TREASURE THE MOMENT

After 50 plus years. I have finally learned how to treasure the moment. Not just live in the moment but treasure the moment. There is a big difference. Most of my life has been spent quickly living the moment and and jumping on to the next. Many times I was so busy figuring out what had to be done next, I missed the moment altogether.

But God in His mercy, has taught me along this journey, to treasure this moment He has given me, and let Him worry about the next. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself." ( Matt 6:34)

Today was a day filled with moments to treasure. I woke up still feeling pretty wiped out but as soon as I walked into the kitchen I was greeted with the radiant smiles and "Hi Granny" from little Wyatt and Logan. The first thing that came to my mind was "This is the day that the Lord Hath Made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it." I stopped for a moment as if doing so would "freeze" the moment.

We took Wyatt with us to church and stopped to get sugar cookies with sprinkles for the children. By the time we got to church, Wyatt had red and blue stains from the sprinkles all over his face, hands and little blue suit jacket. Both socks and both shoes were off his feet. Ordinarily, I would have been frustrated because putting him back together would have taken extra time. But today I just looked at him, knowing that this little boy would grow up all too quickly and his little red and blue cookie stained face would soon become the face of a man. And I stopped to treasure the moment.

Today was Baby Logan's baptism. I sat with Eric, Katie, Dylan, Jayda, baby Cooper and Holly. I thought about how it seemed like only yesterday I held Eric in the very same pew as a tiny baby. And now I watched with a grateful heart as Eric sat holding his newborn son, with his family by his side. And I paused to treasure the moment.

Carl sang a beautiful solo from his heart and I closed my eyes and embraced the moment, not wanting the song to end.

I watched as our Pastor and friend took baby Logan in his arms (no small feat) to baptize him. I silently prayed he wouldn't scream when he felt the water on his head. But he didn't. They never do. I think at that moment God takes over and speaks to the babies because they never seem to cry when they are baptized. As Pastor Steve held baby Logan up before the congregation I, once again, paused to treasure the moment. I silently prayed that God would bless this child and surround him with His love and grace.

We went to lunch with some wonderful family friends. Little Wyatt sat practicing taking his shoes on and off. Baby Logan took his macaroni filled hands and wiped them all over Kristy's arm. We all laughed and I thought about how quickly the children in that family had grown up, how it seemed like yesterday when Greg was Baby Logan's age. And I stopped to treasure the moment.

Later that afternoon, after Holly and the boys went home we went to a supper at our church. When I got my plate, Daynin, one little boy who holds a special place in my heart, came up and asked "Can I sit at your table?" We sat down next to each other and talked about lakes and alligators and water skiing and tubing; all of the things little boys like to talk about. He told me proudly how his mom could water ski with one ski and how one day he would learn to ski barefoot.

As little Daynin talked, I thought about how quickly these moments in our lives go by. How easy it is to miss them. How we can't always get them back. And I closed my eyes and whispered a prayer of thanks to the One who lovingly provides those special moments and asks only that I stop and take time to truly treasure them.

The Butterfly

Looks as though today may somewhat of a struggle also. I was hoping to wake up feeling better than yesterday, but not to be. I'm struggling still with bone pain, fatigue and a general feeling of blah. I had been told that the effects of this chemo regime would be cumulative so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. It really goes against my nature to stay lazy 3 days in a row, but I guess I'll have to give in to it. Baby Logan is here with me but he sleeps a good part of the day so we'll just enjoy each other's company when we're awake.


I've heard it said that if we were to help the butterfly remove itself from the cocoon, the butterfly would not be strong enough to survive. It is the struggle that prepares the butterfly to become strong enough to fly. Without the struggle in the cocoon, it could not survive as a butterfly.

The Lord prepares each of us in similar ways. The Lord knows our struggle and will make our life an instrument in His hand if we will follow Him with an upright heart. He does make all things beautiful In His Time if we are willing to be patient.

Get-Wel

I woke up this morning feeling like I had been hit by a train. Headache, sore throat, achiness and absolutely no energy. Looks like my immune system is going to get a challenge. I was supposed to receive a transfusion yesterday but my oncologist said that my iron count, which is supposed to be 38, is at 2. He said getting a transfusion wouldn't really help until we got the iron counts up. So Carl and I are trying to figure out how to cook liver and onions without stinking up the house and driving out the piano students.

Carl has literally run circles around me this morning. He started teaching at 7 am. When he finished he cut the grass, edged and ran the weedeater and then went up to the church to work there. He will get back in time to teach again at 3:00. I am somewhat jealous of his energy today but moreover grateful to be married to such a hard working man.

I finally gave in and just went to bed asking God to strengthen me for the upcoming busy weekend with Holly's birthday and Logan's baptism. I have a basket with the many cards that I have gotten from friends over the last few months and I came across one that was so appropriate for today that I wanted to share it. It is folded in the shape of a box that you would find a bottle of cough syrup in. You know the box that has the name of the medicine and all the side effects, etc. This medicine is called Get-Wel. Here are some of the things written on this box:

Get-Wel ASAP now with fast-acting HEALZINNOTIME!

USES
Temporarily relieves these symptoms commonly associated with not feeling so hot:
-Yuckiness
-Tendency to feel poopy
-blah disposition

WARNINGS
You may experience dizziness, drowsiness, incontinence, constipation, bad breath, loss of hair,
loss of appetite, and loss of lunch. Get-Wel causes no side effects so don't even think about
blaming us. There! You've been warned.

AVOID OPERATING HEAVY MACHINERY
In fact, avoid operating all machinery. Go ahead and have someone else turn on the television
for you. Why take a chance?

DIRECTIONS
Through a patented delivery process, Get-Wel works without any effort on your part. Just
relax and enjoy the healing power while you watch game shows, spy on the neighbors, build a
pillow fort, taste- test chicken soups, or aphabetize the items in your refrigerator.


OTHER INFORMATION
-The capital of Iowa is Des Moines
-Breakfast is the most important meal of the day
-Don't run with scissors

INACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Why would anyone want to include ingredients that don't do anything?

ENDORSEMENTS
"Get-Wel is the FIRST thing I recommend to my patients" - Dr. Makim Bedder

"Get-Wel immediately!" - Costas A. Lott, M.D.

"Get- Wel whatever it takes!" - Carl's Mom

Hope this brought a smile to your face. I know I feel better already!