Writing time, Family time.

I am spending nearly all of my time, writing. Writing down phrases every few hours, just like in "the old days/daze" (that would be when poetry first began pounding in my head). I'm in the midst of: *Finally editing "Kudzu Kreatures", a children's book I wrote over 15 years ago; I need to find an illustrator, though I'm told the publisher can do that, for me... *Editing "Words From Water", a collection of poetry which has finally morphed into the shape I longed for... *Writing "The Taste of Shapes", a play/possible screenplay about a young woman with synesthesia; three characters have shown up, so far: Claire, the young (any race) woman with a secret; Mr. "Joe" Kim, the kindly old Korean piano teacher, and Nouwen, a young African-American/mixed-race girl, a glass-blower who bonds with Claire... *Writing new poems I have, once again, the "Luxury of Thought", --that's what I used to call having the time to read, write, revise, analyze...back when I enrolled in philosophy classes under the auspices of "The Invisible College", though an Emory University Doctoral candidate named Greg Johnson (and later, two other Doctoral students); it was a "luxury" to me, because I'd always had to work two or three jobs to pay bills, such that bill-paying very nearly became my occupation, rather than acting, or writing.... With both parents very ill for several months now, and caregiving responsibilities having been, at times, overwhelming, I am keenly grateful to my sister, Tina, who at this moment, is celebrating her birthday, with our Mom--Demetra Allender-- in Florida, even as she-Tina--lifts our beloved Mom up with her own, lively, physically-engaging brand of caregiving. I was fortunate to be in Florida with Tina and Mom at their home, shortly after Mom's diagnosis in May, and then remained there for nearly three weeks, when Mom and I headed up here on May 29th, to ready her for Cancer Treatment Centers of America, and what Mom wanted: "the most aggressive treatment" for her cancer.... I got to keep Mom for nearly 14 weeks--a little over three months of mostly doctor appointments, radiation (everyday, Monday though Friday), and once-a-week Chemo, as well as acupuncture, physical therapy, naturopathy, nutrition, physical therapy, and general "Quality of Life Clinic" visits... Soon, I'll have Mom here again, to follow-up with her doctors....and also, to celebrate Halloween, my birthday, and if she'll stay put up here--Thanksgiving, too. I'm in a very grateful place: grateful for the kind, talented folks who commented on my set of poems which I read at Decatur Book Festival; grateful for the editor of a fabulous journal, who asked me to "submit as many poems as you like, Lisa..."; very grateful for my little sister--Tina-- who is doing the good deeds of daughter-dom, and sister-dom, in being there for Mom, and for me. Poetry rocks, and so does my sister, who focuses her eyes on our Mom, and gets to the work that is caregiving. I promise not to squander any time I have, right now, Tina. We're both--she and I--committed to making the most of our collective time--with our Mom.... Here's to writing. And family. And time, for both.... Peace, kids.