Hope Harbor

  Yesterday many were out hunting for bargains hoping to buy something for themselves or purchase that perfect gift for someone on their Christmas gift list. The day after Thanksgiving traditionally marks the start of the Christmas season. Retailers call the day “Black Friday” presumably in the hope that they will prosper on this busy shopping day.   I found myself feeling just a bit blue on this black Friday so I decided to search Netflix for a movie that just might lift my mood and get me into the “Holiday spirit” I browsed for a while skipping over Santa films and other silly flicks. I came upon the title The Heart of Christmas and I felt drawn to it.     The Heart of Christmas is a movie based on the true story of little Dax Locke and his battle with Leukemia. It is also about how one woman’s encounter with this family carrying for their precious child, transforms her faith and her attitude about her own family.   Th

I appreciated a recent Facebook post by a dear friend aboui black Friday: 'Black Friday' is certainly the right name for it. What if we renamed the day something less threatening and spent it making gifts for people on our lists or thinking about what our friends and family REALLY need? My special friend's comment prompted me to ponder.  It's funny but for the longest tome I was puzzled as to why the day after Thanksgiving starting the Christmas season would ever be referred to by such a gloomy name. I guess the reason retailers call it that is their hope that they would make profits and their budget would be be in the back rather than the red. But it is rather "dark" isn't it thst that is the focus. Anyway, I like the idea of making heartfelt gifts rather than the commercialization. We could start a movement. Rather than Black Friday, Blessing Friday. Instead of the stress of fighting crowds and battling for bargains, seek to identify or creat

Yesterday I posted about coming home from the hospital and the joy it is to be back in my very own house. The happiness was made even sweeter by the kindness and generosity of my talented friends who did an "extreme makeover" of my bedroom. I am so pleased with how it turned out, and of course very grateful for all of their labor. My words would be inadequate to describe how lovely it is and so insufficient to express my gratitude. As has been said, a picture is worth a thousand words. I now have some photos to share of my remodeled bedroom: New carpet, nightstand and curtains. Soothing new wall color      New dresser and mirror   I had this bookcase, but it seems to fit even better in the rennovated space. Long mirror is new too. New quilt and pillows. And that is my SureHands lift that gets me in and out of bed.     It is so pleasant and refreshing to have my new comfortable bedroom. As I am filled with thankfulness for the overha

  Many of you know that I have been away from home for a month. I had kidney surgeries on October 2 nd and 3 rd . I was discharged from the hospital and then spent a few weeks in rehabilitation to recover strength. I finally came home last week.   It is nice to be home. I am more comfortable and functional in my own environment. And it is good to be closer to many of my dear friends.   As you can imagine, I am also delighted to be reunited with my cat Bridget and of course my beloved canine companion Tanner! I must admit I was a bit nervous about reconnecting with Tanner because I was not entirely certain he would remember me. Then there was the worry that if he did recall, would he be miffed that I had “abandoned” him for so long. I am happy to report that those fears were unfounded. On the morning I was coming home, Tanner was brought to the Rehabilitation Institute so we could travel back to my house together. I was very eager to see him. As I came around the corner