In response to the November 2009 letter from the editor on “the little things” and pregnancy:
One time in high school I gave a speech titled “Little Things,” which was about being grateful for all the many little things we do have in life. I’m very happy for you. It’s a little-big joy!
— Ellen Mahoney, of Boulder

First, as the secretary of Share-A-Gift, I would like to thank you for including us in “The Gift of Giving” in the December edition of Women’s Magazine. I’m not sure you know just how close our philosophies are regarding recycling and reusing items!

Share-A-Gift not only accepts new toys and books (and cash, whether used or new!), we also accept gently used toys. In October and November, we conduct “bicycle round-ups” at local middle schools to collect out-grown bikes.

In December, after a local Girl Scout troop cleans the bikes, bicycle mechanics from nearly all the shops in Boulder spend an evening fixing them up. Then, at the annual Toy Shop, parents can shop for their children. For each child, they may choose a new toy or bicycle, as well as a used toy or piece of sporting equipment, a used game or puzzle, and stuffed animals. Not only do children have toys for the holidays, but financial stress is reduced in the family environment, hopefully curtailing domestic violence. Thanks for the coverage!

Second, I’d like to thank you for your well-written and witty column (“Boulder and the Beautiful”). I never imagined that I would actually seek out a fashion-oriented essay. Thanks for providing entertaining, but surprising insightful, articles that are also grammatically correct! And thank you again for urging your readers to support Share-A-gift!
— Trude Kleess, of Boulder   

Correction:
Due to a math error, the “One in a million: How the little things add up big for one local photographer” story about Peggy Dyer in the November 2009 issue of Women’s Magazine contained an error. To reach her goal of shooting 1 million faces, Dyer would have to photograph 91 faces every day for 30 years or 2,740 faces every day for one year.

To know or not to know: fate with breast cancer
I just wanted you to know that I enjoyed your article in September (“The Future Could be Beautiful,” by Leah Charney, on breast cancer). As one of the longest living people with my disease, I appreciate hearing about other women’s challenges and how they overcome them. Thank you for sharing.
— Kitty L. deKieffer, of Boulder

I appreciate the openness, honest and the vulnerably you shared in your recent article (“The Future Could be Beautiful,” by Charney). Thank you. I was deeply moved. Thank you.
One of the greatest gifts you offered is the invitation for women to look with Awareness at what we fear about our body, how we may be identifying with the body/breasts, how secure we feel as women with or without our breasts, etc.

Whether male or female, each of us has much to offer the world. It is our Spirit, our creativity, our Love, our Light, and all that we allow of our True Nature to shine that gifts the world.

In the last year, I have seen a remarkable increase in women with breast cancer. Some have had the BRCA gene and discovered it after they started on the cancer journey. As you witness your mother discover more of who she is when the cancer returned for her, I have also witnessed amazing women here in Boulder cope with and rise above their diagnosis, becoming stronger and more committed to life, to fulfilling their purpose, to loving and appreciating each moment of life.

For me that last paragraph of your article says it all: that being afraid of the test is a waste of time. Absolutely! It’s disempowering. You don’t need to have the test to let go of the fear. You can choose to have the test or not have it — however it is absolutely of utmost importance to let go of fear.

There is a saying, “Fear it, appear it.” We attract what we hold in mind, and our fears hang in our field. Our thoughts, our feelings, our beliefs — through chemical reactions — can suppress a gene or even activate a gene. That is why our thoughts, feelings, fears, etc. are what shapes our life experiences.
— Cynthia Whipple, of Boulder

Got something to say? Send e-mails to speakup@womensmag.com.

Hello Women’s Magazine,

I love your magazine! Easy to read, great articles and lots o’ fun. Much easier to dive into, enjoy and digest than “O Magazine” even!

— Susann Taylor Shier, Boulder

Just more tootin’ of our horn

Just a note to say thank you for the great magazine you produce. Love the articles on the women who embody the elements (cover story by Bridget Cassidy, June 2009).

I’ve lived in Boulder for more than 30 years and have watched it grow. And as I have started a new business in the past year as a distributor for Orenda International, I am reaching out into the community in a new fashion, as art has been my way of life thus far. I am learning a greater appreciation for the business and networking world.

So thanks again for all your efforts!

— Catherine Bodin, of Boulder

What is independence?

I used to think that being independent was about not needing anyone to take care of me. Not asking for help. Not owing anyone anything. Not being weak.

Part of that being my upbringing, part of that being young and invinsible, part of that being stubborn. Through my relationship with my Beloved, growing, time, experience and desire to learn more about healthy independence and connection, I continue to experience that there is a balance. That asking for and accepting help is not a sign of weakness and a lack of being independent. That feeling deeply connected to another does not diminish my strength and independence. That feeling joyful about my ability to embrace my independence does not need to come from being disconnected.

I can be connected and independent. I can be self-sufficient and yeilding. Sometimes at the same time, and sometimes moving in and out of those energies. Alternating and dancing between them. With them.
We invite you to play with how you perceive independence and connection. Feel what it is like to stretch your comfort zone and inate balance. Play with the dance. Perhaps at different speeds and musical styles. Ask for help; and accept it. Allow yourself to feel deeply connected and celebrate your ability to provide for yourself. Merge and separate with curiosity and love. Discover where you hold yourself back from love for the sake of being strong and independent. Just notice. Maybe try something different the next time.
Yes, you can try this at home.

— Dawn Beck, of Boulder