Good Evening Everyone,

I received the most wonderful surprise yesterday!  When I returned to school after a weeks absence, due to Hurricane Sandy, there was a wooden plaque on my desk.  It moved me to tears.  Who would be so generous as to create this gift for me.  Who knew how much this would mean to me?

 I contacted my counterpart advisor at the 'other' school.  I said, Dave, did you have a sign made for me?  Did You make this sign for me?   He said, Marialyce, I have no idea what you are referring to.  I did not give you a sign.  Honestly, I did not.  Hmmm.. If not him then who?   I asked another person and have decided that I do not want to know who gave me this treasured gift.  This person is my Santa Claus.  I felt like a child on Christmas morning when I saw this gift.  I LOVE THIS GIFT!

I took the sign up to Dave yesterday, because he was addressing the faculty about the club.  This would be the first time that the club has been spoken about publicly.  I wanted to show my support.  When I showed Dave the sign he said, Wow, Marialyce, I wish I was the person who gave that to  you.  Then later he said, I want one too....  Do you know Santa too, Marialyce?  A reference to the book, The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell.  I have been referred to as the Connector, one of the three personalities listed in the book, needed to have a successful business.  (The other two are the Maven and the Salesman)
 Little does Dave know... (I know he was making a joke,) but my wheels are already in motion.  Oh my goodness, that would be one of the most exciting presents that I could give this Christmas.     

I want to show you the sign, and the oath that we take at every meeting.  It humbles me to be a member and an advisor of this club.

And so, my wish for you this evening, is that you have a wonderful surprise awaiting you.  I hope someone makes you feel blessed, like a child on Christmas Morning.

En`Joy,

Marialyce

Good Evening My Dear Friends,

Today was the MOM (Mary our Mother) Heart of the Home day of renewal for all women, 18 and older, held at Archbishop Wood High School.  It was a beautiful day of reflection on all the blessings that have been bestowed upon  us.   I was the afternoon speaker.  I was delighted to speak on the gift of faith and how it has manifested in my life.  I was not nervous about speaking, I actually love it!  I enjoy the feeling of having that 'something,' ( perhaps it is the Holy Spirit,) take over and I become the messenger.   It is not about the ego, it is about feeling so divinely inspired that I am merely a vessel for God.   I could do this everyday for the  rest of my life.  It is exhausting afterward.  I could take a nap.  But it is exhilarating and makes me feel joy within my heart.

There were 61 women present today.  One woman came up to me afterward and said, you spoke directly to me.  I feel as though that message was for me.  She thanked me for speaking.  I am thankful that I am able to be of use in my life.  I figured that if 10 per cent of the women there said something to me that was positive, then I would know, confidently, that I should continue.  I must say that after six women expressed gratitude or some positive affirmation, I stopped counting and just said, God, I am soooo thankful that I get to do YOUR will.  I love being chosen to be Your Messenger to others.  I would be a fool for YOU GOD! 

I got to spend some time with my friends, Annmarie and Cathy.  Deanna and Emma came to share the afternoon with us.  Aunt Dee was there in spirit.  We all said the Rosary, shared Mass, Reconciliation and Adoration, and had a lovely meal together.  It was a memorable day.

We return to school tomorrow.  I am really excited to see my students again.  I miss them and their smiles.  The Club that 14 of us were inducted into Friday a week ago, will be in full gear tomorrow.  All members will be wearing their black bands, reminders to us, to choose to live to our highest intention.  To date I have received three application essays for Council consideration and one more that will be received shortly.  I can tell you I want all 4 of these exceptional young people on Council.  All of the members of our club are leaders, however, they are all involved in so many other activities, work, and sports that they have limited availability and time to devote to Council.  They all make me very proud.  They are outstanding people choosing to live an amazing and beautiful life of excellence. 

And so, my wish for you today is that you, too, are living the life you are meant to lead.  I wish that you recognize that you are living your highest intention.  If you don't think you are, then I recommend sitting quietly, by yourself, and asking for guidance.  Ask God to tell you exactly what He wants of you in your life.  I can tell you that you will get an answer.   It may come to you in an odd way, it may reveal itself to you in a very blatant manner or it may be obscure.  I can tell you for sure, that you will know.  There will be no mistaking it.  And when you know, it will be the most wonderful, empowering experience.  Have Faith!

