Grateful for family....

I spent the morning visiting a couple of elderly ladies from our church who are no longer able to attend church. One did not mention her age but the other was 96 years old. I was very surprised by how beautiful the 96 year old lady looked when we were first welcomed into her living room. Her hair was perfectly coiffed, her nails were manicured, her make up was artfully applied and she was wearing earrings and jewelry. Since I knew she was a "shut in" I did not expect this wonderful sight. She spoke lovingly of her family and friends and missed being active in her community. She was blessed that one of her daughters lived nearby. Her living room was bright and sunny and the visit was probably more of a blessing for me than for her.

The other lady was dressed in a robe, was obviously in poor health and had no family in the area. She did have two nieces who live in other states that call to check on her everyday and she was very appreciative of their attentiveness.

Both of these ladies suffer from loneliness. I am reminded again today of how blessed I am for my good health and positive attitude. I am also very thankful for my large and loving family. Two of my children and five of my grandchildren live nearby and I see or speak with them frequently. My other children and grandchildren live in other states but I speak with them weekly, if not daily, and we text and email constantly. I have many cousins in other states and we communicate via email and phone as well. My elderly aunt in Missouri calls me every two weeks on Saturday.

I can't say I have experienced a feeling of loneliness in many, many years. I am grateful for a full life. I am counting my blessings!!

Grateful for health....

Today I am grateful for my excellent health!! I am feeling great and lookng...well, pretty good all things considered. Once I have shed about forty pounds I'll look the way I should. We have already had that discussion. It's not an easy process and progress is slow but I am doing mostly what I should to make that happen.

Healthwise though, I am in great shape. I have been able to change my health insurance policy to a very high deductable because I only need it to protect against catostrophic circumstances. I do not need doctor visits covered because I seldom need a doctor. Changing the insurance policy has saved Wayne and I thousands and thousands of dollars in premiums. I simply pay my own office visits which are few and far between. The last time I actually had a "sick" visit to a doctor was when I had a melanoma removed from my leg several years ago. Many of you will remember that because you were praying for me. Praise God I healed in short order and did not need any follow up treatment!

I have friends and family though who are not doing so well. I am thinking of them and praying for them today. Their illnesses have made me very, very grateful for my good health. I have a cousin battling ovarian cancer and a good friend battling breast cancer. The treatments they have both endured are unimagineable! They have both been "walking through the valley of the shadow of death" for years now and I admire the positive spirit and tenacity they have maintained through it all.

If you want to be inspired read the "Inspiration" page of this blog. Jim Miller's story is quite remarkable! If you are enjoying good health, as I am, thank God for it. If you are trying to lose weight with diet and exercise, lets stick with it together, encouraging one another. If you are having health problems that requires treatment, I am praying for a good outcome. Thank you Lord for helping my friends "fear no evil, for thou art with them."