“Be open to God’s work in your lives,” our minister said Sunday. He concluded by saying don’t put God in a box. When we stood in line to shake his hand after church, I said Marv’s continued good health reminds me that God is not in a box. God is working outside of any box …
Category: Health
God’s Grace #11: Another Hug Tour…
We spent a week on the road, traveling southeast to Missouri, Kentucky, and Indiana and visiting several nieces, nephews, and friends. Marv drove all 2000 miles. I came home worn out, while Marv still had his usual energy. Looking back a week later, I remember all the warm conversations and laughter. But I also think …
God’s Grace #10: Given “Extra” Time
When I was a psychiatric nursing grad student in the 80s, I did a clinical practicum on an oncology unit. As I live through our "waiting game" now, I remember what one of my patients said to me. He'd been given six months to live and had outlived his six months. "I've said good bye …
God’s Grace #9: A Writing Respite
Yesterday, I got excited about writing again while reading an article on the Books page of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. John McPhee, winner of the Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achievement Award, awarded by the National Books Critic Circle, defined creative nonfiction as “not making something up but making the most of what you have.” I love …
God’s Grace #8: On the Lighter Side of Living with Small Cell Lung Cancer
We are having a break now from our relentless focus on the diagnosis of cancer; we are finished with most of the paperwork and farewell visits. Last Tuesday, we went to Marv’s hometown in MN, concluding the visit of relatives there with a stop at the cemetery where he could express “see you soon” sentiments …
Continue reading God’s Grace #8: On the Lighter Side of Living with Small Cell Lung Cancer
God’s Grace #7: Really now…
I told a friend today that I was ready for a humdrum normal day. Marv is still going strong and last week he washed both cars one day and mopped all our tile floors on another. Meanwhile, my cough has not gotten better, and as of today I’m on steroids and an inhaler. “Not fair,” …
God’s Grace #6: Farewell Hug Tour
At the end of February, Marv asked me to organize a “last hug” tour to family and friends in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Chicago. I worked up a schedule for the following week and sent it on to the folks he wanted to see and said I hoped it would work for them. We are …
God’s Grace #5: God Sightings this Week
I wasn’t going to church on Sunday. I was sick. Last minute I decided to go. Our “cantor,” who rarely sings a solo, sang a solo. And it was my favorite song: “When peace like a river attendeth my way…” We sang it at my folks’ funerals and at one of my sister’s. I choked …
God’s Grace #4: Tidying Up
Marv purged the pantry today. He’s been our grocery shopper and dinner maker for 46 of our 55 years. I think he doesn’t want me to find outdated cans when I take over his role. This week has been one in which we are planning for my future. His is secure; we just don’t know …
God’s Grace #3: A Written Legacy
Our kids, ages 50 and 48, want to know Marv’s stories. I guess it’s good to know, since his time is now limited to tell them. This strikes me as tremendously ironic, because I’ve been a huge proponent on this blog of documenting your stories. I’ve warned, more than once, that if you don’t write …
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