Temperature's Rising

Friends, my cardigans have been moved to the front of the closet.  They are so much easier to shuck off  quickly throughout the day.

Our down comforter has been banished to the end of the bed.

This is one of Big T's old dry-fit shirts and one of my new sleep shirts.  It is actually the best tip I have.  No more changing in the middle of the night.

I am wondering if anyone has tried these?  Are they better than Big T's old shirts?

My mom used to tell us sisters to pray to age gracefully....thanks to chemo and radiation, I am leading the charge...

Soulwork

 Big T and I zipped up to the cottage for the final electrical this weekend.  There was a lot of time in the car, the airport, the plane....perfect for finishing  some needlepoint.

Friends, lately my kitchen table has been covered with Needlepoint North.  This is the time of year when Kt and I are working to get our kits into production.

I am so excited about this exquisite  Trillium that Kt designed....all proceeds for this kit go to the Leelanau Conservancy.

I also love love love Kt's Christmas Freighters Ornament.  This little business is taking way more time than I ever thought it would, but we are having a blast thinking of ways to keep the peninsula needlepointing.  Now if only we could make a little money....   

33 Years

Big T sent these flowers to me today with a card saying "Happy Anniversary."  Friends, our wedding anniversary is July 2nd.  

But 33 years ago today, Big T  picked me up at Walsh Hall and took me on our first date.  He has been my best friend, my biggest cheerleader and my knight in shining armor.  Together we have laughed, we have cried, and we have endured.  It  hasn't always been a bed of roses, but it has been a glorious ride.

Trust the Hazmat Suit

I left these two snoozing yesterday while I volunteered at the infusion clinic.  As I was delivering snacks and drinks, I noticed a new patient receiving chemo for the first time.  Her husband gave me the look that said, "Please come over here and help."  The nurse was explaining why she wears the "hazmat suit" (my words, not her's).  The patient, horrified, replied, "And you are putting that in my body?"  If you have had chemo, you remember feeling this way....I know I do.  I remember my doctor sitting next to me as I received my first dose and telling me that chemo is bad "stuff", but it works.

We all have times in our lives when we just have to trust....trust our family, trust our doctor, trust the medicine, trust our gut, and above all, trust God.  The sun will come out tomorrow.  Have faith.  Godspeed.

New Year's Resolution Number 2

One of my best college buddies' wife has stage IV cancer.  Jenn has taught me many things as she valiantly lives...one of which is that smiling  makes you feel better.  

She actually practices smiling.

Charles Darwin first proposed this idea in 1872 and now, according to a recent article in Scientific America,  we have data to prove it.  So my second new year's resolution has been to smile more.  And my very unscientific study conducted over the last month has shown that when I smile, almost 100 percent of people smile back at me...and that definitely makes me feel better.   I am also hoping that somehow my cheesy grin distract them from my scary hair.

The Girls' Recommendations

Friends, while we were in Florida, I asked my girls what book they would recommend right now.

S, our wonderful ER nurse, cautiously recommended this book, which has been on the best seller list for 47 weeks now.  It is a memoir about a neurosurgeon's battle with stage IV lung cancer.

C recommended this one....like mother like daughter.  We both love historical fiction.

B, my Great Book's Scholar, says this is the book to read.  I am going to need the Cliff Notes for this one.

If you are not in the mood to read....we all agreed that this movie deserves all the hype.  LOVED IT!

Safe Lodging

A dear friend's elderly father has been rapidly failing over the last few days.  When I was going through treatment, I would sometimes see him at the infusion clinic.  Always dressed in a suit and tie, he would smile and nod at me.  My friend shared with me that he, this man of faith, who has accomplished so much in his life, did not yet want to die.  This surprised me.  He, to borrow the words of St Paul, has fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith.  Shouldn't he be ready to go to heaven? She explained that he still loves his earthly life, most especially his family, and does not want to leave. Friends,  I know we all must face death, but  I realized only then, that no matter my age, facing death will be difficult. Great faith and courage will be required, regardless of how long I have lived.  As I think of his peaceful nod, I pray Godspeed.

*****

O Lord, support us all day long,

Until the shadows lengthen,

And the evening comes,

And the busy world is hushed,

And the fever of life is over,

And our work is done.

Then in you mercy,

Grant us safe lodging,

And a holy rest,

And peace at last.

Amen.

-John Henry Newman