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In order to have great happiness, you have to have great pain, and unhappiness-- otherwise how would you know when you're happy?

Leslie Caron

Sharon's Bio

I didn't call myself a writer until 2007, and it was my husband who named me one initially. Writing has been my passion since childhood, though I never dreamed of being able to publish anything until my 40s. I published on my own site and in a local paper, but had never written anything for pay until 2008. Now, it is a critical element of my job and it remains my passion.

I am a middle-aged, happily married woman. I have a teen age son and two step children in their 20s. My parents call me their "flower child", though my friends consider me relatively conservative. I live in Great Falls, VA with our menagerie of cats and dogs and neighboring wildlife. I vacation in New Mexico and Florida at every possible opportunity.

I was born in El Paso, Texas, but was raised just a few miles from where I live now from age 7 until I attended college at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, VA. I taught middle and high school English for a few years, moved to Okinawa, Japan for a few years during a short first marriage. I earned my M.Ed. in Counseling & Personnel Services from University of Maryland, then taught a few more years, then married my current husband.

I worked with Jeffrey for 12 years as co-owner of a remodeling company, and then I started myNeighborsNetwork.com in 2000. In 2003, I turned my hobby into a business and have been running it ever since.

I am an introvert, shy by nature. I love to read, knit, needlepoint, pet my cats, and of course, write.

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"Did I Get Any Mail Today?"

Our friend, Courtney Schilling, is back in the hospital . . .not planned. Her mother wrote me tonight saying, "Very unsettling KEEP UP THE PRAYERS from all, and the request for cards...the only thing she asked about today was "Did I get any mail?"

Please send Courtney a note, a card, something funny, to 12063 Summer Meadow Ct., Reston, VA 20194.

Courtney is suffering from small cell ovarian cancer. She is 24 years old.

Prior notes for those who don’t know Courtney:
Courtney Schilling is finally at home at least for a few days. She'll do out-patient physical therapy a few times a week but should be able to spend nights here at the house until Monday (Sept 28th, 2009) barring any complications.

Chemo happened last Tuesday (Sept. 14th, 2009) without any problems. It appears the chemo has at least stopped the growth of the latest tumor.

Courtney has also been suffering from lymphedema (due to the tumor) and her lgs have swelled significantly and she is unable to walk without the aide of a walker (and only for short distances at that). That's what the physical therapy is for right now.

Next chemo is this coming Tuesday (Sept. 29th, 2009). Hopefully, she will just have to do Monday night and Tuesday night in the hospital.

For those who want to help she loves, loves, loves getting cards in the mail even if they are from people who don't know her personally but know of her situation.

The family has given permission to publish their home address for this reason. Please address the cards to Courtney Schilling, 12063 Summer Meadow Lane, Reston, VA 20194.

Please forward this email to anyone you know who is willing to send a card Courtney’s way.

Background information on Courtney:

Courtney is a former employee of myNeighborsNetwork, working for us on her summer and holiday breaks while she attended the University of Virginia.

She is also Joe Schilling’s sister. Joe worked for myNeighborsNetwork for seven years, coming in just after we officially opened as a business in 2003.

June, 2009 - Courtney finished up her year of teaching at Forest Edge Elementary thinking she had a bad cold. On July 15th, 2009, Courtney had major surgery and was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer. She has been in and out of the hospital since.

Courtney is 24 years old. She is a University of Virginia graduate, is a Phi Mu (college sorority) alumna. She is shy around people she doesn’t know. She is funny and loves to laugh. She is a teacher.

Courtney and her family are also deeply religious (Catholic). They are asking for prayers, always.

And right now, Courtney (and her family) needs our help. She needs a few moments of laughter, love, support, kindness, and compassion from us.

Please send this email to anyone you know, especially if they are graduates of U.Va., if they are Phi Mu alumnae, if they are educators, if they pray or are prayer circle members, if they are 24, if they are cancer survivors, if they love to laugh, if they love the beach, if they are women, daughters, mothers, brothers, fathers, coaches, employers . . . .

Please address your cards to Courtney Schilling, 12063 Summer Meadow Lane, Reston, VA 20194.