It has been far too long, and so very many stories ago that I last blogged. Well, I am back! I have promised Nanci that I will once again write about the many lives our book has touched. It was Adam, a little boy from Canada, who has inspired me to do so. Thank you, Cathy, from the BC Center for sending this heartwarming story.
Cathy wrote ... The BC Cancer Agency runs a number of libraries that are open to patients and families. This week at one of our centres a mom and her young son were returning a bunch of books about talking to kids about cancer. The little boy looked at the "Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings" book that they were returning and said sadly, "I'm going to miss that book!" Mom says to us, yes, he really liked that book. And they decided they would read it together one more time before they returned it.
I decided at that moment that Adam needed our book. So I emailed Cathy asking her to find out more information on the little boy. Within a few days I learned that Adam reads our cancer book for children often. As his mom described, "He uses it almost like a security blanket."
Just another example of the value our book offers to a child who has someone in their life with cancer!
With butterfly wishes,
Ellen McVicker, Author
Friday, October 29, 2010
Monday, April 21, 2008
What Do Perennials Have to Do With Cancer?
I hope Nanci doesn't mind, but I feel compelled to tell this story that she proudly shared with me this week.
During Passover Seder, Scott, Nanci's husband asked the question to those in attendance, "Do you know the difference between an annual flower and a perennial flower?" Not the typical Seder question.
Confused, everyone gave their definition and waited for Scott's response. Rather than agree with the correct answers, Scott gave new meaning to the definition.
"You see," he claimed. "It is true that an annual flower lasts only a year, and that a perennial returns year after year. I want you to know that my wife, Nanci, is like that of a perennial flower. For those of you who may not keep count, Nanci just passed her 5th year being cancer free."
Confused, everyone gave their definition and waited for Scott's response. Rather than agree with the correct answers, Scott gave new meaning to the definition.
"You see," he claimed. "It is true that an annual flower lasts only a year, and that a perennial returns year after year. I want you to know that my wife, Nanci, is like that of a perennial flower. For those of you who may not keep count, Nanci just passed her 5th year being cancer free."
The room was silent. Where was he going with this?
He continued, "And just as a perennial returns year after year having grown stronger, fuller and more beautiful, so has my wife." With that he handed her a gift - a beautiful Bird-of-Paradise necklace that he designed and made for his very own perennial wife!
He continued, "And just as a perennial returns year after year having grown stronger, fuller and more beautiful, so has my wife." With that he handed her a gift - a beautiful Bird-of-Paradise necklace that he designed and made for his very own perennial wife!
Congratulations, Nanci, on a life fully lived - on a life filled with strength and beauty.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
No Matter Where I Go
Dear Friends,
It amazes me that no matter where I go in my life, someone shares a story about a person in their life who has cancer. This past week, a friend of mine and I took our youngest sons to the Colorado mountains with 3 of their friends to go tubing. With a bad back, I decided to be the photographer and forego the tubing. As I relaxed indoors warming myself after a brief photo shoot, I met an elderly man doing the same - photographing his family who were also tubing. His name was Tom and he was from Louisiana. Tom and his wife Gerri had brought their grown children and grandkids to Colorado for a week of fun in the snow. As we talked, I learned more about Tom and his family - obviously a very proud man! Soon, we got to his loving wife. He told me about the 6 year battle she had with cancer and her newly diagnosed clean bill of health! His love and care for her was clearly obvious. I told Tom about our book Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings and he immediately became enthralled with the fact that I was the author of a book about cancer. Before long, Tom was introducing me to each of his family members. He was so excited to have met an author, he even took my picture with my son and his friends ... wanting to show everyone back in Louisiana that he had a met me. While he promised to email me, and told me he wanted to purchase a book for his family and some friends he knew who were also dealing with cancer, I couldn't help but feel that even if we never spoke again, he was a man I would always remember. You see, in our brief moment together he understood what Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings was all about. He recognized the journey that Nanci and I had taken with our book. He expressed to me something that Nanci and I have said all along - that our book is now out in the universe. At some point in time, it will reach every person who will benefit from the messages that unfold across its pages. Perhaps Tom will be our first sale in Louisiana - and if not, our acquaintance reassured me about something I have always known ... cancer touches the lives of everyone. No matter where I go or to whom I speak someone knows someone with cancer. No one is exempt, and our book can be a source of comfort for all who find it and all who read it. More importantly, when people have a loved one with cancer, most people need someone to talk to about it. I was glad to have been there for Tom.
