Saturday, June 14, 2025
Sunday, June 8, 2025
Thursday, June 5, 2025
The Struggle Is Real
Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey
Friendship is one of the cheapest
and most accessible of pleasures;
it requires no outlay and no very
serious expenditure of time or trouble.
It is quite easy to make friends,
if one wants to...
There is surely no greater pleasure
in the world than to feel one is needed,
welcomed, missed, and loved.
—Arthur C. Benson.
Sitting on the couch and crocheting, I sighed deeply, shaking my head in disgust. Another thing that didn't work out. Another setback. Another delay. Just another day with the same outcome.
Why is there so much red tape when one is sick? I mean, one can go about and prepare ahead of time, filling out all the necessary paperwork. One can prepare by making sure we have opted for all the benefits that perhaps we might need in the future. We can do all these things and still red tape happens.
I guess, we really cannot prepare for every situation, because we are human. Mistakes can happen in the best scenarios. Still . . . how in the world is anyone to get rest or recover if they spend all their waking hours on the phone with administration?
Things have certainly changed in the past nine years since I have been in remission. For one, I never had to deal with insurance issues. Like majority of us, I had insurance as a precaution to any health issues that may have arisen. Once that happened, you would show your card and that was the end of that.
Not anymore. Insurance companies choose what type of drugs they want to pay for and that also includes dosages. They are in total control of our health. Having insurance doesn't mean what it used to in the past and it definitely is not enough. Thank goodness there are grants and assistance from various sources we can depend on for these emergencies. Don't be afraid to reach out and accept the hospitals navigators help on these matters. What a godsend they are in these situations, offering help by ways of grants, gas cards, free rides and vouchers to appointments.
I have to be honest, I rarely used any of these programs in the past. Didn't have a need for them. Now, they are a godsend! Things are always changing in the medical world of administration and unfortunately, not always for the better. Thank goodness for the numerous organizations that offer their assistance for free. Don't be afraid to discuss these options with your cancer navigator from your clinic or hospital. The struggle is real, but there is hope if we are open to accept the help.
Have a blessed day everyone.
Sunday, June 1, 2025
Monday, May 26, 2025
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Monday, May 19, 2025
An Interesting Wrinkle
Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.
Although He linger long,
He never comes too late.
ANON
Monday, May 5, 2025
A Sunny Day
Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.
Whate'er my God ordains is right;
Though I the cup must drinkThat bitter seems to my faint heart,
I will not fear nor shrink.
S. RODIGAST
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Thursday, April 17, 2025
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
I Never Imagined
I do each thing,
When Thy least breath sustains my wing!
I shine and move
Like those above,
And, with much gladness
Quitting sadness,
Make me fair days of every night.
H. VAUGHAN.
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Sunday, April 6, 2025
Sunday, February 16, 2025
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Saturday, February 1, 2025
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Winter Wonderland
Living in Chicago for a major part of my life, I remember the many Winter storms I have survived. Now those were real storms of never-ending snow, slush and freezing cold. One would shovel as soon as it started, then several times during the storm and the clean-up that followed afterwards until we did it all over again in a few days. The sidewalks resembled snow tunnels piled up high. My children would build igloos using 5 gallon buckets.
We have been living in Central Illinois now for almost five years and the Winters here have been quite mild compared to Chicago. People have no idea what winterwear consists of where many don't even own a coat. I regale our friends with stories of wearing plastic bags inside my boots to keep them from freezing, keeping blankets in the cars to drape over our laps and the many days/nights of scraping the ice off our cars. They just stare at me like a deer in headlights as if I was a dinosaur from the centuries ago. And you walked how many miles to school? Barefoot?
Winters are pretty mild in Central Illinois to say the least. Once in a while, a storm passes through and for a short period, we are covered in a Winter Wonderland. This morning, the temperatures read a mere 2 degrees. You would think these people would get a jacket, hat and gloves on? Absolutely not! They dash like a gold medal Olympic runner to their cars dressed in their sweats. A coat? Bah, who needs one?!
I, personally, have always enjoyed the Winter. Yes, I don't enjoy pumping gas when the wind blows so hard and we stand shivering. Yes, I don't enjoy scraping ice and snow off the car. Yes, I don't enjoy the dreary and cloudy skies with no sunshine to be seen anywhere.
Yet, there is something so serene, majestic and peaceful in seeing the beauty of a Winter Wonderland. From the inside, of course. I really do miss a real Winter like the one we had in Chicago. To me, Winter is a time of reflection and relaxation of both mind and body. A time well spent in reassessing how well we did during the year. We can determine what needs to be weeded out from our lives and what graduates into the coming year.
It is also a time where I play catchup with various projects that can only be done at home. The books we want to read and the movies we want to watch curled up on our couch with our favorite blanket enjoying a cup of hot chocolate. When does a hearty soup or chowder or a bowl of chili taste the best? Only in the Winter.
All four of the Seasons have their splendor and purpose. There is beauty in this Creation Our Lord made for us. A Season and a time for everything. What is Winter to you?
Have a blessed day everyone.
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
Sunday, January 5, 2025
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
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Running out this morning to Walgreen's for a desperate need of coffee , I almost tripped over an U.P.S. box by my door . I stopped...