“Gratitude is not only the greatest of the virtues but the parent of all others.” - Cicero
Readers of this blog know that a couple of weeks ago I was pronounced “cancer free” as a result of a blood test. The confirmation of this status, however, depended on a CT-scan that I had two days ago. I have to admit I had some anxiety about the test, even though I feel fine. So here’s the really, really good news: the scans of abdomen came back with no growth or spread of the disease, and, as Dr. Sud put it, “all that remains is probably scar tissue.” Hurrah!!!
We will, of course, continue to monitor that status, but Dr. Sud is confident enough to have lengthened the next scan to three months from now instead of the usual six weeks. Put simply, it doesn’t get any better than this. For the foreseeable future and barring any unanticipated change, I have – we have – my life back!
So it is bearing this wonderful news that I want to acknowledge what I am calling “the gratitude particle” in my life. I want to say thanks to those who have done so much to enable my spirit and my healing, to support our family, and to offer encouragement, love, humor, stories, and prayers, all of which had important parts to play in getting us from where we were six months ago to where we are today.
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Latest Blog Posts
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Speechless in Phoenix
“Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet confinement of your aloneness to learn anything or anyone that does not bring you alive is too small for you.”
David Whyte, “Sweet Darkness”
Twice this week I have been rendered alive and speechless by dear friends who also happen to be valued colleagues.
The first episode of speechlessness occurred when Amira de la Garza shared with me the progress she, Bob Krizek, and Nick Trujillo have… Read more... -
A Good Week of Answered Prayers and Continuing Wonder
“Which are the magic
moments in ordinary
time? All of them,
for those who can see.”
--Tim Dlugos, “Ordinary Time”
This has been a week of good news, visits, gifts, a graduation, and much happiness. We are truly blessed and very grateful each and every day. And blessed also for the wonder of another starry, starry night.
The good news was reported on Facebook right after we received it from Dr. Robin on Wednesday afternoon… Read more... -
Things We Take For Granted ... Until
The first sign of trouble with our air conditioning was on Monday and it was an obvious sign: adjusting the thermostat down to 78 degrees didn’t produce the usual start-up whir of a electric motor nor the reassuring whip-whip-whip of a fan. Adjusting it down further – to 75, then to 70, then all the way down to 60 met with the same aural absence and a gradual admission that, in fact, we had a… Read more...
Featured Books
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Counter-Narrative 
“A rhetorical tour de force that offers academics and the public alike a persuasive counterstatement against far right political views... to reclaim the original intention of U.S. democracy—‘to promote the common good.’”
- Lawrence R. Frey, Calgaard Professor of Communication and Social Justice, Trinity University
