Finally the tapes arrived and I began tem at that moment! Lucinda, your tapes saved my life. You and the Midwest Center gave me my life back! I'm able to enjoy my daughter once again. My second child will be born in a couple of weeks and I cannot wait to begin life with him. I worked so hard to overcome anxiety, but without you I would have never found the courage. Thank you, thank you, and thank you! May God bless you always as you continue to help so many people!

Sincerely,
Jenifer Lynch

Dear Lucinda,
...I have not written earlier because sometimes living gets in the way of life. You see, in June through August I had cataract (surgery), a biopsy, and mastectomy. Now in the last two months I have had water in my cellar from my next door neighbor's broken water pipe, sewage backup and an oil fire and furnace that needs replacement. ...I am an unmarried, 70 year old woman who lives alone. In spite of these circumstances I was able to handle all of them well.

Rosemary Rusinko

...it's been about two years that I haven't had severe panic attacks nor the need for long afternoon naps. I find distracting myself, particularly through physical activities, best prevents these attacks. Prayer, particularly by others, has sustained me the last six months. Peace and joy have come back into my life. I look forward to another cancer-free year, renovating my home and doing some more creative writing.

Facing the Light

My daffodils budded earlier than usual this year because of the warm weather.

They fully flowered on the eve of St. Patrick's Day due to sixty degree temperatures. There were thirty-three in of each year Jesus lived on earth.

Amazingly, the next day it snowed. In the weeks that followed, more damaging snow and sleet, strong winds and heavy rain flattened the fragile yellow flowers right to the ground.

Eventually, I stopped being concerned for their survival. I noticed they would spring right back up again and again in the presence of the sun. The blossoms always faced the sun, fixed on the direct source of its light.

If only we would be like the daffodils, I thought, swaying with His will, rooted in His strength, reaching up to His Love and Light.

Rosemary Rusinko (2003)

A stress puppy: A person who seems to thrive on being stressed out and whinny.

Stress is when you wake up screaming and suddenly realize you haven't fallen asleep yet!

My son-in-law, Steve, took Callie (4) to a pet store. As they walked through the store all was quiet until suddenly from above them, "Yaawwk! Hello Hello," squawked a huge bird. Dad said, "Oh, look Callie, a big parrot. Bawk, Bawk, Polly want a cracker." Our Steve is a pretty good mimic and I'm sure it sounded authentic but... Callie said with eyes wide with wonder, "Daddy!!!! I didn't know you could speak Parrot!"