It has been months since I have blogged, my apologies. Returning from our book tour in Japan has left me with months to ponder the experience and recover physically and mentally. It was truly a trip of a lifetime and has opened up so many doors for building bridges and community with the transplant and CF patients in Japan. I left Japan exhausted but fulfilled. Our tour went exceedingly well and I felt so blessed that my health withstood the demands of the trip. I feel so fortunate to have so many valuable memories documented on video, photo and podcast, thanks to our amazing documentary film crew. We are so honored that so many people supported our trip and made it possible; I can’t thank all of you enough.

Sadly, I had to return to work the day after coming back from Japan and have dived right back into life. I returned to a cold autumn in the Bay Area, a house in chaos, a wedding to plan and a social life and fiancé yearning for attention. All the sudden, I turn around and it was wintertime! Where does the time go? Hence, my blogging silence.

As fall and winter approached, I found myself addicted to hand sanitizer, dodging viruses and H1N1 and praying for an infection free season. Sadly, exposures to life, be it dining out, Isa’s bagpipe concert or work, has left me with a head cold. Luckily I was tested and it is not RSV or parainfluenza, which requires hospitalization for lung transplant recipients. This time, I will not panic about this cold; this time, I will believe that my immune system will withstand this challenge and will not overreact and backfire on my lungs. The season of paranoia and fear is upon me.

But the gift of a head cold is that it allows me to mellow out a bit. I’m at home drinking tea and organizing my photo albums and holiday gifts.

As I reflect on my photos of the past year, I am so grateful for the opportunities and blessings I have received again. This was another year of travels, speaking engagements, new connections, and, of course, broader horizons with the Japan book tour. These opportunities continue to unfold due to the support and encouragement of people who sometimes believe in us more than we sometimes believe in ourselves. At the end of the day, I pray for humility and ask God why He has opened up these doors for us when there are so many other people with compelling stories out there. On Thanksgiving Day, I watched CNN’s show Heroes (http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/), in which 900 Americans who do amazing acts of service to help others are nominated and 10 are chosen as the most inspiring. Hearing each person’s story was truly amazing and showed me that so many people are making this world a better place in a large scale. It is those people who I applaud and who bring me humility and questioning of my own place in this world.   I am grateful for what has unfolded with the Power of Two this year, even though I still firmly believe that what we are “doing” is no more than what has been possible because of the Grace of others.  Whatever happens in 2010 with our film, website, our mission, I accept and just ride with what doors open up for Isa and me.  Of course I face the next year with some realism that I just have to keep my head above water and make sure health comes first. 

From the bottom of my heart I thank each and every one of our generous supporters. I only hope everyone knows that this project is not about Isa and Ana (big woop), but rather, this project is about helping a group of unheard quiet voices in the Pacific, who have just as much right to live and live well as we do.

Just yesterday, I posted an online petition that I am requesting readers of this blog to consider signing. This petition is from the Committee to Enable CF Treatment in Japan. The petition is to request the Japanese government to improve cystic fibrosis care in Japan . If you are compassionate about this cause, please consider signing and sharing this link with your friends and family:   http://www.PetitionOnline.com/cf2010/petition.html

I recognize that there are people who we have lost this year in the transplant and CF world, making the holidays a particularly difficult time of year. There are people who are hospitalized as we speak, struggling with health challenges. Of course with the recession, there are probably many people in hard economic situations facing the social pressures to Christmas shop with desperation. My thoughts are with everyone facing challenges from which the holidays are not immune. I hope all this “Merry Christmas” cheer doesn’t make things harder for them as it sometimes can.  To me, Christmastime, is not about shopping sprees, crowded germ exposing parties, or competing with the neighbors for the gaudiest plastic decorations on my lawn. It is rather a time to reflect, hibernate, share love, and be grateful. It is a time of being with God, whether it is in church or within the heart. It is a time of walking the dog in the crisp cold night air, breathing deeply, enjoying family and friends and being grateful for another year of survival together.

I hope and pray that each of you faces the holidays virus free, with love around you, and with the goodness of what Christmas is all about within your heart.

Love, Ana Stenzel

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