The constant cards, flowers and gift flowing in are amazing! Everything is appreciated -- from the colors to the comestibles! Here you can see me accessing my blog -- I check frequently for new comments! Today I received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my friends at Mercy Corps (in the photo). Yesterday I received an amazing shawl from my cousin Peggy -- women from her church in Toledo, Ohio knit it for me and then blessed it together -- with a note reading "Be well, be warm, be loved, be comforted." I use it frequently! Patty and Bob Cotsen a six pints of ice-cream that I can't take a photo of because it is all almost gone!!!! My cousin Sarah sent DVDs which have been keeping us much amused -- from Sex in the City to the first season of Rome (fabulous!). My colleagues from the Embassy in Amman sent us a huge basket of artesinal cheeses -- goats cheeses, stilton, cheddar, manchego and much more! I can't tell you how much we enjoy it all -- and is nice to have something to share with the people who are taking such good care of me! Thank you, thank you!
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38 comments:
Mara, oh, we're so happy to hear from/about you! This too will be overcome, we just hope that your doctors, colleagues, and friends near & far can do everything we can to support you. This blog is your typically wonderful way to keep us all informed, you look great and in good spirits...sorry, no plans to be in your neighborhood anytime soon! ADTK
Hi Mara, great site. Thinking of you lots and looking forward to that dinner when you get back to Amman.
Much Love,
Simon (Taylor)
We both opened your email this morning with a little hesitation and trepidation. And then smiled when we saw you're taking on this challenge with the usual focus and determination which is just soooo you!
Thinking of you. Three little Dutch kisses and a big American hug!
Chris & Robbie
xx
Mara -- Thank you! Thank you, for keeping us updated through this great blog. As usual, you're thinking of your friends (and admirers) around the world. It takes a lot of courage to confront what is happening to you in such a straight-forward and optimistic fashion. (But heck, who's surprised? This is Mara we're talking about!) If someone's gonna get through this, it's you. Get well and come back soon. Amman is not the same without you. Jasmin sends her best and wishes you a speedy recovery.
Paul
Bob and I aren't particularlly computer literate and I can't spell but we're following your blog and send along our good wishes.You are making staying in touch so much easier.When I had radiation I said to myself all the poetry that we memorized at the Buffalo Sem. Who knew that would come in handy?
hi mara,
chris and i sent you a card today, just before getting the e-mail from you about the blog. being in bangladesh (i think, about as far away as we could get from nyc, apart perhaps from mongolia or turkmenistan) is a bit frustrating, we wish we were closer, but we are happy to see you are in such good hands. kristina and i will have a prosek for you in dubrovnik on tues!
thinking of you and sending you lots of love,
luke & chris
Darling Mara, it's been both awsome and shocking to hear from you! You are our best-loved brave girl, we are all so proud of you, dearest! Is there anything you'd like us to send you? If you think I can come and sit by your side and keep you company and take care when David is gone, I will gladly drop everything here and fly to you, just say the word! How are you feeling, my darling? Are you getting better in any way? Or you can't tell the difference yet? Do you want me to send you any pictures? Or stories? Or any Bg sweets, or ANYTHING? You know each one of us will do ANYTHING for you! I got in touch with Dimo and Tony, and they all send tons of love and kisses and all our prayers go your way, so you should be already feeling the effect:) I don't want to tire you, but will write you every day! We LOVE you so much and keep our fingers crossed for you, darling! Stay our hero! Lyudmil will have his premiere screening of "Shivachki" on 10 Oct. So far, all critics from preview screenings are excellent! Get well soon and take a long vacation to your second home and your second family! We are all expecting you! Love, love, love and hugs! Zlatna, Matti, Ludmil, Tony, Dimo, Kina, Ivan!
Maramara,
Hello from Pristina! So so happy to get your email with the blog - I've been taking 'Free Albin Kurti' pictures for you here - will send as soon as I get home. :) It is so good to hear your voice on the blog and to see you're maintaining your usual incredible spirits and keeping us all laughing! We've all been keeping track of everything going on however we can - let me know if you want any Balkan treats!
much love,
Judy
Mara,
This is such a great way to keep everyone up to date. It is great to see you, even virtually. We're thinking of you and sending you many healthy wishes. How wonderful to have Larry and Susan's apartment to recuperate in! Certainly the best spot in NY!
