Friday in Northville

Wednesday, classmate David Mayhew and his wife Jan, who live a couple towns away from my parents, came over to my folks' for a lively visit.

Thursday, John and I took a quiet walk in the woods with my dad, looking for turkey dustings and morel mushrooms (which I did not touch) and everything else, including how his new trees are doing in spite of the yellow-bellied sap-suckers. I also stopped in at my mom's church sewing group to see the quilts the women were working on for the Northern Michigan Relief Sale.

Then John drove us home to Northville, where I finished my monthly classmate email newsletter. Wherever I move, I like that these people have an email connection.

The one stressful part of the vacation week was when John received a call from the Conference that "local" moves need more than one estimate from different moving companies. We have never done that before, and had thought we were all set. The woman who had already come to look in all my cupboards and closets was very soothing and comforting. She had the confidence-inspiring attitude that their company would take care of the work and worries. So John quickly (before my next chemo and "nadir") scheduled someone from another company to come and look over everything for another estimate. That estimate will be Monday, and John rearranged his appointments to be home.

In the meantime... Saturday is my next doctor's appointment and blood draw. I think Dr. Malviya may do a Pap test every month, as I have been receiving (negative) test results reports in the mail. So far, so good.

I will keep in mind:
shapes of trees and the orange-red of tiny hemlock berries;
the bright-yellow goldfinches at my folks' feeders;
deer behind my folks' house at night looking through the window at me;
hugs and laughter of friends;
kind spoken and written-words of encouragement of both friends and of people I do not even know;
cards and prayers from the 4th grade Sunday School class... including- but not limited to...:

"My name is Emily and I am a good friend of your husband. I hope you feel better soon."

"I am so sorry that you have cancer, but I know that you are wrapped up in God's blanket of love.... Love, Claire"

"I'm praying for you at home that you're going to be ok. I'm from Sunday School in 4th grade. I wanted to tell you our class is praying for you. Sorry you have cancer. I know you're going to get better. God is with you every step of the way, with you every moment. Love, Ellie"