Thanking My 'Lucky-Stars'...

     Serendipity is 'luck' that takes the form of finding valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for. As I write this, a small, bird, has landed directly on my windowsill, hovering there, for the briefest of moments, this, a thing I have NEVER witnessed in all the years I have been here, and, for all the, countless, hours, I have sat in this, precise, spot. Cool-beans! Over 25 years ago, I experienced a, 'life-altering' moment of a serendipitous, nature; one, which, by the 'Grace of God', allows me to be here, today. All those, years ago, for reasons unrelated to my health and well-being, I ventured to see a dermatologist. While in said, company, I asked for a full-body 'scan' to check-out the myriad of moles I have always, had all over my physical-person, NEVER thinking, for ONE moment, that, I would receive the news, that, I did. As the result of this, 'check-up', the practitioner discovered, two, 'questionable'-moles, that day, and so, he 'shaved' them off my body and sent them out for lab-analysis. Imagine my 'shock and horror' upon discovering that one was, indeed, a Melanoma. Thankfully, this was determined, early-on, and, so, after a surgery to remove it, completely, with follow-up blood work and lung-scans, I was declared 'cancer-free'. I do, however, need to keep-up with my annual, check-ups, and, avoid the sun, as much as possible. I am writing about this, today, as I know, that, many of you are 'sun-worshipers' and 'beach-bunnies', which is fine...just so long as you are taking pains to protect your skin. One, NEVER, honestly believes, that, 'it'll happen to him/her'; but...guess what...it CAN. I am so, very, grateful to have 'wound-up' in that, doctor's office, so many years ago, and, that, quite by accident, my cancer was caught. I have, recently, experienced ANOTHER, such, moment of good-fortune, not sought, in that I have found a 'spot' on my body, which, requires a professional-opinion. I would not have noticed this, 'benign' looking 'lump' had I not spoken with someone who has been diagnosed with this, 'precancerous' condition. Had I not become 'educated' through her exposing me to it, I would NOT have bothered to concern myself with this, 'innocent-looking' growth. I have made an appointment with my 'skin-doc', this, AM, as the result. Summer fun, in the sun, is a thing most look forward to; believe me...I know; for, years, ago, I 'baked, cooked, and, fried' myself so that I could reap the benefit of the sun and rock a most, perfect-tan. I never wore sun-block, as, we were not encouraged to do so. Besides, these, days, even it's contents are under scrutiny for containing, potential, 'cancer-causing' agents. So, one can, only, play it safe, be smart, and, attempt protecting one's-self however he or she can. Staying out of the sun, for hours on end, is a good place to begin. According to several, dermatologists, who I have seen, over the years, had that melanoma gone undetected, 25 years ago, well...I would not be sitting here, writing this, today. (Perhaps, some of you might, 'prefer' that! ) So, today, I am a BIG-fan of serendipity, and, the magnificent and marvelous 'miracle' it brought my way, both then...and, NOW! Thank you, Universe! Just Sayin'...