Dear Life, My mind is on high alert each day watching my body. It’s a job Cancer gave it. Treatments come and go and continue. I am thankful I no longer have chemotherapy, by infusion or orally. Both turned my body beyond upside down. I am grateful for the immunotherapy trial drugs. They have limited side effects and have kept me on the planet. I am grateful for the medical professionals that I see today who work tirelessly to help so many patients. I am grateful for my community. Thank you.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Collage 11.14.2022

Dear Life, A friend said “You haven’t written a Love Letter in a few days.” I replied, “I have nothing to say.” I also told her I had given up on the idea of having “a new experience” of love. She suggested I think about online dating. Hmm. Later I thought about these comments. Health and Romance. The Love Letters started in Dec 2018 after an 11 day stint in the hospital. I had written hundreds of “love letters” to My Beloved, a phantom. I decided it was time to write a Love Letter to Life and express my gratitude.
Life, you are a mystery. A powerful force within and around me. Thanks for this day.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

PRM 10.09.2022

Dear Life, Want to improve your mental health? Listen and watch for meaning-making moments; those small moments when you hear or see something that lifts your spirit: laughter coming from nearby or seeing a couple embrace. My Spirit helps me navigate the toils of life by providing many such moments. This morning it was seeing my hair standing straight up when I looked in the mirror. I burst into a smile. I am grateful to have hair!!!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, Does anyone else feel like it’s too cold too soon? I was enjoying afternoon walks with temps warming up to the mid-40’s. It’s 32 degrees outside. I am a warm weather creature. Stem Cell Replacement changed my body temperature and blood pressure: very low. But I need to feel the sun on my face so layer up those clothes and put on a hat. Walk briskly and be grateful it’s mostly sunny today. Think WARM!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, When I sit down to eat, I silently am grateful for the food I can enjoy and my life I can live. I know the pain and discomfort of not being able to eat due to cancer treatments with side effects and water tasting like metal due to the chemicals in my body. I also know the dangers of alcoholism/addiction and am grateful to be sober. Today, I tell a story of gratitude about going through hell and living a day at a time. Someone may need to hear it. Break bread with a friend who may need you.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, I am in a 30-Day Program “Surrender Pamela”.
Day 22. I assessed what’s up since then: experienced struggle, joy, confusion, sadness, pain, grief, love, serenity, curiosity, love, discomfort, irritability, desire for change, self-made drama (around moving), madness, crankiness, tolerance, frustration, fear, worry, concern, anger, joy (more than twice), humor, happiness, a little flirtatiousness, generosity, comfort and acceptance. So who is having all these feelings if I surrendered Pamela?
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, Treatment went smoothly: nine vials of blood withdrawn and immunotherapy injection. Walked two miles afterward to move the chemical around my body. It’s a ritual that helps me with all of this. Then I painted and collaged, another ritual, to help me with all of life and elections.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

Dear Life, I silently drew and painted this watercolor on musical score paper. It makes me feel peace and hopeful. That is enough. I let this image be pervasive throughout my body and mind. Stressful thinking can derail my feeling of well-being. When that happens, I breathe, center and remember: Seaweed. Smile. That’s my deep thought for today.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
PS Out the door to the Cancer Center for treatment.

Watercolor on Musical Score Paper 11.07.2022

Dear Life, Here I am with Catherine Gerry while we visited the Dixon Studio Tour. I met Catherine in 1988 while teaching at New York School of Interior Design. She was a student and now a successful Interior Designer in the NYC metropolitan region. Our friendship has sustained 34 years of life experiences and living 1800 miles apart. I am always grateful when she comes “home” to New Mexico. Friendships make my life thrive and meaningful.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose

PRM & Catherine Gerry 11.05.2022 Dixon, NM