One Foot In Front of the Other

I'm at home today fighting off a doozy of a cold.  Plenty of time to count my blessings. I am grateful today for the wonderful friends Kenny and I have gained through our association with HDSA and our HD support group. My friend, Wanda, with whom I share a birthday, has written so eloquently about her battle with HD.   Her writing has given me a window into Lacy's world that I wouldn't have without her.  She reminds me to rejoice in the Lord and remember that His name is above every name. Leesa, the Regional Director for HDSA Team Hope.  During our several phone conversations we have encouraged each other to be positive and channel grief and suffering into a way to make a difference. The members of our HD support group.  We talk together about navigating the disease, and keeping our spirits up in spite of the inevitable outcome of HD.  That we can laugh and make plans for the future is a testament to our shared determination to focus on what we have...

The month of November has always been one of my favorites.  Thanksgiving weekend is the one time all year when my sister, brother, and I all get together with our families and enjoy each other's company.    Eleven years ago, our dad passed away the Saturday after Thanksgiving.  He had looked forward to seeing everyone on that weekend. I'm not looking as forward to the holidays as I have in past years.  One thing, though, that always lifts my spirits is to purposely begin to "count my blessings."  Expressing thankfulness every day for even one thing changes the way I look at the world and at my life. Today I'm going to begin early, and mention, daily, my gratefulness for God's blessings.  This is what I think the scripture means "In everything give thanks."  Not that we are thankful for suffering and illness or difficult circumstances, but that in  or in spite of  everything  there is a reason for gratitude. I am thankful today...

Years ago, I read a book by Charles Swindoll in which he made an observation that has continued to come back to me, reminding me of my priorities.  "Don't let the urgent get in the way of the important ." Yesterday my mom, sister, aunt, and I attended the 90th birthday of my oldest aunt.  Aunt Helen was so happy to see everyone and we felt so blessed to be able to celebrate with her.  What a wonderful celebration we had together! I needed to clean my house yesterday - it was urgent - but the most important thing to do was to go to Aunt Helen's birthday party.  Would a clean house have been a satisfying substitute for seeing some one so dear - perhaps for the last time? Remembering that the "urgent" can get in the way of the "important," I've made a promise to myself to go see Lacy at least one day after school each week in addition to the weekends.  Something urgent seems to always comes up at the last minute.  My standing appointment wi...

Not well?  What is illness to the body of a knight-errant?  What matter wounds?  For each time he falls, he shall rise again, and woe to the wicked. ~ Don Quixote Our Team Hope walk was this last Saturday, October 6.  Team Hope: Knight-errants all.  Some with HD, some family members, and the bravest - those left behind.   All the donations came from the heart - we had no corporate sponsors this year - and we raised over $4500.  We will probably clear $5000 when all the donations are finally counted.     The day was cloudy.   There were reports of sleet and rain, but none fell on us.  As one of the walkers said, "It was meant to be!" We had only been planning since July, so the walk was sort of "last minute."  But what a success! Like Don Quixote, the folks that walked on Saturday have lived through wounds.  Some of our family members have succumbed to the disease.   We keep getting up, and we keep fighting. ...