It’s My Birthday…Yesterday!
04 Nov 2011 8 Comments
in Birthdays, Friendship, Gifts, Gratitude, Thank You, Uncategorized Tags: Birthday, Friends, Gifts, Gratitude, Thank You
When one gets to be an “older” woman….one prefers to pretend one’s birthday is just another day. However, secretly I am deeply grateful to my friends and family who went out of their way to make this a very special day.
I received some lovely emails today from some dear friends all the way from France and Belgium, a lovely note from my son and his wife, some from my nieces, many from needlework and quilting friends, other long-time friends, and sisters, Barb & Bonnie, Barb even sent me a some special internet gifts. And there were lots of special phone calls too and a video message from my new 4 month old granddaughter, Maya. I am SO humbled and grateful. Thank you to each of you.
I share with you some photos of other gifts I received in addition to the beautiful Eiffel Tower scissors and books I showed you last post. The other gifts must remain anonymous! Shhhhhh…I’ll never tell….Smile.
My SIL Judy, and friend, Kay, sent me this lovely teacup bouquet to brighten my day. Thanks again, Judy and Kay.
And what a surprise when Southpaw Stitcher made this lovely pincushion for me. It really says a LOT! Thank you so much Pat…yes, friendship DOES grow.
And My friend Jodi equally surprised me when she presented me with this lovely pincushion (filled with sand) handmade by a friend of hers. This one came all the way to me from Washington state. And isn’t this a beautiful card. Thank you Jodi…how kind and thoughtful to think of me while you were away!
I still do some computer work at home for the Augustinian priests and brothers and my boss, Fr. Mike, thoughtfully, sent me this plant with lovely lavender flowers along with a promise of prayers and Mass celebrated in my honor. Thanks so much…I miss all of you.
So you see…..amidst all the “to do” that one really doesn’t want to remember that one is ANOTHER year older…..it is really nice to be remembered. I SO appreciate all of the good wishes and prayers and gifts.
And I plan to keep on celebrating my birthday all month long. After all it comes only once a year….so celebrating for one full month is certainly in order!
Gratefully, Averyclaire
Happy Thanksgiving
26 Nov 2009 2 Comments
in Family, Friendship, Gratitude, Thank You Tags: Family, Friends, Gratitude, Thank You
For all of my blogging friends I am grateful on this special day. 
For my family…my husband, my children, my grandchildren, our extended families and ALL of our friends, we are grateful. We are grateful to be alive and well right now and happy. And we are grateful for our times of trial and illness which help us to see our days in a different light. I am even grateful for the job I sometimes wish I did not have, as so many people today have no job and desperately need one. I am grateful for the men and women who are serving in foreign countries to try to keep our world a safe place for all of us.
But most of all, I am grateful to God for the gifts of love and friendship he has given to each one of us.
In Gratitude….Thank you my friends, Averyclaire
Good News
17 Aug 2009 9 Comments
in Family, Friendship, Gratitude, Hope Tags: Family, Friends, Gratitude, Hope
It was a long week, but the news is good. They have removed all of the cancer present at this time. Perhaps there were angels watching over us. My DH will begin chemotherapy in September. It will last for seven weeks and then once a month for a year. It is a long road to complete recovery. And always looming over one’s head is the possibility of a reoccurence. But we are grateful for today and are hopeful for the future.
I confess to having a meltdown this week. I think I cried for five days straight. The emotions of the past months finally came out and wouldn’t stop. But I am fine now. And we are planning a two week vacation for ourselves soon. I need to be away from work and we both need to be away from doctors and hospitals.
Life is different now. It is what it is, but it does not mean that we cannot enjoy life and each other. I look forward to our time out west for a bit of rest and relaxation.
Thanks for all your notes and emails. I am grateful for your friendship. Averyclaire
Time for Reflection
25 Jul 2009 5 Comments
in Gratitude, Hope, Thank You Tags: Gratitude, Hope, Thank You
My husband is having a second surgery for his bladder cancer in a few weeks. Things are not the best they can be…but they are definitely not the worst either. Life somehow seems to have been put on hold and this cancer thing has consumed our lives. We are trying desparately to assimilate all the facts and options without becoming crazy with worry. It is difficult to say the least. I am still filled with hope for a good outcome in the end, but it is a long road we are facing. I ask all of you for as many prayers as possible.
Thank you to all of you who send comments and emails as they are much appreciated. This blogging world is absolutely amazing…what a comfort to find so many friends around the world.
In the meantime I find comfort in a crazed cleaning out of my sewing/art room. A purging, if you will, of all things unnecessary. Obviously a mental state that matches the excision of anything extraneous in my life as well. I am quite sure this is a perfect remedy for a soothing of the soul. Curling up with a good, light reading, book is also therapeutic. We continue our long four mile walks, we are eating as healthy as we can…also good for the mental and physical health. I am learning more patience…a blessing I am sure. And gratitude for small things has become overwhelming.
So once again…thank you to all my special friends out there. Gratefully yours, Averyclaire
Still Grateful
03 Jul 2009 14 Comments
in Flowers, Garden Tags: Botannical Garden, Gratitude
Yikes, three weeks have passed since my last post. Where did the time go? I have been busy planning healthy meals with no fat, no sugar, no red meat….etc. I have been walking daily after work….am up to four miles now and have been feeling pretty good. My dear husband has been wonderful in supporting me through this. But I must share with you another shock we have had in our life. Two weeks after my diagnosis, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. While we lived in a fog for a few days, we are very hopeful. He will have surgery in a couple of weeks and hopefully the news will be very affirming. I have learned to look at life very differently. While I still work, I no longer stress about my job. After work, my DH and I spend a lot of time togther talking, shopping for healthy fruits and veggies, and walking. We thoroughly enjoy every moment we share. Unfortunately the needlework and quilting have been set aside for other priorities. So if I don’t post too often, please know all is well. I continue to read all of your posts. I continue to let the Lord hold us up and bask in the warmth of His presence no matter what trials we face. We are grateful.
Last weekend William and I spent the day at the Chicago Botannical Gardens, so I share with you some of the lovely sights from this marvelous place. Enjoy.
