Yes, I'm Back

 Update:  Thank you all who have prayed and sent good wishes to me this past week.  The details of my disappearance are that The Professor suffered a mild stroke last Thursday night.  Because he immediately recognized the symptoms, we were able to get to the ER very quickly.  He is making strong and fast progress in his recovery.  Currently, he is in our local hospital's inpatient intensive physical therapy rehabilitation unit.  Again, thank you all for your care and concern.

So, as you can imagine, all of my Friday Fave Fives this week are linked to this situation.

1.  I am thankful for excellent care for The Professor in both hospitals where he has been a patient.  In addition,  Younger Daughter the Nurse was on duty that evening and was able to check on us constantly.

2.  So many people have reached out to offer help to me-- driving, meals, and everything else I might need.

3.  My dear friend L who was my companion on our adventure to Ireland last summer drove me home one evening from the far away hospital, stopped at Trader Joe's and helped me purchase some basic foods and ready-made dinners to make eating easier.  I didn't realize at the time just how much that would help me this week.

4.  All our neighbors are keeping an eye on me, reminding me that they are all here to help if I need them.

5.  During this difficult and crazy time, we have had two house projects going on.  (When you plan work with companies, you can't just cancel or postpone it.)  Our driveway has been repaved;  the cement work was well done.  The flooring on our main floor has been pulled up and replaced.  That should be finished tomorrow.  I am thankful that the work was still able to be finished and that the companies have been helpful and accommodating.

Here is something to make you smile.  A honey bee gathering pollen from a beautiful yellow flower.

November Thankfulness #26

THANKSGIVING DAY 2015

Prayer of Thanksgiving
by Vienna Cobb Anderson

God of all blessings,
source of all life,
giver of all grace:

We thank you for the gift of life:
for the breath
that sustains life,
for the food of this earth
that nurtures life,
for the love of family and friends
without which there would be no life.

We thank you for the mystery of creation:
for the beauty
that the eye can see,
for the joy
that the ear may hear,
for the unknown
that we cannot behold filling the universe with wonder,
for the expanse of space
that draws us beyond the definitions of our selves.

We thank you for setting us in communities:
for families
who nurture our becoming,
for friends
who love us by choice,
for companions at work,
who share our burdens and daily tasks,
for strangers
who welcome us into their midst,
for people from other lands
who call us to grow in understanding,
for children
who lighten our moments with delight,
for the unborn,
who offer us hope for the future.

We thank you for this day:
for life
and one more day to love,
for opportunity
and one more day to work for justice and peace,
for neighbors
and one more person to love
and by whom be loved,
for your grace
and one more experience of your presence,
for your promise:
to be with us,
to be our God,
and to give salvation.

For these, and all blessings,
we give you thanks, eternal, loving God,
through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.