Ruth and Monsignor Luca at St. Louis Church, Clarksville, MD

Welcome to May!

Spring is solidly here, with the hot, hazy days of summer soon to follow. I am just back from a whirlwind trip to the D.C. area, including a fabulous performance at St. Louis Church in Clarksville, MD, where I enjoyed a warm welcome from the parish, and a special presentation from Monsignor Luca, who is a fellow cancer survivor.

As the month continues to unfold, I anticipate the pleasure of live music (Davis Kidd this Friday night!) and tackling a long awaited home improvement project (tearing out the linoleum in our kitchen) and rescuing my flower beds. I am also preparing for my first women's retreat program since my diagnosis, at the Westhaven Residents' Club in June.

Life is rich and full of promise, and I am excited to get out of bed every morning, grateful to live the day in front of me.
Are you?

The Music Of Life is available online at www.ruthmcginnis.com www.cdbaby.com www.amazon.com or pick it up at these local retailers:   Davis Kidd Booksellers at the Green Hills Mall   Borders Bookstores All Nashville area locations: West End, Brentwood and Coolsprings    St. Mary's Bookstore on West End Avenue   Belle Meade Drugstore White Bridge Road, across from Target   Logos Bookstore in Green Hills   The Shoppe for Simple Pleasures 810 NW Broad St. in Murfreesboro   Tennessee Memories Bandywood Plaza   The Produce Place on Murphy Road

"Celebrating the Imperfect Life" Presentation

Westhaven Residents' Club 

Saturday, June16th

10:00am - 4:00pm

**See Below for more details

Do you love your life?

How long has it been since you

woke up in the morning,

excited to live the day in front of you?

Imagine how good you would feel

in every area,

if you were joyfully connected

with your authentic life.

Join Ruth McGinnis as she presents

  "Celebrating the Imperfect Life"

Saturday, June 16th 

10:00am - 4:00pm

at the Westhaven Community Residents' Club

Cost: $100 (includes lunch)

Contact: Stephanie Dematos at 615-791-6740

Open to women of all ages!

Registration deadline is June 1st 

Combining the message of her  books, Living the Good Life, and

Breathing Freely; Celebrating the Imperfect Life, Ruth will motivate you

to live a healthier  and more balanced life. 

Accompanied by Karin Simmons, Ruth weaves music, inspirational stories,

and practical advice into a  physically, emotionally and

spiritually enriching experience that will inspire you to:

The Music Of Life:

Journal Entries of a Cancer Survivor

This past weekend, my husband and I enjoyed our first trip out of town since my diagnosis, visiting some dear friends who live near Washington, D.C. This is a tradition we've kept for many years, spending a few days exploring Civil War battle fields, sharing long, luxurious meals, and especially fulfilling for me, collaborating with our host to play music at St. Louis Church. Several times over the weekend, I had the strange feeling of a cog slipping in time, because this trip seemed so normal, so much as I had remembered from past visits. Except for the reminder of my short hair, you'd never know my season with cancer had ever happened.

At times like these, the sensation of tearful gratitude for the gift of my still being here, washes over me like a sudden rain. As I continue to grapple with the emotional fallout experienced by every cancer survivor, I have become more aware of the miracle of my healing. I have only just begun to process the fact that cancer treatment doesn't always go so well. This weekend, connecting with people who'd prayed for me from a distance, reminded me how many were worried I might not live. It reminded me that cancer has changed not just my life, but deeply affected the lives of others.

A dear friend recently told me that my new view of life - living each day as though I have four months, four years or forty - changed her morning prayer. She begins now by thanking God for the gift of another day. It took 49 years of living and the diagnosis of cancer for me to fully embrace this gift in my own life. It is incredibly sweet to know that my season with cancer has given this gift to others.