En`Joy,

Marialyce

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Oh Happy Day,
We have borne the wrath of Sandy, a very intrusive, unwelcome visitor, and our power has been restored through the night.  We have been without power for days.  I learned from this experience that I am NOT a camper girl.  I can not even express how delighted I am to be a warm, soft, smooth, clean, fresh smelling woman once again.   Yeah!   Thank you, God and PECO for giving us POWER!

 Over the course of the last several days, we have not had school.  Our family was together, all of us, plus Shawn's friend, Lauren for two days, which was delightful!  We played games, cooked together, and even decorated for Christmas!  YES WE DID!   Our home looks festive, is warm and cozy now and we are ready, prepared to experience the most wonderful time of the year.  I love Christmas.  We will be hosting 14 for Thanksgiving this year and we will have our Special Ed graduates for our Third Annual Holiday Gathering!  So I am really excited!  And we may be expecting Riley too.  That would be quite special.

During this major inconvenience, we took a shower and went to our friend's home,
The Lynch Family, to use their electricity to dry our hair.  We went in separate cars.  When we returned home, Lindsay and Shawn were on the driveway looking at us.  They asked Jim, how they were going to get in the house.  Our home is like Fort Knox these days, nobody can get in, since the burglary, between the locks and the alarm. The back door is locked tight.  The front door, we never got keys made, because we always used the garage door.  And now, because of the power outage, when I left the house, I tripped the automatic opener, but negligently closed the door and it locked.   What a nightmare.  NO LIGHT, NO POWER.  We went to our angels next door, the J's and fortunately, Tim, Mary and Erin helped us with a ladder.  Shawn climbed up the back of the house and was able, after much ado, to get in to our home through our bathroom window.  Jim was calling to Shawn, there is water in the tub, be careful you don't fall in!   What a fiasco.  Lindsay was yelling to Shawn to be careful and all we heard back were are names in annoyance. Shawn was a woman on a mission.  SHAWN IS OUR HERO!  She is truly unbelievable.  She is training for a 5K run this weekend and I think she is in tip top shape. God Bless Shawn!   

At this precise moment, I am waiting to hear if we will have school tomorrow.  It seems to me that it would be fiscally irresponsible for the district to open the school for one day and heat all the buildings to the tune of thousands of dollars. I also just learned that our school still does not have power.  When I spoke to my friend, L, at school, she mentioned that she read my blog!  Wow, I didn't think anyone was reading, I have not heard from anyone in a long time.  I decided a long time ago, that my reason for writing this blog was for my girls.  I know that they don't want to be bothered with my thoughts on things.  But I think they may want to know someday.  I wish that I could have one more conversation with my mother.  Get my Mom's thoughts on different issues. I lost my Mom 20 years ago, and my Dad 10 years ago.   I think by blogging, that perhaps if they would like my opinion on something after I am no longer living, then I will still be providing help.  They also get to read or listen to me 'talk' on their time, and I understand that.  So Thank YOU, L, for encouraging me to continue blogging, you gave me hope today.   

I made two phone calls today, one to Caremark, our prescription company and one to Aetna our medical insurance company.  For over a year I have been trying to locate Roland in the Customer Service Department of one of these companies. Between last August 4 and August 24, I went to Target to buy robes that zipped up the front.  I needed to be comfortable after my mastectomies and thought these would be a wise purchase.  I sat in the Target parking lot in  my car having a nervous breakdown talking to Roland.  I wanted to find out how much money this surgery was going to cost my family and how much my Tamoxifen was going to cost us on a monthly basis.  I have to take this drug for 5 years post surgery. 

When I called the two companies, they see that I have been calling ( today was the third time) to find Roland.  I informed them why I wanted to reconnect with him.  I was sobbing on the phone to Roland telling him about my life August a year ago.  I said I had a magnificent  life.  All my dreams came true. I was blessed with great parents, family and friends.  I have a great husband of almost 30 years and two healthy, adult, educated daughters.  What more could a woman ask for. There is no history of Breast Cancer in my family and NOW I WILL LEAVE A LEGACY OF BREAST CANCER FOR MY GIRLS.  I was devastated.  I tried to live a good, healthy life.  This was now my journey.
It has been 15 months and I want to thank Roland personally for his kind words.  They lifted me up in my darkness.  This is what he said, "You are a blessed woman.  I would like you to consider this.... Your legacy for your daughters will not be that you had breast cancer, but that you were strong enough to beat it.  He said, perhaps all the woman that came before you in your family would not have been strong enough to endure this illness."  OH HOW HE EMPOWERED ME.   Roland was my angel.  I have tried to find him and no one seems to be able to do so.  I have gone to supervisors and asked for help.  I even said if he was unkind to me you would have found him, but you can't find him if he was wonderful to me?   I have considered that he was just an angel sent by God to talk me off the proverbial cliff.   Whatever, the outcome, I love you Roland.  You are my angel.  I recognize you as such, and I am grateful.

