The stage is set!
If we're not ready now, we never will be. The talk is done, all the food is packed into the cars and we're anxiously awaiting tomorrow morning and the start of a magnificent day.
Tonight we went out to dinner at our local Chinese restaurant with a large contingent of the family and had a great time! They have been so good to me and tonight they gave my wife and me a Scorpion Bowl for two and later on gave us some crab Rangoon. What a super drink! So super that we ordered a second one. Rest assured that I am not drunk nor will I have a hangover tomorrow. I am so grateful - but I feel so undeserving. I guess that that is something that I just have to overcome. Accept the fact that people would like to give me something and be gracious about it! Another lesson to be learned in life.
For all of you who won't be there tomorrow, know that you will be missed. You have been part of my support team and just know that I have appreciated it so much.
Otherwise, a quiet day. Kind of the calm before the storm. Kind of the calm before the storm so to speak.
Again, I will give you the address and time for tomorow....
Grace Episcopal Church
106 Lowell Street
Manchester, NH
Party time is 1:00
But I will be giving my talk at both the 8:00 and 10:30 services if you care to attend.
I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow...
Bob
February 19, 2010 11:45 PM 2 days to go!
I am so brokenhearted!
We heard this evening that the friend of ours who contracted leukemia about 4 months ago passed away this morning. She was so looking forward to being there on Sunday! Now we have to look at attending a funeral on Monday. It was three weeks ago today that we visited her and she was in great spirits and seemed well enough at the time to at least make it to the party. This tempers the joy of the weekend. But I really shouldn't say that because I know that she would not want me to feel that way. She was such a kind lady. We were planning on visiting her sometime this upcoming week and now it can never come to pass. A lady who quietly suffered from some very severe diseases for many years has finally found the peace that passes all understanding.
There were certainly many positive aspects to the day. I finally met with Janne from Norway who has made the trip here to specificallt be at the party. What a wonderful woman she is and, as I said yesterday, coming to know her has been one of the biggest blessings of this whole journey.
We went to dinner at my sister-in-law's tonight to kind of kick off the weekend. It is a time for great celebration for the family. We have so much to be thankful for that I feel as though I don't deserve it. Why have I been chosen to be treated so well? What is the reason?
May God rest your soul, Lee. You may be gone but you will never be forgotten...
Bob
We heard this evening that the friend of ours who contracted leukemia about 4 months ago passed away this morning. She was so looking forward to being there on Sunday! Now we have to look at attending a funeral on Monday. It was three weeks ago today that we visited her and she was in great spirits and seemed well enough at the time to at least make it to the party. This tempers the joy of the weekend. But I really shouldn't say that because I know that she would not want me to feel that way. She was such a kind lady. We were planning on visiting her sometime this upcoming week and now it can never come to pass. A lady who quietly suffered from some very severe diseases for many years has finally found the peace that passes all understanding.
There were certainly many positive aspects to the day. I finally met with Janne from Norway who has made the trip here to specificallt be at the party. What a wonderful woman she is and, as I said yesterday, coming to know her has been one of the biggest blessings of this whole journey.
We went to dinner at my sister-in-law's tonight to kind of kick off the weekend. It is a time for great celebration for the family. We have so much to be thankful for that I feel as though I don't deserve it. Why have I been chosen to be treated so well? What is the reason?
May God rest your soul, Lee. You may be gone but you will never be forgotten...
Bob
February 18, 2010 11:55 PM 3 days to go
She's here!
My internet kindred spirit from Norway has arrived. Since I was at choir practice tonight, I did not have the chance to connect with her. But, though she is a donor and I a recipient(she is not my donor), we shared a lot leading up to the moment when our respective events occurred. And after as well. I have really appreciated her support and have a lot of admiration for her for being a donor.
Having connected with one of my daughters, she is staying at her house until she leaves to visit friends in Rhode Island sometime next week.
That, obviously, was the big event of the day. It's actually more than that! It really is the big event of the year. For her to want to come to the states to see me is a gift that surpasses all others. To think that a little more than a year ago we were strangers half a world apart. There have been so many blessings along my journey and this is right up near the top.
God has been so good to me! Why?
Bob
My internet kindred spirit from Norway has arrived. Since I was at choir practice tonight, I did not have the chance to connect with her. But, though she is a donor and I a recipient(she is not my donor), we shared a lot leading up to the moment when our respective events occurred. And after as well. I have really appreciated her support and have a lot of admiration for her for being a donor.
Having connected with one of my daughters, she is staying at her house until she leaves to visit friends in Rhode Island sometime next week.
That, obviously, was the big event of the day. It's actually more than that! It really is the big event of the year. For her to want to come to the states to see me is a gift that surpasses all others. To think that a little more than a year ago we were strangers half a world apart. There have been so many blessings along my journey and this is right up near the top.
God has been so good to me! Why?
Bob
February 17, 2010 11:35 PM 4 days to go
Happy first rebirthday!
