In our house summer weekends have become very predictable.  It is too hot to spend much time outside for long, so my husband and I run errands and exercise early, take naps in the afternoon, and watch too many movies on Netflix.  We have watched so many that we are now revisiting the 1980s.  Last weekend "Beetlejuice" was the highlight.  Hmmm.  Strangely, this goofy movie about ghosts who tried to be scary, but weren't, made me think.  In a demented way, "Beetlejuice" is a twisted "Alice through the Looking Glass." 

Lately, I have been grumbling about the oppressive heat, bemoaning and dreading the fact that our house needs painting, wishing for a vacation, and hoping my relatives do not call to ask for one more favor.  Then I realized what if all of that changed in a second like Geena Davis and Alex Baldwin in "Beetlejuice?"  What if I fell down a giant sinkhole in downtown Birmingham while the streets are being repaved and ended up in a world like Alice's?  I would miss my life with all of its warts and blisters.  That disgusting, belching Beetlejuice character slapped me into a reality check.  I need to count my blessings, even those pesky issues that sometimes do not seem like blessings. 

Yes, some mornings my back aches and I would rather not get out of bed for that 6 a.m. walk, but I do and I should.  I am reminded to be thankful for my health and to maintain it.  When I was in my mid-twenties I contracted a heavy duty case of flu and mono.  The doctor ordered two months of bed rest and allowed me to return to work slowly over the course of the next two months.  It was a lonely and difficult time.  I was single and living away from my family; just driving to the doctor's office once a week was a challenge.  The experience reminded me how precious good health is. 

There are diseases, such as ovarian cancer, we cannot control, but there are preventative measures we can take.  Regular doctor visits are a must.  Knowledge of your family health history is necessary to know your risks.  Knowing how your body feels and advocating for yourself is your right to good health.  Please learn the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer and share them with your loved ones.

Cheers to good health,

Kristin Martin

Executive Director