lovely bright hopeful image!
Hope everything goes well with your surgery {{hugs}}

Unknown said...

I believe prayer can time travel, so continued health to you!

Anonymous said...

Good luck with you eye surgery, my thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Yvonne.

Laura said...

Good luck with the surgery and recovery. Sending love and brave thoughts your way. Laura xxx

Old Kitty said...

Popped over from Roland's blog!!! Sending you positive light and good wishes for your surgery! Please take care, take it easy and rest, rest, rest!
x

VR Barkowski said...

True, Michael, life is unexpected, but that's okay. Who would want to live in a world without surprises? Fortunately, you're strong, resilient, and positive. That's a guaranteed win, win, win.

Thinking of you and wishing you a lightning fast recovery!

VR Barkowski

Tammy Theriault said...

hey love! sorry nothing came of that wonder art piece, but I know why. because they wanted you to give it to me...it's true! while wearing your shortest daisy dukes.
keep smiling because it looks good on ya!

Shannon Lawrence said...

Good luck with your surgery. Anything having to do with the eyes is nerve wracking, but I hope all goes well and your recovery is quick.

The Warrior Muse

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Michael, you're a wonderful artist too? That's a magical picture. I love its colors and liveliness. It shouts of ubuntu.

I'm so glad to have read on Roland's blog that you're okay, but very sorry for your pain. I'm sending prayers your way.
xoRobyn

Empty Nest Insider said...

I also just came from Roland's, and was happy to hear your surgery went well. I love your artwork! It brought some spring into this windy, winter weather. The colors pop, as the details down to the cute dimple bring it to life. Take care of yourself, and feel better soon.

Julie

Crystal Collier said...

I hope your procedure went well, and I'll keep Roland in my thoughts. What a bright piece of art--almost as sunny as my sunny Florida. I think any excuse to visit my home turf is an opportunity. =)

LD Masterson said...

Sending prayers for Roland and for you for successful surgeries and recoveries.

Tina said...

Wow. I'm praying for you both. Thanks for sharing so openly about what's going on. Been praying for Roland whom I met before you, but did not know that you were having these challenges. Take care, God bless.
Tina @ Life is Good
A to Z Team @ Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014

Al Diaz said...

I hope everything went well with your surgery. Take good care of yourself and we'll be praying for a fast recovery.

Michelle Wallace said...

Hey Michael, sorry I'm so late in getting to your place.
I hope that the procedure went well. Keeping you and Roland in my thoughts and prayers.

QUOTE: "What I've come to learn is that the world is never saved in grand messianic gestures, but in the simple accumulation of gentle, soft, almost invisible acts of compassion--everyday acts of compassion. In South Africa there's a phrase called ubuntu. Ubuntu comes out of a philosophy that says, the only way for me to be human is for you to reflect my humanity back at me." - Chris Abani on TED. (Check it out if you have a chance)
Your bold, colourful art is reminiscent of my rainbow-nation land... multi-coloured... multi-dimensional... the perfect reflection of ubuntu!
Thank you for reaching out across cyberspace, and sharing in the spirit of Ubuntu!
Writer In Transit

WordsPoeticallyWorth said...

Sorry for your troubles. Nice picture.

Thank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.

Yolanda Renée said...

I hope your surgery went well. Such a delicate area, but so much good being done today via technology and skill. Roland too - such a supportive blogosphere.
Congratulations to Michelle, what a worthy project! UBUNTU!

Trisha said...

That work is beautiful - thanks for sharing, Michael!

Damaria Senne said...

Thank you for sharing Michael, and I hope your surgery went well, and that you hqve the moral support you need as you deal with the cancer.

BTW, I came by way of Michelle Wallace's blog as part of the hop.

Anonymous said...

Hope everything went smoothly with your surgery, Michael:) I told Roland, scars make men sexier *they do* I love your art--hummingbirds are my favorite, and this one you created is enchanting!
Ubuntu Spirit of the Blue Swallow

Jemi Fraser said...

Hope the surgery went well! Keeping you and Roland in my thoughts.
Love the picture - and Michelle's hop - such a great idea!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Michael .. glad to see you around the blogosphere and hope you give sufficient time for that eye to heal ... take care and with thoughts - Hilary

Morgan said...

I've been wondering how you are doing, Michael!!! I hope everything goes well... so epic for you... :/

klahanie said...

Greeting Michael,

My good friend, apologies for my late arrival on your site. Always worth the wait for one of my comments, evidently.

I have duly sent positive thoughts to Roland. I do so hope that your surgery turned out just fine.

In the altruistic spirit that is the celebration of Michelle's third blogging anniversary, we shall all continue to embrace the ethos of the magic that is the all different, all equal blogging community. Celebrate the differences and the diversity.

In peace and hope,

Gary

Susan Oloier said...

Michael, I know it's after the fact, but I hope all went well with your surgery and with Roland's. I had surgery for cancer a couple of years ago (as you know), so positive thoughts and prayers are with him.

TL said...

Hoping the surgery went well! Keeping you and Roland in my thoughts.

Stephanie Faris said...

Love the illustration. I hope your surgery went well. Please keep us posted.

Jeff Hargett said...

Good vibes and prayers earnestly sent, an abundance of them!

Anonymous said...

I hope your surgery went well, Michael. Wishing you all the best.

MJ, A to Z Challenge Co-Host
Writing Tips
Effectively Human
Lots of Crochet Stitches


Elise Fallson said...

I hope you are recovering quickly from your surgery. Very sweet artwork, love the colors. Take care and sending positive vibes!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Love the picture! I hope you are recovering quickly from your surgery. Praying for you.

J.L. Campbell said...

Love the splash of yellow in the painting.