On another note, I will be praying for Denise, my friend L's sister who just had breast cancer surgery.  It is such a cruel and inhumane disease.  My prayer is that they got her cancer and that she will live a full and extraordinary life.  

On Sunday, I give my talk on Faith at Archbishop Wood High School.  I am excited to do so.  My friend Annemarie, sent me the most beautiful card, encouraging me and lifting me up.  She reminded me of Roland and I think I have to mention him in my talk on Sunday.  Even today, L said that was a good story, when I shared about Roland.  Who knows, perhaps we will find him, after all this time.

I also spoke to our friends, The Lynch's, and their beach home is fine.  Our friends The Biglin's had water in their first floor, but when I spoke to Karen, she was very much on it, and had a positive attitude.  Which confirms my thought that you can not control what happens to you in life, but you can control how you respond to the adverse situations. 

And so, my wish for you tonight is that you have power in your home, that you give all your power to God, and that you are empowered to do HIS WILL!

En` Joy,

Marialyce

Good Afternoon,

We are all preparing for the same guest to arrive.  Sandy.  Sandy is an unwelcome guest, yet we are all buying food, supplies and working around our homes in an effort to ensure that we are all PREPARED for the great arrival.  It is imminent.  Our school district is closed tomorrow and Tuesday.  Lindsay's office is closed in NYC, Shawn's school, Villanova is closed and Jim's office just called and they will all be working from home tomorrow.  Wow,  Sandy is IMPORTANT.

I pray that all my loved ones, friends and family are safe throughout this visit.

Friday evening was wonderful.  We were all Inducted into the club at our sister school. 
Thirty two of us pledged to live a life of excellence and live a beautiful amazing life.  We will all be wearing black wristbands as a reminder of our commitment.  It is an extraordinary movement.  I am so proud to be the advisor of this club, so proud of all of our members.

Yesterday, one of the students from the sister school invited all of us to her fall festival.  She lives on an 18 acre farm with horses, sheep, chickens, dogs, cats, and guinea hens.  There is a pool, a huge barn and a home that was built in the 1800's.  It is a masterpiece.  This family was warm and welcoming and all the members of this club from both schools got along beautifully.  While we were there one of the dogs came out with the lady of the house.  She maintains the 18 acre farm by herself.  I was in awe of her.

This little dog came out to greet all of us.  He was a Chihuahua Brittany mix and was adorable.  They told me he was a rescue dog.  He is well behaved and rings the bell that hangs on the doorknob to signal his need to go outside.  He had a gentle temperament, and I fell in love with him.  Little Riley, was adorable.  I asked if they would ever consider allowing him to be adopted by another family and the lady of the house said yes.  OMG.  I can not stop thinking about Reilly.  I showed the picture to Jim, Shawn and Lindsay and everyone wants to meet him.  I am considering, a trial visit, Thanksgiving week.  I am off from school and will have the time to devote to him.  He is about 2 years old.  So we may be having an addition to our family.

And so, my wish for you this evening is that Sandy doesn't visit you.  If you are visited, I hope Sandy's visit exhibits no cause for concern.  I also wish you the thrill that we are all experiencing here in our home with the potential arrival of Reilly.


En `Joy,

Marialyce

Good Evening Dear Friend,

Last March 28, 2012, our family was burglarized in the night while we slept.  We were all home.  Jim and I heard what we thought was Shawn, going to her car because she forgot something, after we had gone to bed.  There was no cause for alarm.  We were not fearful or worried.  Later we learned that someone broke in and took many things.

Yesterday was the preliminary hearing for this young woman.  She is 28 years old and has a 2 year old son.  She is a graduate of PSU and is a drug addict.  We were in court yesterday and Shawn and I had to testify.  The young woman's father, fed up with his daughter, testified against her.  I understand the grandparents have custody of her baby.   The Mom looks so haggard, worn out from all the troubles of her daughter.  There is no light in her eyes.  I looked into them as we awaited the final results of the hearing.  I was advised not to go over and speak to her.  I wanted to, though.