Love, Lewis and Sally
Oh my. Your email and your blog have left me speechless (and you know how uncharateristic that is!). All I can say is that your approach to life never ceases to amaze and inspire me, and I will send you a card this week. Please know that all the positive energy I can muster is with you!
Big hug and much love,
Helene
Mara,
As one who spent time with you all too briefly on the 2004 MC trip to Nicaragua and Guatemala, I share the confidence of all who love you that your unique strength and conviction will see you through yet another challenge. Strangely, just on 9/13 you sprang vividly to mind and now I read of that day in your life. Sending thoughts and prayers --
Fondest love and hugs,
Cindy
Dear Mara -- Greetings from Oakland, CA! Reading your beautiful blog and all the loving replies from your worldwide network of family and friends, I am reminded yet again of what an amazing person you are - not that I needed to be reminded! Thank you so much for keeping us in the loop with news and photos -- as others wrote, you look beautiful and seeing you and hearing your voice -- which comes through loud and clear via your smart, touching and spirited blog! -- brings us great joy. We are thinking of you all the time... and sending you lots of good energy and love. I'm still figuring out the G-d thing, but I do pray and you were big in my Rosh Hashanah prayers. Marc's too. I'm hoping that we'll get to see you the new year...I am so glad we are in virtual contact -- not as satisfying as an in-person hug but still rich thanks to your gift for communication and connection. Lots of love and hugs from all of us -- Eden, Marc, Jeremy, and Talia Bruner
p.s. Loved the photos from your travels, too. Looking forward to sharing many, many more stories with you...through travels, travails and triumphs.
Mara - THANKS for taking the time to set this up. What a brilliant idea. We appreciate the updates...keep them coming and know that you have a huge team of folks down here in DC thinking of you....hoping David and I can make it up to NY soon. In the meantime, send us your address in NY....
love,
jules
Hi Mara,
I am heartbroken to hear your news. You have been through so much already! But your unbelievable spirit and energy will carry you through, as always. Your interest and willingness to share your story with friends all over the world will help all of us to present a united front of support for you. Any chance you will be seeing your old docs on the west coast? We would love to see you! We are holding you dearly in our thoughts and prayers.
Kim, Lloyd and Liam
Dear Mara, So glad to hear from you and actually SEE your beautiful face. This blog is a great gift from you to all of us who care so much about you. We are thinking of you always.
POWER ON!! Much love, Karen
HI
Mara,Thanks for updating us. We here in Vancouver, WA will be praying for your restoration of health. Got to see some of the friends last Sunday and missed you being there. You are in my nightly prayers. Love, Judy Herkert
Dearest Mara,
can't stop thinking about you since I read your message this morning. Thanks for including so many of us in the big Mara family. I know you have the spirit and strength to get through this. Love from Kiara and me, and end of the week about 50 TRANSFUSErs will be sending you Balkan energy from Berlin to New York!
Huge hug,
Sandra
Mara, darling, how are you today, my dear? Is it getting better in any way - we certainly hope so and pray for you!
Have a healing day and I'll talk to you soon!
XXXXXXX
Zlatna
Dear Mara,
Thanks for letting us share in this and be there for you. As always, your indomitable spirit is truly an inspiration.
Love and hugs from Amsterdam,
Jill and the EWPPP team
Our very dear Mara, you are magnificent. Know that you're in our hearts and minds constantly, and that we are sending all our healing thoughts to you at SK--from here at the pond, and (in a few days) from L.A. You know that the strands in your support web are woven all around the world.
Hi Mara:
I sure wish we could be there in NY with you. A big hug from us to you. Our prayers are with you. Thanks for creating the blog and sharing your life and thoughts. It is so wonderful to see your smiling face, your partner and friends.
Steve C.
Mara, You are - once again - such an inspiration! We are so glad to hear that you are harnessing all of the love and good karma coming your way from your global fan club to meet this challenge head on, and it's not surprising that you are doing it with your usual style and courage. Thinking of you and hoping to see you, and finally meet David, while you are both in NYC. Much love, Eden Steven Hayley and Will
Mara you are amazing. You are in my thoughts and Kathryn is constantly sending you long distance Reiki from DC!
Mara, dear!
I'm leaving NYC tomorrow and would love to see you for a few minutes if you're up to it (you don't have to talk!) to personally convey the love and hugs I'm bringing from Elaine, Eden, etc.
If it doesn't work, thank you for keeping us all up to date on your progress. Love, L.
