| [Sunday, Oct 14, 2007] When we have faith and watch for the miraculous, we don't always know how or when events outside the normal range will occur - but they do occur on a regular basis - if we believe. It's come to my attention recently that I personally have experienced a miracle, no doubt brought about by the deluge of positive energy, love and prayers for Shelsi and her family. At 42 I began to notice I had trouble reading things close up. By 45 I had learned that is a natural consequence of aging called presbyopia and I finally resorted to reading glasses. This has been the worst part of the aging process for me, more so than weight gain, menopause, gray hair and sagging skin. I always had to remember to bring glasses with me wherever I was - the market so I could read labels, the bathroom so I could read magazines, working on the computer, the car, restaurants to read the menu, etc. And then there was the trouble with finding the right strength. I would buy reading glasses at the store based on how clear everything looked while there, but after trying them at work with my computer they were less than perfect. I also had difficulty with the arms and frames. Anything heavy would give me a headache so I resorted to frameless, light weight bendable titanium arms by prescription from my eye doctor. A further comlication was the difference between my eyes resulting in the need for different prescription strengths in the lenses. They worked better than any of the over the counter versions, but I still had difficulty, and my eyes seemed to be progressively getting worse. It was getting to the point where my eyes just seemed to be going "buggy" with my glasses on all the time. About 2 weeks ago I noticed that when I got to work and turned my computer on, I wasn't immediately reaching for my glasses. Then I noticed that I wasn't reaching for them ever! I picked up a book with small print, and low and behold - I could read the fine print without my glasses on. I don't know about you - but I consider this one of the greatest miracles of my life. How this all relates to Shelsi I'm not sure, other than all the positivity going out to our family on behalf of Shelsi somehow spilled over onto me relieving me of one of my greatest personal frustrations. Perhaps what I'm going through is an automatic occurrence that I just haven't heard about - the eyes correcting themselves after a certain age, and not really a miracle at all. Maybe you can shed some light on this Dr. Condell:-) But whatever the reason - I am extremely grateful for this blessing in my life. It's just one less stress right now;-) Shelsi is still doing well. I will be taking her back to Cedars on Tuesday for round 4 of chemo. She had an awesome day last week with Ric and Jamin. They spent some beautiful quality time together. I've included a photo journal of events since January 25th - hope it won't overtax your systems too much:-) If you notice the bright purple hospital gown with butterflies that Shel is wearing in some of the photos - it was made for her by Gretchen, Ric's fiance'. I think the hospitals need to contract with her - the gown is amazing! We are all so incredibly blessed to be connected on this planet to such wonderful and amazing people. May you always have the light and beauty in your own lives which makes this journey worthwhile, and may abundance of spirit continue to flow from, through and to you all. Love and Blessings, Sheri [On the "how does the healing of my eyes relate to shelsi" topic: It is a demonstration of the presence and possibility of the miraculous -- and a precident for spontanious remission in Shel's case ;] -- editor 
Shelsi a day after the diagnosis 
First day at Cedars with Ric and Jamin 
After first round of chemo 
Kira cuts Shel's hair because it's starting to fall out 
After Eric buzzed her head 
Holly, Shelsi, and Gretchin 
Still smiling 
Walking soon after brain surgery 
Ric and Shel on the parking lot of Neptune's Net in Malibu |