On Vacation - Florida Sunshine

Visiting the Adcocks - Leesburg, FL

We spent the first part of our vacation visiting our friends the Adcocks, who were friends with my parents before my parents were married, and who provided great hospitality to us.

We also got to see the Longs, more "Calvary" friends from my childhood.

In this photo:

John; Laura; Leah; Gene; Jean; Bill.

The Otts - Delray area
Then we saw the always deeply fun (and fun-ly deep) Bishop Don and Jan Ott. He was John's Bishop when John was a Distrit Superintendent.

Photo - at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center

(To Bill: I wore sunscreen and usually a hat.)

Photo - Getting to see the ocean and feel the warm (sometimes) breezes.

Photo- Wow! Visiting with Margie Collins who lives in Delray.
We shared memories of junior high camp and visions of Colorado.

What a blessing to see everyone!

Mom's Second Cataract Surgery

Mom's second cataract surgery was February 12, and that meant I got to make another trip up north! Everything went well!

Thanks for prayers!

(Much snow had melted. I did not take the skis. Dad and I walked in the woods though, and saw several deer and their tracks.)

Warm Weather Skiing and RED

Wearing Red in honor of my sister and Heart Health!

Let's keep moving!

Photo from Saturday.

I could hardly believe I forgot to wear red on Friday. However, I searched through some moving boxes and found a red shirt, washed it, and wore it Sunday. Also, I did wear red on Saturday! John and I skied in a park within walking distance. I was dressed rather warmly for the day, and the snow was wet in spots. But it was good to be out, even for one loop!

Good News for Mom

I drove up north to my parents' Wednesday for my mom's cataract surgery on Thursday. She seems to be healing well. The doctor and staff took good care of her. And my dad has been taking excellent care of her, including scrubbing up like a surgeon multiple times per day to administer her pre- and post-op eye drops.

I wore the Bar Harbor, Maine sweater from Bonnie to represent Bonnie, who had her own doctor's appointment that day.

The surgery was at the hospital in Alpena, so I had a chance for a brief "Hello!' with classmate Terri Caruso, who works at a bank up there.

Mom was recuperating so well that I slipped out a couple times to cross-country ski through their field and into the woods. Deep, pure, quiet, crisp, clear, cold, beauty.

I drove home Saturday, just as John was finishing up at church, and we returned the car that was very kindly and generously loaned to John by the Bryans.

To See Thee More Clearly!

(A note from John's cyber-pen). The song from the musical, Godspell, lifts three prayers: "to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly". Laura called from her parents this morning to tell me the news that her mother's cataract surgery went very well. They were due at the hospital in Alpena at a very early hour, completed the procedure, then enjoyed breakfast before returning home to Fairview.

God is good.

And this has been a year filled with God's grace. So, what a way to celebrate the one-year anniversary of Laura's cancer surgery: to be able to drive North to offer care to her mother and father at the point of Leoda's eye surgery.

So, Laura's mother will see more clearly; and all of us who have eyes open to the goodness of God especially in the midst of challenge can see, crisp and clear, the goodness.

One Year: Flowers to Celebrate!

Today is my one-year anniversary from the cancer surgery.
I had not thought much about it.

However, Tuesday afternoon, my friend Jan K. appeared at my door - with flowers!
How beautiful!

And what a long trek!
It was so good to see her!

And so I celebrate, with thanks!

Body and Mind Disipline

Walking
I am trying to keep walking. But there is a lot of ice out there!
However, Monday night John and I walked 5.4 miles. Felt good!

Worry/Calm
Sometimes I have been so worried, thinking about cancer, cancer, cancer.
That comes and goes.
Through Sunday's Disciple study, and Monday night's walk, I was reminded again not to spoil today with worry. There are mottos for that: "One day at a time." "Make today count". "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today." Ha! Good advice!