Healing Thoughts

To my neighbor, Neighbor Boy's mom, who had surgery Monday for a torn ACL and is starting to feel the pain now that the initial drugs have worn off.

To my church friend, Miss M, who would visit the kids on Fridays last summer, who is in a rough patch with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

Get Well Soon!

Sending best wishes for a full and speedy recovery to my second cousin once removed (my second cousin's daughter, if I read the chart correctly).  May she be back on her feet very soon!  (And good luck with soccer!)

Breathe In, Breathe Out

With so much sadness, illness, and the like, I've been meditating, praying, breathing in and out, for friends and loved ones, even though I know that the circle of suffering and sunshine will always spin . . . .

• my aunt, in the hospital, and her immediate and extended family;
• my friend, whose father is suffering, and by extension the whole family (and she's been sick too);
• my friend, Miss M, who was just diagnosed with cancer, again;
• my friend, another Miss M, whose son is still in the hospital after a fall three weeks ago;
• my MIL, whose knee is bothering her greatly;
• my neighbor, who is going through a bitter divorce that just keeps getting uglier;
• the woman who cleans my house, who was robbed of all her electronics and jewellery.

This Time of Year

It occurred to me, as I looked over my Christmas card address list, that an entire address had effectively been erased. I mean the deaths this year of my aunt and uncle, to whom I'd always sent a card. Loss seems especially hard this time of year and so I remember them and others to whom I can no longer write. And I send loving thoughts to those who are trying to celebrate their first holidays, or even second or third or any, without important loved ones, from my cousins to my playgroup friend. Lastly, I send hope to the family of another friend as they struggle with uncertainty and fear. It's very dark now but the light comes back.

Heal Soon!

Gommie broke her foot by stepping funny on the beach in Texas yesterday and had to rely on the kindness of a stranger in a golf cart to ferry her home. Apparently, it's a clean break of the tibia (the part in your foot, not your leg. Don't ask, I'm not the medical one), which will be set tomorrow.

Good luck and heal fast, Gommie!

With Sadness

I just received word that the mom of our playgroup friend Miss J passed away this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.

Joys and Concerns

Mostly concerns, for:

• the family and friends of my Uncle J (Pop's sister's husband), who died yesterday;
• Pop, whose skin biopsy came back as melanoma so that he'll need surgery. But they caught it early;
• Miss J's mom (N & N's "meme"), whose cancer has spread, again.

But joy for our little friends going to kindergarten, who all seem to be headed to the schools of their (parents') choices.

It's a New Baby

Welcome, new baby girl! And congratulations to Mommy Goose and family. We can't wait to meet the new baby. Bud and Sis have already peppered me with questions, like "What does a new baby do?" and "So, now when they come over, we'll have to put up the baby gate?" Well, not quite yet . . . . but we'll be glad to have you over as soon as you're getting out.

Mommy on the Emotional Edge

I've been simultaneously counting my blessings and worrying about all manner of things today, much more than usual. I even got teary thinking about my Richard, whom a few of my readers may remember as the student I worked with who died of Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy. And while the trigger for my emotional state might be a stereotypical one, it doesn't make the gratitude for health, family, security, and love or the worry about children, upcoming projects, housework, "the future," and the like any less powerful or real. Just very much an unexpected roller-coaster ride.

I like carousels.

So thanks to those of you who listened and reached out to me today, in person and via email. I really appreciate it.

Hugs to Miss B

My thoughts and prayers go out to Miss B's daughter K, who was diagnosed this weekend with Kawasaki Disease and spent several days in the hospital being treated. She is home now and doing much better, but, of course, worries will persist, especially about longterm cardiac problems. K is not yet 2 years old. Miss B has had a tough few weeks, year even, having had surgery herself not quite a month ago, after more than a year of treatment for kidney and parathyroid issues.

Sending Out Lots of Love

• to CJ, who has been sick but whose mom, Mama Teacher, tells me he is improving
• to Mr. Teacher, whose back has been problematic. Be careful in the snow!
• to Miss B, whose daughter K has been ill and dehydrated--I hope she is better and that you get some sleep tonight
• to church Miss L, who has had another death in her circle of friends, hugs to you and yours, and sleep, too
• and to all my friends traveling--Miss T, Miss S, Miss D--safe voyage and happy return home!

Speedy Recovery!

Good luck to my friend having (outpatient!!!) thyroid surgery tomorrow! An uneventful day and a speedy, pain-free recovery.

Lighting a Candle

Tomorrow a church friend has surgery and so I send electronic good vibes to her and her partner for a successful operation and uneventfully quick recovery.

Thinking of Her

Our thoughts, prayers, and love are with Miss J's mom (i.e. N and N's Meme/grandma), who has been battling lung cancer that has now spread to her spine and pelvic bone.

In Memoriam

Our family friend who has been battling non-Hodgkin's lymphoma died last night surrounded by her partner and family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those who loved her and were loved in return.

Thinking of Her

A childhood family friend, who has non-Hodgkins lymphoma, has found out that her tumor has spread and palliative care is her primary option. Our love, thoughts, and prayers are with her, her partner, her mom, her sister, her dad, and all of her family.

Good Luck Tomorrow

To Miss T, who will be undergoing not one but two root canals.

We'll be thinking of you.

Hoping for the Best

One of our little friends from church has been bitten by a deer tick carrying Lyme Disease and has had the characteristic bullseye rash and fever-like symptoms.  She's on a course of antibiotics so please keep her in your thoughts.  

 

Thinking of Her

A childhood friend of the family, just about my age and also "family," is in the ICU and struggling in her battle against non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to her, her partner, and her family.

Thinking of Her

A church friend of mine coincidentally had a similar ovarian cyst problem when I did last week.  Except hers abcessed and she has been hospitalized since mid-last week.  Now it is a blood-born infection that might require major surgery.  Please keep her and her family in your thoughts these next few critical days.