Thank G-d

Last Thursday was a hard day for me. In the morning, I found out that an aquaintance of mine was going through treatment for breast cancer. She is in her mid-late twenties with 2 little kids. I spent a good part of the day crying. I would love to say that it was selfless - that I was thinking of her, her husband, their kids - and that was making me cry. That was definitely part of it. But if I was honest with myself, that wasn't the MAIN part.

I was crying because I felt like I was back to last year when J was diagnosed with Hodgkins. We are now standing on the other side -- looking back at a really hard year and SO grateful for all that we have and all the goodness that we saw in others over the course of the year. He has been "all-clear" since February, and hopefully he will stay that way. But I wasn't crying over the diagnosis. I was crying over the process. How draining the entire experience is - and who am I? I am only the support-system! Imagine how much more difficult it is for the patient! I was amazed at how quickly I could be pulled back, and how helpless I could feel. I only hope that I can be as helpful and thoughtful to this family as people were to us.

In this time leading up to Rosh Hashana, I hope that all those who supported us know that it was their help that made it possible to get through hard days. Some friendships formed at that hard time because people got past their own fears of what to say or do. They just talked and did. It made it easier for us that everything was out in the open and up for discussion. Sometimes when people don't know what to say, they don't say anything and they just mourn. Those who get past that initial fear can see the joy and appreciation you learn when you realize how fragile life is.

Volusion not a friend to their longtime supporters

Good news for all you Volusion users! Increased bandwidth for those who have been with Volusion for a long time.

They just implemented a new pricing structure and have kindly given us loyal supporters additional bandwidth to say "Thank You!". I have been with them since the launch of my online store in 2007. I called to downgrade my plan as I refocus my business. While on the phone with a super-nice customer service agent, he lets me know that I will have to approve the change to the plan structures by e-mail. My current plan allows for 1000 products and 5 GB of bandwidth. They increased my bandwidth to 10GB just because they love me. Oddly enough, new subscribers who sign on with the plan at the same price that I am paying per month will now get 5000 products and 15 GB of bandwidth!!!

I let the very nice CSR know that he should let the "powers that be" know that they should up their current users to the new plans automatically, and he said that most people are just happy for an increase in bandwidth. Well, if they like getting 10GB, imagine how freaking happy they will be to know that they can get 15GB for the same price!!!

The truth is, I'm downgrading. I don't even need the extra products or bandwidth. I just don't think it's the way to go for a company that is on it's way up. I'm a big fan of showing appreciation to the customers that you already have. They are the ones who got you to where you are now... Shouldn't you thank them instead of treating them like sh**?

Just sayin'.

Paying it Forward

I had a wonderful opportunity to pay it forward today.

2 families in our area had babies this week, and I had the opportunity to make them meals. When J was in treatment last year, we had so many people take time and bring us meals to help us get through. There were so many days when I couldn't plan ahead - my brain just wasn't functioning that way. Dinnertime would come and I would be stumped. In the beginning, people helped with so many meals that I rarely had to think about cooking. It helped get me to the next stage. Once I was able to function a bit, some very special people took it upon themselves to organize meals for days when J had treatment. I don't think I could ever properly thank them, but if they are reading this they should just know that they helped me keep my sanity. Every single meal was so appreciated and thoughtful. I am grateful to each person who was so kind to offer.

I was asked to prepare meals. Thank you for asking me. Thank you for allowing me to help give to these families what so many people gave to me.

Thank you.