It’s Friday. A golden September day. Leaves just beginning to slowly fall from some of the early changing trees outdoors. My life is full. My heart is full. There have been some significant discoveries in my life over the last month. I had covid in August and I just couldn’t shake it. I began to get weak, so weak that I could not do stairs without having breathing difficulties, I was very sick. I started wondering if it was long covid, so I went to the doctors. I was so sick that I cried throughout the appointment. My heart was racing fast. He had me do breathing exercises but it made no difference. I was truly miserable. Hot all the time, weak, shaking, sweating, and no energy or mental clarity to do much more than what I had to do in a day. I never gave up though. When the blood results came back the doctor called me that morning at 8:30. He asked me if I had any family members with thyroid problems and I said yes, my mother and aunts and some cousins all had been diagnosed and put on medicine. And he told me that I had hyperthyroid and to start taking the medicine that day. It’s been a little less than a month and I feel better than I have in a long time. Rich and I wonder if my thyroid has been acting up for years……it would explain a lot. I don’t have any regrets though. I can see God’s hand guiding me along and always remember that beautiful Bible phrase…..”at just the right time”……at just the right time God will show and reveal and give grace and move and guide. And yes, even each moment is a blessing-moment from above. My bare feet on the floor, the oversized striped shirtdress that I bought myself yesterday making me feel cute, the sounds of my son moving in his bedroom, the anticipation I feel knowing that the other kids will be coming home from school soon, on and on it goes.

My husband honoring me (briefly, during an introductory talk he gave) at work yesterday, and I was there in the front row next to Ethan. Bringing people to tears with his kind and loving words. The way it made me feel so loved and cherished once again, by my husband of almost 29 years (in three days). The sunshine sky above us as we had lunch together. Visiting his office, looking around the room at the many family photos he had printed on canvas. Our little ones.

I’m in my grandma era. Brittnee gave me a sweatshirt for christmas that says so. I wore it last night because the nights are getting cooler. I miss the babies because they have gone on vacation together with their parents over the last week. How lovely it is to receive texts and photos on a daily basis. Lucy and Rorric dipping their toes in the ocean, the bright happy smiles of Jacob and Brittnee, and Brogan and Grace……I love that they can spend time and make memories together.

Ethan and Sierra are doing so well….they have been married for over a year now. They have a dog named Winter. I love them so much.

Caleb is in his second year of college at Liberty University. My darling son.

Seth is in 10th grade, Sarah in 9th. They even have a couple classes together this year. It seems to have given them something to bond over. I love hearing them ask each other about their work and teachers and assignments. Seth is playing football and Sarah is cheerleading; first game tonight! These two younger ones are now 14 and 15 and bring me so much delight and laughter in a day.

As for me, I am taking joy wherever I can reach for it. By God’s grace I don’t ever have to reach far, and often the joy just falls into my hands effortlessly. All this from thyroid medicine! I have to laugh at the difference it has made in my life….so thankful. I have energy again. I feel 10 years younger. Whether good or bad times, God has a way of working in our hearts and minds that makes use of the moments and days and years.

I read books, I feather my nest, enjoy nature, keep close to my circle of friends, went on a trip to NYC with Joanna last week, I cook and clean, and I’m saying and enthusiastic yes to life…..the life God gave to me, eternal life that in some ways began the day I was born and will never end.

PS, oops one more family member to write about—I realized after I posted that I didn’t mention Dave. So here I am to remedy the oversight. David is home and doing great. He’s working for fed ex and is also very helpful when I need an extra driver to run errands. he has a girlfriend named Natalie and she’s a wonderful girl.