A year ago today, I had my bone marrow transplant. It's hard to believe but the year is over. Tonight, I had a mini-party with one of my daughters and her children. Of course, Sunday is the real deal to which I know that so many people are looking forward.
We went to church at noon today because it's Ash Wednesday. If what happened there is any indication of what is to happen on Sunday, it's going to be a very moving and emotional time for me. People were just so delighted to see my wife and me that hugs and kisses abounded. Fair warning for Sunday! I will have to go a little easy in this department because I do't want to catch anything. Please be aware that I am still on a small dose of immuno-supressants and, therefore, might be more succeptible to catching something than otherwise.
But it was a bittersweet day. For, during the sermon, the priest stated that our friend who is dying from leukemia was in the hospital. There was not enough information available to ascertain whether or not she can be there on Sunday. I know that she will do everything in her power to attend. I just pray to God that she can make for it would mean a lot to her and it would mean so much to me as well. Unfortunately, I really shouldn't be going to the hospital to visit her. But if that's the only way that I can see her, I'll put on a mask and gloves and go!
The sermon today was excellent by the way. Maybe it was moreso because Lent is a time of death and rebirth. "Remember from dust you came and to dust you shall return". And I could relate so well to it because that has been my life story for the past 16 months(were that it would have been only 40 days). I didn't know whether or not I would live or die. But live I did and today marks that first year of my rebirth!
Praise God...
Bob
A year ago today, I had my bone marrow transplant. It's hard to believe but the year is over. Tonight, I had a mini-party with one of my daughters and her children. Of course, Sunday is the real deal to which I know that so many people are looking forward.
We went to church at noon today because it's Ash Wednesday. If what happened there is any indication of what is to happen on Sunday, it's going to be a very moving and emotional time for me. People were just so delighted to see my wife and me that hugs and kisses abounded. Fair warning for Sunday! I will have to go a little easy in this department because I do't want to catch anything. Please be aware that I am still on a small dose of immuno-supressants and, therefore, might be more succeptible to catching something than otherwise.
But it was a bittersweet day. For, during the sermon, the priest stated that our friend who is dying from leukemia was in the hospital. There was not enough information available to ascertain whether or not she can be there on Sunday. I know that she will do everything in her power to attend. I just pray to God that she can make for it would mean a lot to her and it would mean so much to me as well. Unfortunately, I really shouldn't be going to the hospital to visit her. But if that's the only way that I can see her, I'll put on a mask and gloves and go!
The sermon today was excellent by the way. Maybe it was moreso because Lent is a time of death and rebirth. "Remember from dust you came and to dust you shall return". And I could relate so well to it because that has been my life story for the past 16 months(were that it would have been only 40 days). I didn't know whether or not I would live or die. But live I did and today marks that first year of my rebirth!
Praise God...
Bob
February 16, 2010 11:50 PM 5 days to go
Massage, massage!
That's what I continue to do to my talk for Sunday. I've massaged it so many times that I think that I've qualified to be a masseuse! But, truthfully, I've come across better ways to phrase what I think should be said. For those of you who will be there at either the 8:00 or 10:30 service, please don't think that this is going to be one of the most memorable speeches of all time. But I wanted to capture the complete essence of what has gone on over the past 16 months.
I will be revealing a few things that I have never mentioned before - not even in this blog! I'm just dangling that carrot out there to make you want to attend. God knows, the church can certainly use the increased attendance for the day.
We got a little snow today(first time in a month) and it ruined our opportunity to go to the Shrove Tuesday supper that they have at the church. The peak of the storm was exactly at supper time. Tomorrow being Ash Wednesday, we'll try to make the 12:15 service since we will be celebrating my actual rebirth anniversary tomorrow night. It's hard to believe, but the year is now at an end!
Praise God...
Bob
That's what I continue to do to my talk for Sunday. I've massaged it so many times that I think that I've qualified to be a masseuse! But, truthfully, I've come across better ways to phrase what I think should be said. For those of you who will be there at either the 8:00 or 10:30 service, please don't think that this is going to be one of the most memorable speeches of all time. But I wanted to capture the complete essence of what has gone on over the past 16 months.
I will be revealing a few things that I have never mentioned before - not even in this blog! I'm just dangling that carrot out there to make you want to attend. God knows, the church can certainly use the increased attendance for the day.
We got a little snow today(first time in a month) and it ruined our opportunity to go to the Shrove Tuesday supper that they have at the church. The peak of the storm was exactly at supper time. Tomorrow being Ash Wednesday, we'll try to make the 12:15 service since we will be celebrating my actual rebirth anniversary tomorrow night. It's hard to believe, but the year is now at an end!
Praise God...
Bob
February 15, 2010 11:35 PM 6 days to go
It's piling up!
Not the snow, but all the stuff that we've purchased for the party. So saying, we've started our long term weather watch for Sunay and the weekend and it looks good. Otherwise, my wife and I will be eating the party food from now till April!
