Unravel Cancer: Experiences with family battling cancer: Julie and Julia

17 January 2010

09:56 Julie and Julia

On the recommendation of my aunt, I rented "Julie & Julia" the other night. It was really cute, but also inspiring.

The "making of" special feature on the DVD really hit it home: the common thing about these two women was their passion, not only for cooking, but also for life. Julia had a passion for everything. Julie's life was lacking passion, and she used the passion of Julia Child to help inspire her.

But before I get into the passion part, one area of the film struck me. It was the scene where "Julie" and her husband had a fight, and she realized how self-absorbed she had become from doing her blog project.

Writing about one's own experience truly launched into popularity in the 21st Century with the technology behind blogging. Sometimes I wonder if writing perpetuates wallowing. The same aunt & I had a laugh about how little we were Facebook-ing, Twitter-ing, and email-ing over the holiday break. She commented, "Yeah - isn't it nice to actually live your life instead of write about it?"

While my blog on cancer is not as popular as some, my intention is to help others. Even if only one other person reads this, and concludes their whole life doesn't have to come to a miserable end & the universe come crashing down because their loved one got cancer, then I have been of service.

While Julia Child certainly had a passion for food, her drive was to bring this passion to others through her cookbook, and subsequent television show. And even though Julie Powell's initial interest was to juice up her stagnate life, her writings went on to inspire others.

Writing is one of my passions, so I carry on, whether unknown & nameless or not. The more I focus my effort on what makes me happy, the more I can be of service to others, especially those in need, like my mom & brother.

Be that as it may, let it be known to all that I'm fully aware of how lucky I am. Both my family members are still alive, and they may continue to live several years. We have an opportunity to get to know one another in a profoundly different way. There is much to be grateful for in all our lives. Whether it's your family or friend who has cancer, or you yourself, if you are still alive today, it's cause for celebration.

Yay! Three cheers for being alive!

Hip hip hooray!
Hip hip hooray!
Hip hip hooray!

Labels: cancer, cancer survivor, family cancer, happiness, Julie and Julia, service, writing

Breathe.

I'm a 30-something professional woman who's mother & brother were both diagnosed with Grade 3 Astrocytoma tumors within about a week of each other. My mother's tumor is in her brain, and my brother's tumor is in his spinal cord, causing him to lose feeling in his arms & legs. These writings are about my experiences dealing with them, coping, loving them, loving myself, and living my life knowing that they are both dying. I hope you find inspiration and courage from my writings to help you get through whatever is going on in your life.