Heartfelt Moments

No surprise talk around the proverbial water cooler today centered around the horrific turn of events at the Monday Night Football game last night. I had just finished blogging and went out to the livingroom when hubby explained why the game was suspended.

The Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (No. 3) collapsed after a tackle and had to be revived on the field via CPR. That part is scary enough. But then learning he's only 24 – the same age as our baby – made it really tough to take. Then to later learn it was due to cardiac arrest was unreal. He's so young!

As if sensing my despair and worry, our 24-year-old called me tonight just to check in. He updated me on the wedding he stood up in this weekend – he cleans up pretty good – and how Christmas went down in Alabama at his girlfriend's dad's. 

And we talked about Damar, too.

I reminded him that the timing was uncanny because I was just talking about how a year ago today, my niece's husband went into ER for a ruptured aorta and was in surgery for 15+ hours, then sedated for what seemed like endless days. While that was happening, we were also fervently praying for our brother-in-law Paul to recover from his latest heart issues. 

I can totally relate to the family and friends and fans praying for No. 3. The unknown is scary. The possible outcomes can be even scarier.

In our family's case, Paul didn't make it, but my niece's husband did recover in time for them to welcome their second son in the summer. Such a blessing!

We don't know the outcome for this young ball player but it certainly was a needed reminder that there are things far more important than sports. And that life can change on a dime.

Live it to its fullest – today and every day.

Be careful out there. And hug your loved ones!

It's Gratitude Month

I feel so behind. I realized today that it's November, which I always observe as Gratitude Month. As this lovely illustration shows, some days I need a crap-ton of coffee to get that gratitude train a-chuggin'.

Today I am grateful for health. That even though my heart is hurting, I am physically OK. Even though hubby is recovering from surgery, he's going to be OK. And hopefully more mobile.

We just have to look at all the people we're praying for and we know we're grateful that for this moment in time, we don't carry their health burdens. We don't have cancer or a child with cancer, we don't have diabetes, we don't suffer from dementia or osteoporosis, we don't have COVID (long or short), we don't have crippling diseases like MS or even fibromyalgia. We aren't recovering from a miscarriage, heart attack, stroke, or rare infection.

We're just plugging along and thanking God that for today, we've got it pretty good in that department. We also know, from very recent experience, that it could all change in the blink of an eye.

So thank you, Lord, for our health. Today.

#gratitudemonth

Pre-Summer Status Update

 Just a little status update on things...

So here we are on the first Monday in June and I need to include the current state of affairs for my future self to see. Yup, gas in Wisconsin Rapids is $4.89 a gallon. 

Which wouldn't be the worst thing if my "Days out of office" number could keep rising. But it's only going to get to 830.

Because the other tally going on a different calendar is the countdown to my return to office. Eight stinkin' days. Next week at this time, I'll be going to bed early so I remember how to get up to an early alarm again. 

And gas prices are rising just in time for my half-hour commute. And a pound of hamburger is nearly $6 – just in time for summer grilling season. Good stuff. 

At least we have our health. Which, after having the dreaded virus, we don't take for granted either.

Be careful out there!

Saying So Long to 2021

Probably fitting that on the last day of a somewhat poopy year, we lose a favorite icon. Betty White died, just shy of her 100th birthday. And she was feisty and funny to the end. Amazing.

She's had some good quotes over time and I like this one pictured. It epitomizes why my blog is called On the Light Side. Find the humor and the light side of things and it will get you through the dark or just plain dreary times.

Like 2021. For many, anyway.

It was definitely an interesting 365 days. Some challenges, of course. And weird "new normal" things I'm not quite ready to accept as normal just yet. Working from home, for one. Is it ironic in a peculiar way or simply scary way that today marks the 666th day at home? Not even kidding. Uff da. 

Let's focus on some positives instead! Had an amazing trip to Alaska this year plus fun weekends with sisters and friends. Jim and I had a great time at the Ryder Cup and golfed together a few times, too. Mostly, we had our own golf buddies and that was fine.

Somehow, knock on wood, we stayed healthy. Our kids did, too. At least as far as avoiding the big virus. Hoping that continues in 2022.

The one thing we really appreciated in 2021 over 2020 was finally getting to see people again – and actually hug them! It took 'til July but we finally had the first gathering of my family since December of 2019. That seems so unbelievable. Will never take that freedom to socialize for granted again.

We did lose some people in our lives this year – on both sides of our family – and there were a few close calls, too, but thankfully the power of prayer worked in those instances. We also welcomed some new life into our family – again, on both sides (one great-nephew and one great-niece). How exciting that life and love prevail!

We also managed to stay up until midnight two nights this year. Just kidding. It's 11:06 p.m. and I don't think I'll make it. We did have a fun evening gathering after 4 p.m. church in Rudolph with other members of the guitar choir. Lots of food, laughter, and singing to serenade the old year out of existence and ring in the new year. 

Happy New Year!

No Pain, No Gain

Well my lucky shirt did not hold off the vaccination side effects all that long. Did last to the 12-hour post-shot mark OK. But hours 13 through 24 were just plain awful.

Hubby and I are generally very healthy (knock on wood) so it's been years since I had anything resembling the flu. I forgot how much I hate it. I forgot what a wimp I am!

Just go down the checklist on the left up there – had both warmth and chills (fun combo), fatigue but I couldn't sleep (another fun combo), big time headache this morning, and oh the muscle and joint pain! That was the main reason I couldn't sleep. Couldn't get comfortable. And my left arm still hurts. So I slept in a bit this morning and started work late. Just couldn't move.

Jim had these side effects, too. But his arm didn't hurt as much since he exercised it yesterday. I'm going to predict one more rough night of sleep since we're definitely not at 100%. But as I said, any short-lived symptoms are worth going through for the end result. Keep your eye on the prize.

No pain, no gain!