I forgot to send hugs and more love from Lily, Gadi and Dani in Berlin. As soon as I give them your address, they'll certainly write to the blog.
Leah, again
Drasti Amiga, The blog is beautiful and inspiring, as are you. I am only 75 miles north of Manhatten, so I am ready to visit you whenever you are ready for visitors. Regards to David. Lots of love, Marc
Hello dear Mara,
It is so good to hear from you... and see how bravely you face this challenge (another one!).
We wish you all the strength and love in this world to overcome this.
Sei ganz lieb umarmt von
Gudrun und Rodrigo
Mara, Mara,
You are so incredible - so honest, so upbeat, and understanding that your friends all want to hear from you and hear about you. I'm so glad I got to see you and David last spring in Jordan - where, by the way, you looked so radiant and beautiful. My 18 year old daughter, Farrell, who you know just arrived in Jordan for an internship with MC. So she just missed you.
Much love,
Linda
Mara,
This blog is such a wonderful way to connect the beautiful, loving community that surrounds and upholds you. I loved seeing the pictures of you, and how grand to learn of there being a David in your life. We're all sending you strength and healing.
Pam Osborne
Mara,
It is so, so wonderful to get to see the photos. I am checking in every day because it makes me feel closer to you. I am also having pretty much continuous conversations with you in my head (probably a good thing I'm not there in person or you would find me way too chatty!).
In my family we light candles at mealtimes for friends and family who are going through tough times - so know there is a candle burning for you every time Nick and I sit down to dinner right now. And Nick says he is having a glass of wine (or two) for you too to show his support!
Hugs, Anna
Dearest Mara and David,
Thank you for letting me in on this blog. It feels as if I am with you again and reading those brave inspirational words and seeing that smile on the pictures makes me feel soo happy. I am glad that your famous optimism, upbeat look at life in general and strenght are every bit present as ever which is fantabulous. I am sending all the positive waves I can gather in my lap towards you. Not to mention love. Please send us your address. I did not have anything but the e-mail until today. LOOOOOVE (my famous exhagerating and augmenting everything = but this one is true). Katarina and Fedja
Hi Mara, Esme Culver (widow of Ells Culver, Mercy Corps) here, now at Grace Memorial alongside your Dad and Deb and loving getting to know them. Loving getting to know you too, and think your blog is great way to keep connected. All at Grace have you covered in prayer, just like that cozy shawl in your pics. Blessings,
Esme
Dear Mara,
How we missed you so much at the reunion in Lake Tahoe in June - we sent many thoughts, and lots of love your way. Ann has been keeping me updated on all that you have been through since I last saw you. I am so glad that she was able to go spend that time with you in NY recently. You are an incredibly strong, courages and positive person, Mara. I admire your passion for life. I am amazed at your energy to do this blog - what a wonderful way to keep people connected. May this next hurdle go as smoothly as possible for you. con mucho amore, Rachel Dummigan
QUERIDA AMIGA MARA ESTOY PIDIENDO A DIOS MUCHO POR TU SALUD Y TODOS LOS PIÑAS TAMBIEN HAY MUCHOS PIÑAS NUEVOS EN LA FAMILIA OJALA PUDIERAS VENIR A VISITARNOS QUEREMOS VERTE MIS HIJOS QUIEREN CONOCERTE TONI JR TIENE 12 AÑOS AHORA Y LIZZIE TIENE 10 AÑOS YO TENGO 34 SIGO SOLTERO PERO TENGO NOVIA AMIGA........ DIOS PONE PRUEBAS DIFICILES A HIJOS QUE SON FUERTES Y TU ERES UNA MUY FUERTE ANIMOOO CON AMOR....... ANTONIO PIÑA
MARA SI ESTAS EN NEW YORK TODAVIA DAME TU NUMERO DE TELEFONO PARA LLAMARTE
dear mara
we were hopping to see you in Jerusalem and then we got your mail.thank you so much for sharing with us everything we feel that we are there with you .you are a strong and courageous person and we think of you all the time and plan to have you here in Jerusalem on Seder night again .
love menahem an arnona
So I'm standing in the check-out line at a store in Burlington and our very well known former mayor starts yelling at me from two registers over about how great my cousin Mara is, and what great work she is doing, and what an amazing person she is, and on and on and on. Of course, I knew this already but now the 20 other people waiting in line with us know as well.
Mara, Debbie and I send our love and strength. Hope we can see you soon.
Jeff
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