Dear All,

I realize that our meeting one another was by an awful twist of fate. But, looking back, I'm a much, much stronger person now. I have each and every one of you to thank.

Cancer has shown me something that I don't think it ever expected. The ability of complete strangers to come together and show unconditional love. I'm so thankful for my soul's growth during my time here.

I was in a horrible accident when I was 17. To look at the car, you would wonder why I'm alive. Virginia used to have a commercial, with this intimidating State Trooper who said "he had never unbuckled a dead man". Well, they pulled the advertisement for seat belts, once I had my accident. If I had been wearing one, I would not be here today. Luckily, I was able to roll with the car when it hit a tree at 75 and flipped 6 times (or more). I was the passenger in the front seat and the firewall met the seat and the roof met the headrest. I was in a space the size of a suitcase when I was rescued. I cried on the way to the hospital to please, PLEASE, let me go. It was so peaceful!!!!! I could close my eyes and FEEL what it was like to die, but something made me come back, and I was mad for years. In the past year and a half, I've come to understand why I was spared.

I've met wonderful people, I've had two great kids, I've learned so many good things about this world.

Tonight, I was reading. I came across this poem, and it seemed to put a lot into perspective. I hope you will humor me. I thought maybe someone else might find it helpful.

IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN WORSE

Sometimes I pause and sadly think
Of the things that might have been,
Of the golden chances I let slip by,
And which never returned again.

Think of the joys that might have been mine;
The prizes I almost won,
The goals I missed by a mere hair's breadth;
And the things I might have done.

It fills me with gloom when I ponder thus,
Till I look on the other side,
How I might have been completely engulfed
By misfortune's surging tide.

The unknown dangers lurking about,
Which I passed safely through
The evils and sorrows that I've been spared
Pass plainly now in review.

So when I am downcast and feeling sad,
I repeat over and over again,
Things are far from being as bad
As they easily might have been.

G.J. Russell

We are here and still loving one another. It could have been much worse. We will all come out of this for the better.

Love Always,
Mandi