On the Road to Recovery

Greetings, Friends!
I am two weeks into recovery from major surgery (feminine matters), and am feeling pretty good. I was able to stop taking the heavy-duty pain killers a week after surgery, and am now just using ibuprofen as needed. My family has been amazing; they stayed with me in the hospital, help me at home, and still lift things for me when needed! All of my brothers and sisters who live in town came to see me (and the other two called), as well as many other friends and family members. I am very blessed, and the outpouring of support has been magnificent!

My children have been at my side from the beginning. Those who were able to stay with me in the hospital did so for an entire day, and others came as possible. They have brought me gifts, joy, a welcome home sign, game times, laughs, and kindness. Sebastian has spiced up our otherwise humdrum evenings once or twice, and brought much laughter to our home. What a wonderful family we have!!! Of course the kids are helping out more around here too, with extra chores and driving and patience with what isn't happening, such as our annual St. Nicholas Day visits! St. Nick wasn't able to come this year, and everyone accepted that as graciously as could be imagined.

Last weekend I had the privilege of attending Diane's commencement ceremony where she received her PhD. She treated the entire family to a weekend of celebration at a luxurious Radisson, including all meals. We were pampered to no end! She is an example to me of a woman of quite strong faith, character, and physical stamina! Diane never complains, and has worked incredibly hard for her achievements, all the while attending to the needs of others, and doing so with joy and gratitude. You go, girl!!!

Today I also want to express my deep love for my husband, Dave, without whom my life would just not be the same. He is my better half, my best friend, and the source of so much of my earthly happiness and serenity. Dave knows how to love. He has loved me through thick and thin, and during this time of recovery, is caring for me like a precious gem. He responds generously to my requests for help, even if he is tired. Last night, for example, my feet were quite sore, and I asked him if he could rub them. His actions were not done with a hurried "can't wait to get this done" type of attitude, but instead with care, tenderness, and even patience. He is a truly great man, and I am honored to be his wife.

Thank you for reading, and feel free to post comments! I love to hear from you too.

Glimpses of God's Goodness

It's hard to believe that it has been a week since I began this blog. Time seems to have flown by, and I have a couple of stories to tell you.

Yesterday we were watching the Michigan/Ohio State game on our only TV when during the 3rd quarter, it suddenly stopped working! I actually prayed this: "Dear God, would you please provide us with a TV for free? We don't have money for one right now, and I would really appreciate it. Thanks." Dave & I went out for the evening to see the U/M Men's Glee Club (Fantastic Performance!!!) and had a very enjoyable time.

Later that night, (shortly before midnight) I suddenly thought to go to one of my favorite Yahoo! Groups, "Ann Arbor Recycle" where folks freely give and receive items from one another. I requested a TV, and not a minute later, received an e-mail from someone saying they'd be happy to donate one of theirs to us; when I looked at the sender's name, I recognized that it was my own brother!! He just happened to see my message at that moment, was coming to our neighborhood the following day, and offered to bring it to us! So less than 24 hours after ours broke, we had one back in our living room, and it works very well. To me, that is the magnificence of a God who cares about the very minute details of our lives!

Another little story from the weekend: I read an article in the paper about children who are abused, and will be going to a meeting tomorrow night that teaches folks how to recognize the signs that children are being abused, and for some reason between those two things and some others, I started having a hard time with my thoughts regarding my own upbringing and the pain I felt at that time. While in the shower, I was crying, walking the edge of despair, when I remembered that Jesus is my friend, and I could talk to him about it. So I asked him to somehow bring healing and help me not to become self-centered or bitter, but forgiving and loving. The neat part of this situation is that the lines of communication opened up a bit with my family, and I was able to talk to some of my kids about how I was feeling and why. They were very supportive, encouraging, kind, and loving. The goodness of God shone through them and reached the depths of my pain, bringing joy and healing; I knew that I wasn't alone, and that I am loved and cherished by God and by my family.

Ah, sweet magnificence: hiding behind every corner, just waiting to be found!

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog! After a frail attempt at maintaining a Facebook account, I have decided that it just isn't "me". In an effort to share with others, I am trying this because I read a few blogs recently and found them encouraging and fun. It seems to be a good way to keep in touch with many people at once. I have named this blog "Veiled Magnificence" because through the people, events, dreams and hopes of each day, the magnificence of God is there, but remains veiled to me until I have taken the time to reflect and wonder.

I'd be honored to have you walk alongside of me as I share my own feeble attempts to recognize the magnificent, and I invite you to post your comments or just let me know you've been here.

Thanks for visiting.