Apologies and Gratitude

      My dear faithful blog reading friends, I do apologize for having slipped off the radar for a whole week. It was not my intention, nor ever is, to just disappear without a word, but sadly, I had a rough week of sickness. Don't know if any of the rest of you have been hit with a flu/cold-like bug that totally wipes you out for week, but that is where I have been. It started with a scratchy throat for about 3 days and then it hit big time the 4th day. Heavy chest, sore throat, filled up head, a cough that doesn't want to quit and usually contributes a lot of yellow-green gunk to the garbage that lasted a good 5 days and then started to slow down! Hahaha! Hopefully my vivid description doesn't turn you off from reading the rest. I promise that is the worse of it, except for the waking up with eyes sealed with gunk as well. And my final blows of the runs to the toilet for one day! (And, yes, a double meaning there!) BUT I think, at least I hope, I am on the rebound now and will be back to normal, whatever normal is, tomorrow at the latest. 

     Another very difficult part for me of this bug was the mental depression that tried to settle in and take over. It actually did a few times because I felt so miserable all I could think of was all the things I have failed at and how I need to do better, BUT do I have it in me to do so?!?!?! I DID get really down on me, but then I am good at that. Anyone that knows me well, knows I have practiced this ability a lot and am very good at beating me up. And so that made this sickness double worse, for sure. And even though I will probably struggle with this weakness all my life, I keep telling myself, I can't quit. I gotta keep trying. And although it is easier to do so some days than others, I gotta make sure I do.

     AND so to end this rather yucko depressing blog I DO want to finish on a good note. As I have felt all the above I have also tried to think of all the blessings and good things in my life. Granted, at times like these last several days, it is harder, but it is never impossible. Even if it is just the thought of  a warm patch of sunshine to sit in, a cool glass of water to moisten the dry throat, a whole hour without coughing, being able to sleep through the night without a cough or bathroom call,  and kneeling in prayer to thank the Lord for one more day to try and get me right! Yes, sometimes even the tiniest thing can be a blessing, but we have to focus in order to see them OR even think them. I am truly blessed with so many things, large and small: I was born to a good loving family and I still have siblings who love and care for one another and are patient with our imperfections. I have had so many people throughout my life who have helped and blessed me: family, friends, teachers, leader, neighbors, and sometimes a total stranger that just gives you a friendly smile. I have also had many animal friends who have helped me learn and grow along the way. And I still have so many wonderful people in my life as well. I am blessed with 5 wonderful, supportive sons, their dear wives and my awesome grandchildren. I have the privilege and honor of living in the house I grew up in that is filled with so many wonderful memories. And what a beautiful world God created for us to enjoy and, right now, I am grateful for a body that works as well as it does AND is feeling better each day! 

     YES, there is something to always be grateful for and I just hope I can keep remembering it all when I have to face another difficult day, week, month, year, or whatever I am called upon to deal with. And may I just thank each of you who read my blogs and support my thoughts, even the silly weird ones! I love and appreciate each of you and pray that the Lord's blessings will also help see you through your trials, tests, and challenges in this life!!!