open your eyes....

hi everyone- it has been a really long time since i have had time to post a real post- well not that long but it feels like forever!

i have been meaning to post this post for a while and i feel like today is the day. I woke up this morning to my alarm clock- as usual but not usual. I have it set to play music and i realized how fitting this song was for today's post- and honestly for a lot of posts i have written lately- especially my post a couple of days ago- which was extremely important for me to write- a lot to let go, a lot to let in- you can read that post if you'd like here

so the song was by snow patrol- i'll post the lyrics at the end of this post- they are beautiful and say a lot about what i'm going to say.

i have been following Julia's blog for a while now and she never ceases to amaze me- especially now. I can't do this story justice- Julia writes it a lot better- so please go over to her site and read about Keri.

Keri has come into my life- i don't know her but i feel as if i do. I have been following her story on Julia's blog as well as her own Journal that she has started- Keri's Journal-

The strength of Keri has amazed me- i can't imagine how hard it is to be diagnosed with Breast Cancer at the age of 26. She is one amazing and strong woman though and has made me realize how strength in time of heartache is the key. Keri is living each day- ready to kick this cancer right out of her- this strength that she has will bring her through this- i am in awe and i'm glad to have been able to follow this journey with her and Julia.

Keri will be going through a lot in the next couple of weeks- 8 rounds of chemotherapy, 6 weeks of daily radiation, multiple reconstructive surgeries, hormonal replacement therapy, and infertility treatments. Chemotherapy will throw Keri's body into menopause. Keri will have to have her eggs frozen so that she can have hope to have children in the future. This procedure will cost upwards of $10,000 dollars- and it is not covered by insurance.

If everyone who reads this donates to Keri's fund this unexpected financial burden could be lifted from her. Any amount helps- no amount is too small. I hope that everyone can help Keri- please think about donating, every dollar counts! Here is the donation information

Please make your donation check to:

Keri Wilkie Breast Cancer Medical Fund
P.O. Box 833
Emporia, KS 66801

I hope that everyone reads this and takes a minute to post something on their own blogs, journals, emails- anything! Spread this word about Keri's strength- she is so young to have this happen to her- but she faces it with a smile, and a positive attitude- we all can learn something from Keri, i know i have.

Please take a moment to link to these blogs- leave your comments, love and support- find it in your heart to donate if you can. Keri's story and donation information can also be found on Julia's blog post that i linked to above.

"Open Your Eyes"

All this feels strange and untrue
And I won't waste a minute without you
My bones ache, my skin feels cold
And I'm getting so tired and so old

The anger swells in my guts
And I won't feel these slices and cuts
I want so much to open your eyes
'Cause I need you to look into mine

Tell me that you'll open your eyes [x4]

Get up, get out, get away from these liars
'Cause they don't get your soul or your fire
Take my hand, knot your fingers through mine
And we'll walk from this dark room for the last time

Every minute from this minute now
We can do what we like anywhere
I want so much to open your eyes
'Cause I need you to look into mine

Tell me that you'll open your eyes [x8]

All this feels strange and untrue
And I won't waste a minute without you