So I Have Been Sick!

 

                                Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

 Make me patient, kind, and gentle,

    Day by day;
  Teach me how to live more nearly
    As I pray.
SHARPE'S MAGAZINE.

If you have been following me, you know very well that I have begun a new career adventure in the field of Assisted Living/Independent/Rehab Facility with our seniors. Since the covid19 epidemic, we have been tested twice a week for the virus. The test itself consists of either a throat swab or a nose swab. I have been taking the throat, because it is a lot easier and not as awkward/uncomfortable. 

It was during one of these regular covid19 swabs that I tested positive. I did have a sinus congestion and a headache, but thought nothing of it. Every time I went through the test, I would have a similar reaction for the remainder of the day. I also had a flu shot at the same time so I just thought these minor symptoms were all connected. 

Of course, I was immediately sent home for the next ten days with full pay, by the way. I put that in, because everyone wanted to know. I don't think it was being nosey or too personal. I believe this virus has affected many people and will continue to do so. People are just wondering if this is something that companies will be adding, because of the pandemic. By us, one has to be a full time associate to receive pay.

My symptoms were pretty mild compared to others who have been hospitalized. I never had a fever of any kind. I did experience a sinus congestion with a headache, a minor sore throat for a few days, metal mouth nausea and incredible fatigue. It totally reminded me of my chemo days, especially the metal mouth which affected my taste buds making everything taste horrible. 

. I think this covid flu takes some time before we can say we are completely recovered. We may not be contagious, but the side effects still can be found. I have been back at work a couple of weeks already and I still get an occasional cough here and there. I should also add shortness of breath which I still seem to experience when exerting myself.

Again, I am fine now. There is a silver lining in this: I don't have to test for at least 90. I have no idea where I caught this or how or when. I am just grateful it was a mild case. It could have been a lot worse. Please stay safe out there and take care of yourself. 

Have a blessed day everyone.

The Year Of Discord

 

                           Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

For all sweet and pleasant passages

 in the great story of life men may 

well thank God;

for leisure and ease and health and

 friendship may God make us truly 

and humbly grateful;

but our chief song of thanksgiving

 must be always for our kinship with him, 

with all that such divinity of

 greatness brings of peril, hardship,

 toil, and sacrifice.

—Hamilton Mabie.

I think it's safe to say that this year has been full of havoc and discord. We as a society have been faced with uncertainty all around us. The way we shop, interact with one another and even work has changed. It's no wonder that people feel misplaced and anxious about where we are heading. 

So many of my friends are faced with so many new challenges as a new decade is ahead of us. Changes don't scare me as much as they did in the past. I guess, I have realized that perhaps change isn't as bad as we may think. I have learned to pick the fights that I want to address and which ones to discard. The rest? Well, things have a way of working themselves out.

The world is spinning way too fast and our young people have nowhere to grab hold. Or someone. My faith has sustained me through a lot in my life, but that is not the case for many out there. Our world is filled with people who are searching for things to fill their life with instead of God. Many have no idea of even the basic bible stories that most of us have grown up on. 

Somewhere along the way, our faith was not taught to the next generation or they just felt no need to listen. That has always been the case when life is way too good. We never need God when our cup is full and life is lovely. When do we fall on our knees in prayer? When we hurt, when we ache and cannot take another step for fear of collapsing in defeat. We seem to remember who God is at that stage of our despair.

This year has been one of despair. Many have come to the throne room to kneel by the feet of Christ. Many have also seem fit to blame Him for their despair. There has always been a choice. Right or wrong. Heaven or hell. Yes or no. Life is full of choices and consequences. When we fail, we can only blame ourselves. Which way do you want to go? Have you made that choice of whom you will follow? Today is the day where we take a leap of faith and allow God into our life so He can work in us for us. Today is that day.

Have a blessed day everyone.

 

Living Among Beauty

 

                              Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

The little worries which we meet each day

  May lie as stumbling-blocks across our way,
  Or we may make them stepping-stones to be
    Of grace, O Lord, to Thee.
A. E. HAMILITON.

When we decided to move to Central Illinois, we never imagined how much we would feel right at home. We often felt as if we have lived here all of our lives. Being at home with the beauty of your surroundings has taken on a new meaning for us. I am always amazed at each new day that brings even more beauty than the night before. God has certainly created a magnificent world. One that we need to definitely appreciate a bit more.

I feel so fortunate to be able to live near my family. Not many people have the opportunity to do so. I often think of my grandmother Bernice who was separated from her family for the majority of their lives. An entire ocean separated us from each other with them living in Poland and we lived in the United States. 

Nowadays, with technology being what it is, it may not seem such an ordeal. It wasn't always so. Poland became a free Country in the mid 80's, not that long ago. Before that, one had to make arrangements for a phone call weeks prior by obtaining permission first. Living in a free Country is a privilege. Many people nowadays have no idea how extremely lucky they are to be able to do so.

So I often think of my grandmother Bernice and how badly her heart must have ached to have us all near her. Life is hard enough without having to live it alone.

I took a mini a walk the other day as I dropped off my car for an oil change. Fall is such a beautiful time, isn't it? I couldn't help, but snap some pictures to share with all of you.

I think we become so engrossed in our lives that we forget to notice the beauty around us. That is why we are so stressed as a nation, as a people.

Take a moment today to step outside  and admire the handiwork  of our Creator.

Can you see the beauty? 

Can you feel the appreciation of being allowed to live amidst His Creation?

Bask in His love, this beauty He has created for our pleasure. Have a blessed day everyone.

We Lived Life

 

                          Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

Save us from the evil tongue,

 From the heart that thinketh wrong,

  From the sins, whate'er they be,
  That divide the soul from Thee.
ANON.

Well, time has certainly flown by since I last penned a blog. We moved. We settled in. We lived life. The world kept spinning no matter what we were doing. Time waits for no man, isn't that how the saying goes?

It has been a busy time in our family. Both the grandkids graduated, one from 8th into High School. The other went off to Air National Guard becoming a man overnight.

For the first time in a very long time, we were able to participate in activities together like the Ladies Paint Night. This was something I have not done before, but hope to enjoy of more in the future. 

Here is my finished piece.

One of the best things that has changed in our life is the ability to be together whenever we want and however long we may want to be. I can drop by my son's home anytime I need to borrow a cup of sugar or a couple of eggs. We have been apart far too long. 

I love where we are at in our life. Things can change suddenly without warning so we need to be grateful for what we have. For now, we are enjoying every bit of it. We are living life.

Have a blessed day everyone.