Again, the party will start around 1:00 on Sunday at Grace Episcopal Church. For the 10:30 service attendees, I am sure that they will attend the after church coffee hour and just stay on as things roll forward to 1:00. The address is 106 Lowell St., Manchester, NH. It's really right at the corner of Lowell and Pine Streets. Feel free to use the adjoining parking lot even though it says permits required. It's Sunday, so there will be no problem.
My wife and I were trying to estimate the approximate attendance and we kind of stopped at 100. That assumes that all those who said that they would attend do so and I see no reason why they won't. Unfortunately, we know a number of other people who would have attended but for various reasons cannot make it.
To have so many people there will just blow my mind! My wife and I have so much to be thankful for and having so many friends is one of the biggest blessings that we can have in life. In life! How ironic, given that this is to be a big celebration of life and all the good things that it has to offer.
I am really looking forward to the day. It promises to be a fun time for all.
God has been so good to me...
Bob
Not the snow, but all the stuff that we've purchased for the party. So saying, we've started our long term weather watch for Sunay and the weekend and it looks good. Otherwise, my wife and I will be eating the party food from now till April!
Again, the party will start around 1:00 on Sunday at Grace Episcopal Church. For the 10:30 service attendees, I am sure that they will attend the after church coffee hour and just stay on as things roll forward to 1:00. The address is 106 Lowell St., Manchester, NH. It's really right at the corner of Lowell and Pine Streets. Feel free to use the adjoining parking lot even though it says permits required. It's Sunday, so there will be no problem.
My wife and I were trying to estimate the approximate attendance and we kind of stopped at 100. That assumes that all those who said that they would attend do so and I see no reason why they won't. Unfortunately, we know a number of other people who would have attended but for various reasons cannot make it.
To have so many people there will just blow my mind! My wife and I have so much to be thankful for and having so many friends is one of the biggest blessings that we can have in life. In life! How ironic, given that this is to be a big celebration of life and all the good things that it has to offer.
I am really looking forward to the day. It promises to be a fun time for all.
God has been so good to me...
Bob
February 14, 2010 11:10 PM 7 days to go
What a day!
As I mentioned yesterday, we went out to breakfast with my mother-in-law. That was not the highlight of the day, however.
During the afternoon, my daughter called and said that my grandson had won all of his preliminary wrestling matches in his division and was now to one of the finalists! Let me put this in perspective. This was the last regional meet of the season and was for the state championship. As I had mentioned in earlier posts, in prior regional meets he had been eliminated real early and did not place anywhere. So today's results were not to be expected.
Given that the meet was in the next town, my wife and I went over to the town high school to catch the final match. After an hour and a half, his match finally started and it did not start well. His opponent took him down early and seemed headed for a sure pin. But my grandson soon reversed his position and soon thereafter pinned him! What a glorious moment! He received a trophy saying that he was a state wrestling champion and we all received a memory for a lifetime! What a thrill!
Needless to say, he was extremely happy. Needless to say, at moments like this, I thank God that I am around to see them! I don't necessarly look at each day as a gift - though we all should. But, I do look at special events and happenings and realize how precious they are to our lives. I know that any joy that the day brought could have been tempered by the fact that I wasn't around to witness it.
So what started out as somewhat of a quiet Valentine's Day ended up to be one of the most exciting days that I have experienced on my road to recovery. These are the days that make you glad to be alive and push you forward. To see the joy and happiness of my grandson and his parents - it was priceless.
I really had no idea what I would be writing about tonight - but God always seems to provide.
Thank you God...
Bob
As I mentioned yesterday, we went out to breakfast with my mother-in-law. That was not the highlight of the day, however.
During the afternoon, my daughter called and said that my grandson had won all of his preliminary wrestling matches in his division and was now to one of the finalists! Let me put this in perspective. This was the last regional meet of the season and was for the state championship. As I had mentioned in earlier posts, in prior regional meets he had been eliminated real early and did not place anywhere. So today's results were not to be expected.
Given that the meet was in the next town, my wife and I went over to the town high school to catch the final match. After an hour and a half, his match finally started and it did not start well. His opponent took him down early and seemed headed for a sure pin. But my grandson soon reversed his position and soon thereafter pinned him! What a glorious moment! He received a trophy saying that he was a state wrestling champion and we all received a memory for a lifetime! What a thrill!
Needless to say, he was extremely happy. Needless to say, at moments like this, I thank God that I am around to see them! I don't necessarly look at each day as a gift - though we all should. But, I do look at special events and happenings and realize how precious they are to our lives. I know that any joy that the day brought could have been tempered by the fact that I wasn't around to witness it.
So what started out as somewhat of a quiet Valentine's Day ended up to be one of the most exciting days that I have experienced on my road to recovery. These are the days that make you glad to be alive and push you forward. To see the joy and happiness of my grandson and his parents - it was priceless.
I really had no idea what I would be writing about tonight - but God always seems to provide.
Thank you God...
Bob
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