Happiness
This last year I learned to be happy in the midst of surgery/chemotherpy and various other treatments for cancer.
I was happy before cancer and I truly loved my life, but I really had to learn how to be happy despite the everyday inconvenience and pain of treatment. I was fortunate to have an incredible husband, Paul, and a lovely daughter, Elizabeth, and the best friends anyone could ask for, as well as super doctors and caregivers. People were the key.
Nobody knew exactly what to do, yet they were able to give me just what I needed at just the right time. I also had to learn to breathe deeply and endure scary thoughts and be happy-- despite everything that was going on at the time.
I am now cancer free. I am the same and yet different. The difference has to do with how I look at the everyday ridiculousness of life. When anyone says that they are soooooo busy--I find it hard not to laugh. Happiness has nothing to do with being busy. It has to do with the ability to sit in the sun and watch the light filter through the leaves.
Sometimes that is enough and has to be enough.
About Ianthe
Ianthe Brautigan was born in San Francisco at the tail-end of the Beat Era. Her memoir You Can’t Catch Death has been published in the USA, UK, and has been translated into German. Her work has appeared in Cartwheels on The Faultline and The Poet’s Eye: A...
Happiness
Happiness is as simple as being present in the moment, being grateful for all there is and all I have....my writing, my family, my health, my life. It's a connection with a friend or a stranger, a quick smile, or giving to another. It's a brass ring you can grab at any moment.
In Watermelon Sugar
Dear Ianthe, I fist read "In Watermelon Sugar" in high school and I'm 49 now. I've lost count of the amount of times I've re-read it. It's my favorite book for when I'm melancholy and need a lift and your Dad is what I consider to be my mentor as far as being a writer is concerned. I would like to have your blessing before I write a sequel to "In Watermelon Sugar" This is something I can really sink my teeth into, but it would be an empty feeling if you did not approve. Your book about your Dad told me that the apple didn't fall far from the tree. Your writing was superb and I felt closer to Richard than I ever had before. My e-mail address is brautigan@embarqmail.com I'll be waiting hopefully for your reply.
Lanny Ray McClure
cancer and kindness
Dear Ianthe-
Although I'm sure you don't remember, shortly after your memoir was published, a friend of mine in the book business somehow contacted you and told you of my love for your father's work and for your memoir. To make a long story short, I ended up with your phone number and gave you a call. You were extremely gracious and we spoke for 15 or 20 minutes and you then kindly allowed me to send my copy of your book to you for an autograph.
In any case, I recently learned you have won a battle with cancer and I wanted to reach out and speak to you again.
What I didn't tell you on the phone back then was that I was recovering from my own bout with prostate cancer at that very time. I was actually in my early post-op period and feeling quite blue. In fact, I'm not sure I'd have even called you except I was so depressed from my cancer that I figured what the hell....your worst response couldn't be as bad as my cancer!!! : ' )
In any case, that was 9 years ago and I remain cancer free with a renewed love for life.
When I heard you'd had cancer I just wanted to reach out and wish you well and tell you how much your phone conversation cheered me up back then. It's funny how small kindnesses can make such a difference and your taking my unsolicited call was certainly beyond kind.
It sounds as if you're doing very well but I just wanted to offer my support as a fellow survivor. I might also point out that I am a surgeon whose practice focuses on breast cancer treatment, so I am also a cancer caregiver!
Lastly, if you aren't familiar with them, the LIVESTRONG organization is terrific for cancer support.
Well enough already. I hope you don't mind my intrusion into your life again. I hope your writing is going well. I still look forward to reading more from you some day. I also hope that some of your father's yet unreleased works see the light of day in the future too.
Yours-
Greg Boone