With butterfly wishes,
Ellen
It amazes me that no matter where I go in my life, someone shares a story about a person in their life who has cancer. This past week, a friend of mine and I took our youngest sons to the Colorado mountains with 3 of their friends to go tubing. With a bad back, I decided to be the photographer and forego the tubing. As I relaxed indoors warming myself after a brief photo shoot, I met an elderly man doing the same - photographing his family who were also tubing. His name was Tom and he was from Louisiana. Tom and his wife Gerri had brought their grown children and grandkids to Colorado for a week of fun in the snow. As we talked, I learned more about Tom and his family - obviously a very proud man! Soon, we got to his loving wife. He told me about the 6 year battle she had with cancer and her newly diagnosed clean bill of health! His love and care for her was clearly obvious. I told Tom about our book Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings and he immediately became enthralled with the fact that I was the author of a book about cancer. Before long, Tom was introducing me to each of his family members. He was so excited to have met an author, he even took my picture with my son and his friends ... wanting to show everyone back in Louisiana that he had a met me. While he promised to email me, and told me he wanted to purchase a book for his family and some friends he knew who were also dealing with cancer, I couldn't help but feel that even if we never spoke again, he was a man I would always remember. You see, in our brief moment together he understood what Butterfly Kisses and Wishes on Wings was all about. He recognized the journey that Nanci and I had taken with our book. He expressed to me something that Nanci and I have said all along - that our book is now out in the universe. At some point in time, it will reach every person who will benefit from the messages that unfold across its pages. Perhaps Tom will be our first sale in Louisiana - and if not, our acquaintance reassured me about something I have always known ... cancer touches the lives of everyone. No matter where I go or to whom I speak someone knows someone with cancer. No one is exempt, and our book can be a source of comfort for all who find it and all who read it. More importantly, when people have a loved one with cancer, most people need someone to talk to about it. I was glad to have been there for Tom.
With butterfly wishes,
Ellen
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Welcome to our Blog....Ellen and Nanci are on the East coast for Pink Pony Day with the Ralph Lauren corporation. Pictures to follow.
Ellen recently visited Fox Hollow Elementary School in Aurora, Colorado where she met with all grade levels for a reading of our book. She spoke about the experience of publishing a book and showed the students the many drafts that she wrote throughout the process. Additionally, Ellen told how her cousin Nanci's cancer diagnosis inspired her to write the book for Nanci's two young boys. The students were enthralled. They walked away with a new appreciation for the writing process, as well as realizing that they have the ability to help others during an illness, or difficult time. After they visit with Ellen, children are to share back what they learned from Ellen on the writing process, about cancer, or about being someone's butterfly. Fox Hollow students had a lot to share:
"Thank you for coming. I enjoyed you being here because you gave me a new understanding of how to write a book and when you write about something you truly care about, you have to stick with it, " wrote Jordyn, a 5th grader.
"Your book was very, very good. I really do think you got the messgae you wanted to give to kids whose moms have had cancer.... it must have driven you crazy working on one book for five years ..." wrote Zachary, another 5th grade student.
"I really like your book becaue it tells other peopple to not be afraid of other people that have some kind of bad sickness ... I love (your book). It reminds me of my grandma that has cancer, and (that) I'm going to be alright," stated Hope, a 4th grader.
Ellen recently visited Fox Hollow Elementary School in Aurora, Colorado where she met with all grade levels for a reading of our book. She spoke about the experience of publishing a book and showed the students the many drafts that she wrote throughout the process. Additionally, Ellen told how her cousin Nanci's cancer diagnosis inspired her to write the book for Nanci's two young boys. The students were enthralled. They walked away with a new appreciation for the writing process, as well as realizing that they have the ability to help others during an illness, or difficult time. After they visit with Ellen, children are to share back what they learned from Ellen on the writing process, about cancer, or about being someone's butterfly. Fox Hollow students had a lot to share:
"Thank you for coming. I enjoyed you being here because you gave me a new understanding of how to write a book and when you write about something you truly care about, you have to stick with it, " wrote Jordyn, a 5th grader.
"Your book was very, very good. I really do think you got the messgae you wanted to give to kids whose moms have had cancer.... it must have driven you crazy working on one book for five years ..." wrote Zachary, another 5th grade student.
"I really like your book becaue it tells other peopple to not be afraid of other people that have some kind of bad sickness ... I love (your book). It reminds me of my grandma that has cancer, and (that) I'm going to be alright," stated Hope, a 4th grader.
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