Good morning. I have often referred to the “doors” our family has ventured through in this world of breast cancer. This morning, as I started my day, lighting off my IPOD and the first song to “start” my day was “The End” by The Doors which got me thinking about the opportunities behind the doors we’ve swung open. The musical group “The Doors” chose their name from a 1954 book written by Aldous Huxley entitled The Doors of Perception which details his experiences of an afternoon with recreational drugs. Huxley’s book actually takes its title from William Blake’s poem “The Marriage of Heaven and Hell”. Neither of these titles have been held in my hand and consumed through reading, though I have listened to the poetic verses of The Doors since the mid ‘70’s and continue to do so today. The doors of perception we continue to open in today’s world, created by breast cancer, have normally been the types which pivot on a swivel like those between a kitchen and the serving area of a restaurant. You just never hear the door slam behind you and it’s not until now, this very moment, have I realized this. Since walking through the door at Calico Corners in Greenbrae, CA the perception turns to one of reality as it relates to breast cancer and the total support of the women and men affected by the disease. I received a phone call from a Calico Corners rep yesterday requesting my permission for this national chain to repost my blog on their pages. The perception, when this journey began, reflects the title of this blog “Adopting a Reputation”.  Turns out we all have something to say on the subject and as I reminded a member of Bonnie’s family early on, the words must and can only be encouraging. While meeting with Cindi this past Sunday at the location of the Men’s Support Group in Santa Rosa, CA, I recognized the door to the sitting room where the sessions will take place as the standard type, where privacy can be invoked by the simple act of closing it on its’ hinge. This act of privacy for these men will be fact and not perception and what I plan to offer these gentlemen who are just starting to learn about that chair in the waiting room is not only an open door for me, but for the men and the lives they are connected to. The one question remaining is how will I be perceived as the facilitator? My personality, as many of you can attest, is no holds barred. Speak the truth, be open, and let it ride. The photo of my father, here in my office, just above the IPOD invokes this very attribute. I say hello to him three or four times a day and it’s nice to know he’s watching. Of course it was he who taught me to always hold the door for someone.

A morning ramble with my apologies, I realize you have your own lives to attend to, and I do appreciate the support each of you have provided this blog by reading, by commenting, and sharing as one of Bonnie’s Boosters.

Someone’s at the door, I’ve got to run.

 Peace,

Papa

(Visited 5 times, 1 visits today)