"PEOPLE, PLACES, AND THINGS"Tuesday was filled with people, places, and things. Morning brought prayers that my hospital volunteering would be directed by God. When I arrived the other Monday volunteer was sick so I had my choice of south or north tower. I chose to see the patients where there was a request for visiting in both towers.
The last visit remains in my mind - a lesson in the unpredictability of life. I entered a room where an old woman in a wheelchair was sitting beside her bed eating her lunch and another younger woman was seated by the window reading (her daughter). I discovered during the course of the visit that the patient's 90th birthday was coming up on March 21st and she had booked a celebration cruise for herself, her two daughters and their children. The family members going with the patient had never been on a cruise and it was to be a magical time for all. Several days earlier, this elderly woman fell and broke her hip - no cruise for her. One daughter and her children had already canceled their reservation. I don't know the details of how she broke her hip, but she told me it happened because she wasn't minding her own business.
I sum up what I found in that room: She was inconsolable.
I could identify with her situation. We prayed. I can only hope God gave me the right words that would lessen her self-hatred, loathing, and deep sadness and regret.
After the hospital Steve and I met my son visiting from Tampa for lunch. We had a wonderful meal and conversation. His birthday is the 29th so he got his present early. After lunch we had coffee at Starbucks. I tried their new espresso drink, cherry mocha latte. Delicious. I decided to skip worrying about the calories in it and just enjoyed it.
Next came a walk with Mr. Dog in the still beautiful sunshiny low 70s day. I am delighting in this weather as long as it lasts. A 20 minute walk I can handle and seems to be enough for Lucky to expend his pent-up energy and give his bloodhound-like nose plenty of activity.
I had a long talk with my Al-Anon sponsor and I was filled with gratitude that I have this woman in my life. She grounds me.
Daughter and I rounded out the day with dinner out with longtime friends. I ate two cherry pastries so now I will be back to the gym and watching the calories.
Life is good. Life is unpredictable. I have learned to focus on appreciating each moment of each day, one day at a time.
I pray God blesses your day.
Prayer Girl
(Photo credit: The balloon carrier by worthyG@deviantart.com)
