By Judith Ashley, author of The Sacred Women’s
Circle Series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual practices that nourish
the soul and celebrates the path from relationship to romance.
I remember very clearly the first time I had a mammogram
– I was 50 years old. My very best friend had said if I didn't make the
appointment myself, she’d make it for me and see that I went.
Embarrassing!
So I made the appointment and went and my life
changed with a few words from the technician. “There is a suspicious area and
the doctor wants you to have an ultra sound.”
I’m very fortunate because the two lumps that
were found were not cancerous – one was precancerous and the other benign. The
lumps were removed, I was checked every three months and then every six months
and all was well.
In March 2013 my routine mammogram was clear.
In April 2013 I felt two lumps in my left breast – of course on a Friday night!
I was already envisioning parts of Ashley’s story at that time. I promised
myself I’d remember how I felt, what I thought, how I dealt with knowing I had
two lumps but also had over 48 hours before I could make an appointment.
And then I didn't. Didn't remember any of it
other than that it happened and I was frightened. I wasn't in denial. I was in
a protection mode. If I could put it aside until Monday when I could call and
make an appointment for another mammogram it would be better than stewing,
fretting, worrying about what was to come.
Did I tell anyone?
No, because that would mean acknowledging the
reality and having it front and center. I spent the entire weekend staying busy
distracting myself from the lumps – although I remember surreptitiously
checking to see if they were still there. Of course they were!
Again, I’m very fortunate that the two lumps
were not cancer.
How does this play into this book? I know from
first-hand experience that we do not always do what is “reasonable” when under
duress.
As I was editing Ashley and contemplating a
suggestion my editor, Kelly Schaub made, I also realized we can also forget our
own part in our healing process. At this point in the story, Ashley was no
longer using her spiritual practice to support her as she battled the cancer
and the devastating effects of the treatment. Not only had Ashley forgotten the
healing power of spiritual practices, so had her circle sisters.
What was my lesson from this? I've spent the
majority of 2013 battling respiratory problems that started as allergies and
developed into asthma. As I was writing a scene to show the shift to her being
more pro-active in her healing process, I was struck with the truth- neither was I using my personal totem to support my own healing.
Finished with the scene, off I went to find a
snowy owl. Not that I don’t already have them around me, but I did not have one
in my writing space nor close to my bed or in my car.
That has all changed.
Ashley
Ann Carlyle Kenner, a stay-at-home mom, finds herself and her three children
abandoned by her husband as she fights for her life in a second battle with
breast cancer. When circumstances force Ashley to rely on Daniel, she must face
the reality he means more to her than just a father-figure for her children.
Daniel
Charles O’Donnell fell in love with the Kenner children but kept hands off
their mother – she was married and he doesn’t poach. He protects his heart by
being a part-time friend to the children. When he is given temporary
guardianship of the children, part-time is no longer an option and he must face
the demons from an old tragedy.
Dragon
and damselflies, Ashley’s power animal, guide her through the dark days as she
struggles to win the war against the cancer. How can the flickering light of
her dragonflies show her she is worthy of unconditional love and illuminate the
path to her soul mate?
My goals are that readers of The Sacred Women’s
Circle novels find a spiritual practice that “speaks” to them, that they see a
different way through a difficult time in their lives, that they are inspired
to search for their soul mate, that they know with a certainty there is always a
path to unconditional love.
Ashley
is available here.
You can also visit my website and learn more about
The Sacred Women’s Circle series.
© Copyright 2014 Judith Ashley
