cheers
[I’m still away shooting and getting caught in lightning storms, but I have been planning this post for a few months. I’m so happy to finally put it up!]
This is a day to celebrate. And even if it doesn’t directly affect you, why not do something… celebratory just for shits and giggles?
It all started with this little thing, A Taste of Yellow, in support of LiveSTRONG day. Barbara of Winos and Foodies has hosted this event for the past two years. I became vaguely aware of it last year from other food blogs I followed. There is a fog that sits in your mind for the duration of chemotherapy which folks refer to as “chemo brain” and so one evening while battling said chemo brain, I sat down and tried to puzzle out who this Barbara woman was and why was she hosting this food event. What was her connection to cancer? I was able to gather that Barbara had cancer.
sometimes it is the little things
I submitted a post between my treatment rounds which Barbara accepted ever so sweetly. She is such a lady. I mean that in the best sense of the word. She is classy. For me, seeking out other cancer patients for support groups just wasn’t my thing. Cancer is not my thing. But there are a few people I connected with, not because they had cancer, but because they had pretty kick-ass attitudes toward life. One day I asked Barbara if she wouldn’t mind telling me about her cancer. And she shared that with me. And we exchanged several frank, honest, and sincere emails across the globe. That’s when I discovered what an incredible woman Barbara is. That’s when I discovered what a tremendous friend she is.
all good things
My chemo finished. Then my radiation finished. Peach fuzz began to return to my head. Meanwhile, Barbara’s oncologist wanted her to undergo another stint of chemo – several months’ worth. Would it help? Hopefully, yes. She emailed me when she was well enough, always the gracious and dignified woman with a little snark on the side. It’s what we all love about her.
hand-dipped in *tempered* chocolate
Barbara gets it. She gets the bigger picture. I’ve cried more than once while reading her correspondences, her realistic yet touching thoughts typed through numb fingers. Brave. I told Jeremy last year if my cancer returned, I would not agree to chemo again. But I watch as Barbara emerges from a six-month string of chemo infusions – her third stint – and I think to myself, how could I not? She reminds me by example that the fight is worth it.
join us
Today, we are celebrating the end of Barbara’s chemotherapy. We toast her health, her beautiful person, her wit, the return of her tastebuds, her heart, her friendship, her inspiration, her loving family. A handful of other food bloggers around the world will be clinking champagne flutes for Barbara too. Keep your eyes peeled! Barbara, we love you. Jeremy and I wish you many good and healthy years with Bryan and the boys and all of those whose lives you have touched. To life, my friend. Break out the bubbles!
Be sure to visit the heartfelt and beautiful toasts of these wonderful bloggers:
Becks & Posh
Bron Marshall
The Cooking Adventures of Chef Paz
Tartelette
cheers, dearest barbara
July 11th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
What a beautiful and touching post. Cheers!
July 11th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
As a fellow cancer survivor, I will wholeheartedly toast to the end of Barbara’s chemotherapy. My 6-month stint was hell on earth, so I cannot even begin to imagine going through 3 separate rounds. Barbara is a champion, pure and simple. Best wishes!
July 11th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
OH, Jen. How nice. I’m going to go fetch a nice dram (I don’t do champagne) and toast Barbara and you and my dad and everyone who kicked cancer in the ass.
July 11th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Cheers to all of you! What a wonderful post–I do not have cancer, but so many around me do. I have thought this many times, but never said it. I hope that should I someday get ill, whether it be cancer or not, I can carry on with as much grace, fight and spirit that you have, Jen (and Barbara, too) Support is something I have always stumbled on–never really intending to find it, but, alas, there it was.
I will have to toast with my homemade Kombucha–in a quart jar, but I do have some berries in it!
July 11th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Let us hope that that the third time is the charm! Beautiful post and pictures, as always.
July 11th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
what a beautiful tribute to a strong and valiant woman. cheers barbara! keep fighting the good fight.
July 11th, 2009 at 7:20 pm
A wonderful way to celebrate! Cheers Barbara! What great news.
Kind regards,
Rosa
July 11th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Beautiful post, Jen! Thanks for sharing it and the “A Taste of Yellow” post with us again.
Congratulations, Barbara on kicking cancer’s ass!
July 11th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
Barbara and you are both gorgerous my friend. :) I admire your courage and honesty. Cheers to life!
July 12th, 2009 at 12:16 am
What a beautiful post and tribute! Cheers to you both! It is a beautiful day.
July 12th, 2009 at 3:03 am
[…] toast to Barbara and celebrating the end of her chemotherapy together with several others tonight, initiated by Jen. I’m keeping it real with a Kiwi Pinot Noir which we enjoyed with our simple Sunday supper of […]
July 12th, 2009 at 3:08 am
“clinky clinky” – beautiful post Jen , cheers to you! Cheers… to Barbara!
