Picture reminder - birthday notes

As I am writing this,I am reminding myself to be more intentional about taking and including photos!

Who took me to lunch on Tuesday?
Kind and fun friend, Kim C.

Who took me to lunch on Wednesday (when John has staff meetings over lunch)?
My dear brother Allan, who also invited James

With whom did I spend my birthday evening?
Wednesday evening supper at church; Christian yoga class at church; Stewardship meeting at church

How did I get to church that evening?
I walked with John, who had left the car in the lot earlier and walked home for me.

Who surprised me with chocolate birthday cake and ice cream?
John, who after our meetings, told me to watch my feet when I entered the car. There was a white cake box on the floor that he had found time to buy earlier. So we ate cake and ice cream around 10:00 pm.

Who was the first to call on my birthday morning?
My dear mom and dad!

Who left birthday greetings on my phone?
My dear sister Bonnie and Charlie, dear John's mom, and Sandy B.

Who called three times that day?
Carrie! (Who said she was stalking me on my birthday. Very funny, Princess!)

Who is making dinner for me on Friday?
John and James. I love looking forward to food - and time with you!


Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100

My Birthday

March 2.
Today is my birthday!
I am 56.
And I am glad to be here!
Thank you to everyone who helped me celebrate today, this week, and every day!
You fill my life with love.

"This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:24 NIV

Colonoscopy Experience (#2)

There seems to be a colonoscopy comradery. When I bought the prep formula at the pharmacy, the pharmacy assistant commented on her own experience (several years ago), and joked about the taste and the volume of the drink. And when I walked into the hospital yesterday morning for the test, the women volunteering at the information desk also commented, "Ah honey, the worst is over."

I found such friendliness, because we shared a common experience.

They made me smile. They made me laugh. We were in it together!

I worried. But everyone, beginning with the schedulers, were very kind.

Once at the procedure prep room, I had an oxygen monitor (clothespin-like object) on a finger on one hand, an IV in my other arm, and a few heart monitor stickers stuck on my chest. They were taking good care of me.

I was wheeled into a small room, where we waited a bit for the doctor. I had no idea so many people were involved. The person who monitored the anesthetic and all my vital signs was closest to my head, and explained who would be there. There would also be Dr. Bradley Warren (gastroenterologist), Nurse Sharon, the Tech, and the "fellow" working with Dr. Warren.

I turned on my side, thinking the place seemed a bit noisy, but appreciating how soft the pillow was. What a soft, soft pillow. So comfortable...

And that is all I remembered until I woke up again in the larger room with multiple patients (was this a different room than before? Not sure.). I opened my eyes and saw John sitting next to me.

And then Dr. Warren came and explained that I was fine. I was fine!
Well, except for hemorrhoids, for which I need to be more diligent about eating my fiber (25 grams per day). And come back in five years.

I will! I will!

Here is one list: High-fiber foods, Mayo Clinic.
Here is another: Dietary Fiber Chart.
(The numbers sometimes vary.)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NIV