Blues In The Night

Blues In The Night has always been one of my favorite records (and I am talking vinyl and 45's long before CD's and iPods). For some reason the melody has been running through my mind today. Not sure why, but I think perhaps it has to do with getting sad news about three friends last week. One friend's husband has prostate cancer and will have surgery. One friend had to have a mastectomy last week just before moving out of her recently sold home on the 28th. The third friend has lung cancer and a number of other health issues putting him in the hospital and then to a rehab facility. All three individuals are much younger than I am, and I am struck once again by the seeming unfairness of life. About six weeks ago another younger friend suffered a massive stroke and has a long road to recovery ahead of her. I am so sorry that these misfortunes have befallen them because all of them are among the best people I have ever known. People of faith say that God does not give us any more than we can bear, and I am so hopeful that all of them and their families can bear these illnesses. Because we all live miles and miles apart, I am not able to help them in the ways I once could and would have. Instead I have placed them on prayer lists at various churches and asked my local friends and neighbors to pray for them as well. Today I saw my own doctor who said he does not need to see me for another year so I am once again reminded of my many blessings, and I am thankful.

Life Is What Happens While We Are Making Other Plans

The title of today's post is a saying I have often heard, but I have no idea who first coined the phrase. It really is true though, and today I am feeling it! With an old friend visiting from Chicago, gorgeous weather here in the desert and lots of plans with other friends during her ten-day visit you would think everything would be great........right? Wrong! For about the 6th time in the past 12 years I am having an attack of Vertigo. With the room spinning anytime I move my head it is like being on a never-ending amusement park ride. The spinning makes me nauseous so it is like having motion sickness only I am not going anywhere. I am missing all the fun and feeling a bit cranky about it. Then I remind myself that this too shall pass. There are so many people all over the world who have much bigger, more serious problems than my Vertigo so I need to get over myself and just wait it out. Whether you enjoy Passover or Easter or neither this weekend I send you good wishes and a reminder that we should always count our blessings. I will be the first to take my own advice because I have much for which to be thankful.