Dear Life, Woke early to the sound of rain, unusual in Santa Fe. Music to the ears and nourishment to the earth. It is snowing on the mountains. The Ski Resort is doing a happy dance. They plan to open on Thanksgiving. Dense clouds are close to the ground creating a mystical feel. Today, I will bake to celebrate a friend’s good news: the chemotherapy is working. Let there be chocolate cake with whipped cream and a game of cards!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Collage and Painting 11.04.2025
Dear Life, In 2021, after 6 months of chemo, a cancer biopsy was done between my heart and lung. The doctor had difficulty and said, “I will try one more time. I don’t want to hit your heart because it will bleed out. But if I hit the lung, we can repair and inflate it”. The third attempt was successful. No bleeding and lungs breathing. The biopsy confirmed Lymphoma cells had spread. More chemotherapy, stem cell replacement, clinical trial, more chemo. Today I am healthy, heart beating, still breathing, living gratefully a day at a time.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Heart Painting 24″x’18” 10.17.25
Dear Life, My life is a day at a time, a season at a time, a daily page of people, places and things. And there are seasonal events that appear such as, First Day of School. I happily take a page out of last year’s Love Letters and return to campus today. I have the first draft of the “Love Letters to Life” book in my hands. There is work to be done in order for it to be ready for the world but I am smiling to see the pages of my life in print. Let’s live a new one!
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Dear Life, An uplifting evening with Sting in Phoenix, remembering we shine brighter with time. Beautiful and creative spirits. We are one in love.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Dear Life, My blood test results were great. Normal. My body is healing and generating new, healthy cells. It is a “moment in time” to celebrate. We all can celebrate when we receive positive news. We can all support one another through every “result” whatever it may be. My faith and hope is here for you. Thank you for being in my community. I love you.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Watercolor and Ink on Yupo Paper
Dear Life, My oncologist warned me that he didn’t think the PetScan report would be good. The radiologist had not called. I waited 10 minutes that felt like an eternity while the doctor spoke to radiology. “Your PetScan report is good. I am surprised.” Tears brimmed my eyes in joy. I’ve had no chemo drugs for 8 months. This is unusual for a Diffused Large B-Cell Lymphoma patient. Treatment started in 2020 and has been non-stop until August 2024. I knew my body needed time to heal in order to continue treatments so I asked for a break from “heavy toxins” having had Stem Cell replacement, clinical trials, chemo, immunotherapy and more. My body is regenerating and renewing. Consensus is: “It is shocking”. I think it is another miracle! Grateful and in joy.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Ink on Yupo Paper 03.10.2025
Dear Life, Most days, I draw a graphite Energy Portrait. I think of them as gentle x-rays. My body has had a minimum of 4 Pet Scans a year and multiple x-rays amounting to 50 plus radiation images over the past 6 years to detect/tract cancer cells. With all the radiation and chemotherapy I’ve had, I light up in the dark. My next Pet Scan is March 10th. I live between scans with the freedom of choosing my attitude. Family, friends and community provide love and support. Creativity helps me stay grounded.
I thank everyone and my Spirit.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Studio Wall 02.14.2025
Dear Life, I am having new experiences with people, places and things. I acknowledge that each day is a new, never lived before or to be lived again. I affirm being present and entering into the day with an open mind and heart, curious eyes and ears, and willing hands and feet to go where inspiration and intuition lead. This way of living allows my spirit to guide me. That puts a smile in and on me. Here I go into the “adventure” with gratitude.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Tempera Painting with Graphite Drawing
Dear Life, Woke to winter waving through the bedroom window. Snow lines the limbs of trees, adobe walls, earth blanketed, mountains obscured by dense clouds. 20 degrees. I wake slowly. My senses begin a tick-off list: hear sounds of heat coming from forced-water baseboards, my eyes detect the darkness or light, my skin feels the warmth of soft bedding. Murmuring thoughts signal the body to move upright and I find my way into the kitchen to push the coffee pot button. Thank you Life for lifting me into this new day and all it holds.
Yours Truly, Pamela Rose
Graphite Energy Drawing 01.29.2025
Pamela Rose Markoya 