How often do you stop what you are doing and just enjoy the simple pleasures given to us each day? A sunrise, a sunset, a rainbow…. Whenever this happens to me, I say a quick prayer of thanks, and then I often call one of my best friends, Gloria, to share in God’s glory. I once crossed a bridge while driving in California, and from my vantage point, I could see the beautiful Pacific coast. It was breathtaking, so I called at that very moment to share it with her. 

Another unique part of our friendship is that Gloria and I both have a passion for singing. The funny thing is, she sings with open abandon, but often times it’s really hard to pick up the tune she’s laying down. So I have to stop her mid-sentence to say, “Wait. Start again, and maybe I will guess it this next time. Nope. I have no idea what you are singing.” Then we laugh so hard because she is truly thinking she has perfect pitch. In her head it sounds perfect anyway. Then, I Google the song, and indeed I’ve heard it before. It just didn’t sound the same when she sang it. 

This week, I received a text from Gloria that reminded me of simple pleasures for which we should be grateful. The moment I received it, I knew I would share it with all of you. It’s just that good. It went something like this. 

Gloria visits with her mom, Lu, at the IHM in Monroe almost every evening. Her sweetheart of a mom is there in assisted living, full-time now. Living with dementia for several years now, Lu is one of the loveliest, kindest women I know. Gloria is so appreciative that her mom is thankful, joyful and so loving. While visiting her this week, Gloria had the honor of eating dinner with her mom and four nuns, also living at the IHM. As one might expect, the nuns were discussing the beauty of Gloria’s name and the angel Gloria. 

1st nun: Breaks out into song and sings the Gloria part of “Angel’s We Have Heard on High.” 2nd nun: That was real pretty. Let’s sing a Christmas carol that all of us could sing. 1st nun: Gloria, you start the song for us since you’re the angel. Gloria: Starts singing “Silent Night,” and they all join in. 1st nun: That was beautiful. 3rd nun: Let’s sing another one. “How about Silent Night”? Gloria: Starts to sing it again. 2nd nun: That was beautiful. Let’s sing one more. 3rd nun: How about “Silent Night”? 1st nun: Oh I love that one. Gloria: Begins singing “Silent Night” again. Everyone is singing with gusto!

They all finish, and one of the nuns pipes up and thinks they should sing just one more Christmas carol before dinner. 2nd nun: How about “Silent Night” this time? 1st nun: I think we sang that one already, but we could sing it again. Gloria: Begins singing “Silent Night” and the nun choir, and her mom all join in. 

It’s moments like this that makes one appreciate the simple pleasures in life. Dave hitting Day 100 after his latest transplant is not just a simple pleasure. Today is monumental and one that we are abundantly grateful.

…for we have been blessed in so many ways.

Dave made a profound announcement last week that made me grateful, prayerful and joyful. He said, “We are able to have another Thanksgiving and Christmas together.”

One can only rejoice when thinking of the past year and where perseverance, determination and prayer have taken us. It’s been a year that has humbled us. It’s been a year that has brought us and those who we love to our knees. And, it’s been a year that has given us miracles beyond measure. 

As we approach this special season of thankfulness, prayerfulness and festiveness, looking back on this past year reminds us to keep looking ahead. 

We are thankful for the nurses and doctors who never once doubted our determination to make it to the holidays this year. I believe they all understood the grit we have and the “never say die” attitude. I know that might have made you wince, but it could not be more true. 

We have never hidden our faith and our belief in the power of prayer. If you said one prayer, or if you said 100 prayers, you proved your faith and the power it holds. When we crumbled in immense grief and succumbed to “thy will be done,” it only gave us the momentum to move forward and follow His direction. We continue to pray and place our faith in the One who guides us. 

Never short of celebrating the miracles we have experienced along this journey, we look to the coming month with anticipation. It’s an important one in so many ways. The clinical trial to heal his mouth sores will conclude Saturday. Thanksgiving will be a celebration for all that we are thankful. Being that Dave will be able to eat anything and everything is a bonus. His blood counts are still solid, and he is gaining the much needed weight and strength that were zapped from his body during this entire ordeal.  

We will also look to November 29 as a milestone – Day 100. But, December 7 will go down in history for a different reason. It will be Day 108 after the transplant, which is one day beyond our hopes of many more holidays together. Each day thereafter is truly a gift, including the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ on Christmas morning. Another gift. 

The festiveness of another Thanksgiving and Christmas together cannot be put into words. It is one of our greatest gifts that we have received. 

We celebrate all that was and look forward to all that will be. 

Have you seen the commercial where the Maytag man is kneeling in the laundry room personifying a washer and also a dryer? A woman doing the laundry hits an imaginary button on his shoulder and he turns into this Hulk of a washer. Right before our eyes, the Maytag man becomes muscle-bound. The superhuman could probably take on the likes of a king size comforter that needs washing. Or maybe he represents a hefty load of about 14 beach towels. 

I know that I have referred to Dave as the energizer bunny, Superman and other things. But this week, he’s the Maytag man. The clinical trial medicine has mended his mouth, and the sores have virtually disappeared. His appetite is enormous, and he is making up for lost time. One would think every meal I serve is his favorite. 

In just 21 days, he has gained almost 20 pounds. After going nearly 11 weeks without eating anything substantial, Dave’s appetite has taken on a new perspective. Weighing in at 180 (still 30 pounds below his normal weight), his color is far from being a dull gray, his energy level has rocketed, and his voice has the pep of the Michigan marching band. At this rate, he will soon mirror the Maytag man, who is always ready to take on the toughest of jobs. 

The holidays are approaching, and I know that some Christmas lists are pretty interesting. On my list is a washer and dryer – for real. Wouldn’t it be cool to wake up to a washer and dryer with a big red bow on it? I know I won’t be that lucky. But, I am feeling blessed that “my” Maytag man is finally showing positive signs toward recovery. And by Christmas, Dave will be ready and willing to help me with laundry – along with much, much more.