gratitude

This is the first fresh bouquet from our new garden ~ all native
plants that don't require any work, other than some weeding and
watering, of course. It was my only request of our gardener, some
flowers for our everyday lives. Wish granted.

Yesterday I sent out an email for the Leukemia Walk that we'll
be doing on October 20th. I was (as usual) not pleased with my
writing and felt (as usual) that I could have done a much better job.
So I went out walking and stewing. On my way home I checked
my iPhone and the screen was filled with notifications from the
Leukemia Society. I am raising money for a great cause ~ me!
Really, I welled up. I know, shocking for me, isn't it? Thank
you, thank you...

And some friends will be walking with us and that means so
much to me. We will Light the Night indeed.

I will do this thing!

My iron level was 12.0 yesterday and I need 12.5 in order to
donate blood. I've had this problem before, but this time I
am determined (!) to continue with the raisins, spinach,
garbanzos, beets, etc. Being with Michael in the hospital
made me appreciate how much patients need our blood
and platelets. Especially the leukemia victims, of course.

Ginger rang in at 14.0 so I sat with her for over an hour as
she did the Apheresis Donation. It was boring, but they
provide you with TV and movies, etc. It's hard to read as
one arm is tied down. Her platelets will help two people
and of course the donor is treated like royalty. I'll
try for next Monday. Any more iron hints? The tech
told me to try Cream of Wheat, of all things.

a surprise in the mail

Cure Leukemia

This lovely ornament was enclosed in a holiday card from my
new friend, Pam, who took such wonderful care of Michael for
those intense six months while he was in and out of Cottage
Hospital in Santa Barbara. They have been devoted friends
since high school and when I start to grieve, I remember that
Pam's pain is so much deeper than mine, and covers so many
more years and memories. Our Christmas tree is complete
now, I think it was just waiting for this final, special touch.