r|breathe: today is a good day

i received the below note from a dear friend yesterday.

she & i have known each other since ~ 1992, when i was in corporate america in SD. since her leaving SD in 1994-ish, we've kept in touch on/off, although admittedly more off. however, each and every time we have reconnected (and she has often beat me to the punch), time catches up with us in the best way ever and conversations are great. and just yesterday, we were laughing about our finding pictures from '94 and how the looks we were sporting back then (e.g., clothes, shoes) actually appear to be a bit back in style ... or at least some of the current fashion draws (or has drawn) off of some '90s-ish moments.

the last time i physically saw her was several years ago. she was resting after a round of chemo. i flew up to see her in the NW. the "treat" of the day? we went to outback so she could have a few blossoms from the infamous onion blossom that the outback restaurant has. crazy, eh?!

well, we have texted and talked mostly through the years - very on/off. and lately, a bit more on. and yesterday, a post from her on-line journal ...

Today is

10/10/08 12:29 AM

Today is a good day. I try to remember to say these words everyday. Some days it's a little easier than others. Yesterday I didn't say it, the day before was very difficult and the day before that, even worse.

Over the past week I learned that perhaps the mass recently identified within my heart may be cancerous. I have cried, prayed, sang, screamed (inside) and cried and prayed some more. Dear Lord, please don't let it be as bad as it appears......

Even with all this madness, I've learned something. I have learned that today is still a good day, yesterday was a good day too as was the day before that also. A good day consists of waking up, having loving, supportive family and friends, and surrendering to God. I have that and so much more.

What's next? More tests and exams to come and so so many unknowns but guess what, today is still a good day.

Bless you,
Iris

... and for this, i remember that it is good to be mindful that today is a good day ... i am fortunate to have iris in my life, and i'm sure that for the lives of others who have had the pleasure of having iris in their lives directly or even indirectly ... their todays are good days.