July 12th, 2009 at 6:47 am
Cheers to Barbara! What a beautiful post :)
July 12th, 2009 at 6:52 am
Cheers Barbara and of course to you Jen as well. You all are so inspiring!
July 12th, 2009 at 8:11 am
Wow! What a beautiful tribute to a courageous woman. I’m holding up my mint chocolate tea to you both.
July 12th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Beautiful and very touching post! Up untill today I had never heard of Barbara, untill I read the blog post from Tartelette and now yours… I will toast to Barbara too!
July 12th, 2009 at 10:05 am
[…] of Bron Marshall, Jen of Use Real Butter and Helen of Tartelette have planned a virtual "toast" to Barbara for her […]
July 12th, 2009 at 11:41 am
that was so nice of you. cheers to you as well.
July 12th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Definitely something to toast about. Cheers, Barbara!
Paz
July 12th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Cheers to you, too, Jen!
Paz
July 12th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Cancer survivor here also!. What a lovely post – touching. I am in the camp of you do what you have to and never give up. I did only three months of chemo and told myself I would do it again if I must.
Cheers to you and to Barbara!
July 12th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
What a lovely post and ode to your dear friend.
July 12th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Beautiful words, and beautiful pictures to go along with them :)
July 12th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Oh Jen such a beautiful post it bought tears to my eyes. We had a wonderful day yesterday – drinking champagne and lunching with some old friends visiting from NZ. (one who kicked cancer in the butt 10 years ago). The Veuve Cliquot tasted wonderful and really made up for not drinking these past 8 months. I’m saving the Cristal for a special dinner party I’m planning when the weather is warmer. Thank you for your kind words. I treasure our unique friendship. Cancer causes us so many hardships, but it also brings very special people into our lives. I’m glad you are in my life. Hugs to you and Jeremy and a pat for Kaweah.
July 12th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Cin Cin Barbara, here’s to health, life & happiness!
Jen – a beautiful post & tribute to an inspirational lady!
July 12th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Cheers to Barbara!
July 12th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
Congratulations to you and barbara. You are both totally awesome. An inspiration to us all.
On a similar note, I have a friend whose mom is going through chemo and my way to cheer people up is to bake, but she’s clearly not interested in food. Is there anything you think I could make that she could stomach? If you fancy sending me a 1 line email that would be great.
July 13th, 2009 at 12:01 am
This is such a meaningful post! Cheers to Barbara and good health to all! Remember. Tomorrow is always a better day!
I love the photo of the champagne flutes clinking! It is an awesome shot!
July 13th, 2009 at 7:30 am
Cheers to you both! You are admirable!
July 13th, 2009 at 8:47 am
Best wishes to you both, good friends and brave souls!
July 13th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Jen, that is such a loving and heartfelt tribute. Barbara must be one helluva broad, and I will be toasting to you both. When a girl asks me to drink liquor, I’m soooooo there.
And, of course, wishing that you both toast every year, from now on, cancer-free.
July 13th, 2009 at 10:14 am
I have just been to Helen’s and sent Barb an email – I’m so glad with the news, Jen!
July 13th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Just a perfect tribute to a wonderful lady! Everyone should have a little snark on the side :)
July 13th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
What a lovely post Jen. Congratulations Barbara and to you as well, of course! How wonderful that something so difficult brought you two together. Cheers!
July 14th, 2009 at 12:41 am
Beautiful post and toast my dear! Love strawberries and Champagne…and to add chocolate, well, that’s like the cherry on the cake!! Wonderful!
July 14th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Thank you everyone for the sweet words and sincere wishes for Barbara (and for me). You are all such supportive and wonderful readers. Extra hugs for everyone else who has kicked cancer to the curb. xxoo
Barbara – you deserve to have every day be wonderful. Just keep taking care of yourself. We are always here for you. *hugs*
Jenny – well, ginger helped me tremendously when I was undergoing chemo. If you can find ginger chews, those would be terrific. Ginger snaps or thin ginger cookies are also good. I ate saltines, jello, drank iced tea or hot tea or hot cocoa. Nothing tasted right at all :( Best of luck to your friend’s mother.
July 15th, 2009 at 5:02 am
Dear Jen – thank you for sharing your story, it’s such a beautiful tribute to Barbara.
July 15th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
Cheers to you, to Barbara, and to the rest of this amazing life.
~Laura
July 16th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Magnifique, fantastique, c’est beau et ça a l’air tellement bon!!! Des photos toujours superbes!
July 17th, 2009 at 6:33 am
What a lovely, lovely post. Here’s to you and Barbara and to all who have stared down this disease in the face – a meaningful and fruitful life is ahead.
July 18th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
What a lovely post. How fortunate your friends are to have you in their lives. Here’s to you and to Barbara.