I am a 53 year old woman who fully embraces and honors the woman I am now, at this age of my life and in this space in time. I own myself for who I am, what I have been through in life - be it good or bad - as much as I honor and own all of my life experiences and what I have learned from them.

Two years ago when I joined this site I stated that I was a survivor. I was one then - for the trials and tribulations, trauma and pain - but little did I realize how much of a survivor I would be. On March 25th, 2008 I was diagnosed with cancer - DCIS, or rather, Ductal Carcinoma in Situ, Stage 0, fortunately. I have gone through a lumpectomy, 4 weeks of radiation treatment, and nearly a month ago on 12/11/08, a full hysterectomy and salpingo-oophrectomy to remove all of my reproductive parts. My ovaries were the culprits behind my cancer. Now, I am recovering from that and though I am tired and drained, I am getting stronger every day. I am a survivor.

No matter how painful and hard this journey has been for me, I willingly share it with others to caution them, to guide them. I will survive, I will go on, I will teach and share all of this so that no one goes through what I went through...ever.

In the long run, I truthfully have no regrets for any of it, even the pain and heartache. This is part of my journey - a gift in an odd way - for these things have taught me to be accepting and non-judgmental of others who are seeking their paths in life and who may stumble along the way.

Beyond the seriousness of that statement, I am a silly, wise, playful, affectionate, warm and giving sage woman (really, a kid inside, but aren't we all that underneath the skin of adulthood and responsibility?!) who wants the best in life for everyone that I meet. Life is a gift and we all should enjoy the treasures within it, laugh and take things in stride, fearlessly.

I am a painter and illustrator by avocation, an events logistical director at a college by profession and I love learning about just about anything and everything under the sun, moon and stars....astrology, archaelogy, anthropology, mysticism, mythology, science, biology, painting, drawing, reading (an avid reader), writing...I could go on. My thirst and quest for knowledge are gifts I received from my late father, from whom I also received my drive for a career and self improvement. My gentleness, my loving and giving nature, and my listening skills are what I received from my late mother, whose early death at 52 when I was 19 years old would shape me into the woman I have become.

I am, in a few words, a free spirit, always going with the flow of life, just like water, even if it is turbulent at times.