We learned that it was not proven that she was the person in our home.  The fact that she had this computer in her possession when she was arrested and other belongings of ours, was only circumstantial evidence.  But the DA said, this is just the beginning.  She will go on trial in December or January for a Felony II charge, receiving stolen property and other charges.  I would like this woman to learn a lesson.  I keep asking Jesus, to guide me to what HE wants of me in this situation.

Prior to going to court I received this email message from Paul B. Taubman.....Your Gratitude Burst...
"Everything will be all right in the end, so if it not all right, then it is not the end." 
Funny, but when I read this yesterday, I thought, we are not going to win this round.  And we didn't.  However, I do believe that it will be all right in the end.  And it is not the end.

Another God wink for me.

As the other family gathered their belongings, not smiling, I looked at the Mom. Dad and daughter.  I looked at Shawn and Jim and thought....  Thank you Dear Sweet Jesus that our daughters are healthy in mind and spirit. That they are productive members of society.  Thank you for the work for their hands to do, which although quite different from each other are what they truly love to do.  I am so grateful for all the times I would not give in to my girls.  Being strong then, has paid off now, because they have a strong work ethic, are caring, loving young women, and love their family.  My girls are young women with a strong constitution.  Just what I wanted.  I always said, I can not stomach a weak, wimpy woman.  UGH!

There is a bright light shining in Shawn and Lindsay's eyes and in RB's eyes the light has gone out. 

And so, my wish for you this evening, is that you can look in your mirror and know that you have done the best you could this day.  I hope that you are proud of the decisions you have made knowing that they were for the good of the whole.   Life can be really really challenging.  It is a good day when I can smile at the person looking back at me in my mirror.

En` Joy,

~Marialyce

Good Evening My Friend,

Last evening we had the most delightful time at Forgotten Orchard.  We went to our friends house to celebrate the Autumn season.  The evening included a bonfire, wagon ride pulled by their draft horses, Captain and Cody, amidst a backdrop of lively conversation, guitar playing and singing and delicious lite fare with the most wonderful people.  We had a fabulous time.

This evening we are contemplating our court date which will be tomorrow afternoon.  We have the preliminary hearing of our burglar, the woman who robbed from us in the night, while we slept, back in March.  We have been patiently awaiting this day.  And now it is the eve of our meeting this young woman.  The emotions are difficult to pinpoint.  Suffice is to say I have mixed emotions.  Jim and Shawn are confident of their postion and I am still praying not only for her but for myself that I am making the best decision.  I am prepared with my victim's statement and wondering if I will be called to the stand.  The DA said to be prepared with a written and verbal statement.  

Months ago I embarked on this new journey.  I have no map, GPS or navigation system.  God has guided me and I believe He will continue to do so throughout this ordeal, as well.  I remember saying to Beth DuPree, my breast surgeon:  I don't want to know you.  I don't want to be a part of this world.  And I have totally embraced the world of Breast Cancer and survivorship.  I am thankful and grateful that I have been blessed with my wonderful life, post cancer.  I can't imagine saying that I am grateful for being burglarized in the night, while we were home. And thankful that I know what it is like to be a victim in a court of law.  But based on my experiences so far, it would not surprise me to discover that this experience too, will be a blessing in my life.  It is all a matter of perspective and having faith.

Our God is an Awesome God!

And so, my wish for you this evening, is that when you are faced with a frightening experience, you can know for sure, that Jesus will be carrying you, just as I know HE is carrying me.   He has been carrying me quite a bit lately.  It is so nice to be that close to HIM. Thank you Jesus, for being my friend.

En` Joy,

Marialyce

Good Evening My Friend,

I watched a video tonight that truly touched my heart.  Shawn sent me the YouTube clip and it was very moving.  I will share it with all of you.  I hope it touches you, as well.  We all come to this world with gifts that we have a responsibility to share, and I believe that sharing those gifts will help others to reach their highest potential.  Choose to live a purpose driven life.
I hope after viewing this that you are inspired to live your best life.   I believe that my students are my teachers!  They teach me everyday how being my authentic self can help others to live their authentic life.

 What are your gifts?   Please consider sharing them freely and generously with others. After all,  it is what you are being called to do!   Enjoy this moment and listen to the lyrics.  Profound!
If you have trouble clicking on the link, perhaps copy and paste to view the clip!   It seems to be a bit challenging, for some reason.  But it is worth it! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX-xToQI34I&feature=youtu.be

En` Joy,

Marialyce