Archive for April, 2008

Matters of the Heart

// April 12th, 2008 // No Comments » // My Fabulous Life

Another Friday. Another day at work until 8 pm – how many of those in week can a woman take? But the exhausting week was made worthwhile someone I never even got to see today. He was one of the tough ones. One of those to whom we silently give the Cleopatra Award for being the “Queen of Denial ” on his first day of cardiac rehab. We see that a lot with heart patients. His first day several weeks ago, we could barely get him to sit in his chair to do the initial interview. I took a risk with a stern heart-to-heart….”if you were MY husband….” Sometimes that works, sometimes it doesn’t – it’s usually a long shot. This time I hit pay dirt. He stayed. He came back. He kept coming back. He embraced profound lifestyle changes. He lost 40 lb. He smiled more. His skin even looked healthier. He smiled more (did I say that already? It’s worth repeating). He was genuinely grateful for my initial hard-ball approach and for the expertise my colleagues imparted. And he became a teacher and health advocate for others in his shoes. Today he “flew the nest” to embark on his own new chosen path – with his Pilot. Thank you, D, not just for the plant (though it is beautiful), but for being a witness for health, kindness, honesty, and especially the Lord. You are one of those people I will never forget, and who has gently reminded me once again of my gratitude for diligent, brilliant colleagues and the healing power of faith. I prayed for you.

Tea today: The HyVee 75 cents/box stuff that’s a Japanese import. Authentic flavor! An end-of-paycheck tea.

The Lucky One

// April 11th, 2008 // No Comments » // Family, My Fabulous Life

Yeah, it’s a song (what isn’t?) but my puppy scared me today when I couldn’t get him out of bed. He’s getting old, and has some sort of canine dementia setting in. Usually he follows me around and does “laps” around whatever room I’m in. Today was different. Ronnie was gone early for a meeting, and Lucky just laid there. Quiet. Looking at me like he might have known me in a different life, but not right now. There was no moving him. “Treat,” “Outside,” and “See the bunny?” didn’t faze him. So I left for work, praying that when one of us got home he’d be romping around the house and not even caring if he peed in the house, either. I just wanted him there one more day. By noon when Ron came back Lucky was again doing (limping) laps and (slipping) sprawls on the tile floor, and all was sorta well with the world. He is such a loyal friend. I want him around for one more blooming of the rhododendron. We’ve shared 13 of them. I’ll take one at a time.

“Dog” is “God” spelled backwards. I’m glad they’re both in my life.
Tea today: “Snow Water Green Cloud”

The Family Stone

// April 1st, 2008 // No Comments » // Family, My Fabulous Life

Kidney stones. They say they’re like having a baby. HA. Nobody ever probably hugged a kidney stone. Don’t imagine they have that “baby smell” – or at least the end of the baby that you like to smell. There are no redeeming qualities in kidney stones, so how can they be so much like children? Sometimes they keep coming back. Sadly, they also don’t call you for no reason at all, but they do panic-call you at 3 am. Sometimes they’re “stuck” on the way to their destination. Sometimes they crumble and sometimes they’re hard as stone. You catch them as they fall. You try to prevent them from being offensive, irritating, and painful. They cost a lot of money. You look at them and you’re proud of what you’ve accomplished (whew). I guess the similarities are endless, but there’s no reason to love a kidney stone. You can, however, be grateful for the lessons both children and kidney stones teach you. This too shall pass….

R, I hope it’s your last one. This one was almost as large as our last child.

Bless you for enduring both :) Drink up!
Tea today: Genmaicha (one of my top 10)