Celebrate!

Happy 1st Birthday!

Well, it's almost been a year since my stem cell transplant on February 1, 2011, the same day that Chicago was hit by the largest blizzard in recent years. I remember a very ordinary medical procedure becoming a very moving experience with the blessing of the stem cells by the hospital chaplain in a circle of believers that included my very special nurse--Audrey, the chaplain, the medical technician, Terri, and me. I felt truly blessed when Audrey told me that she had prayed for me the night before. Doubly blessed that day. In many ways it was the beginning of my new life and I learned while going through the preparation for the procedure that many patients think of it as their new birthday.

Last night, Terri and I went out to dinner at Red Lobster with Elizabeth and Michael and ended up celebrating my new birthday--or, at least, Michael told our server that we were when the server asked if there was any special occasion for our night out. And, to our surprise, the server and staff serenaded us with a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday with a candle in my Key Lime pie and a menu signed by all the servers. What could have been more special? Hope you like the picture taken last night. Not sure why my cheeks look so rosy!

Thanks, Elizabeth and Michael, for reminding us of that special blessed time.

And thank you to all of you who have prayed and supported us in so many ways over the past year.

Peace to you all.