The Most Important Things I Learned While Recouperating

I want to mention what I learned about kindness, thoughtfulness and service.  We spent 2 weeks in Seattle, the first week in the hospital where I received phone calls, emails, visits, flowers and cards--so many good wishes--so many people taking time to send love my way.  I told Duane I won't need a funeral, I've already had so many kind words!

Duane was so helpful.  It must have been a little boring for him to go back and forth so many times to the hospital.  Sometimes I just needed a hand to hold and he was always there.  Jeff and Missy drove up from Corvallis to visit, that meant everything.

Then we spent a week with DeFord and Charlene (Duane's brother and sister-in-law)--they moved us into their bedroom so I would be as comfortable as possible.  They waited on me hand and foot, they are such dear friends, it was so nice to be out of the hospital.  I had had very difficult "roommates" there.

Brett had substituted at Seminary for me while I was gone, one day he had the kids make a huge poster with lots of sweet, encouraging messages and wishes.  Brett's family made a hundred paper hearts and another big sign and they, with Teresa, had cleaned and decorated the house, filled it with flowers--coming home was pretty thrilling!  THAT'S when I cried!

One of the sisters I visit teach brought me dinner--but not just dinner, there was a cute card, she wrapped a fancy chocolate, brought a little hand-quilted wall hanging, she washed and cut up strawberries--she had put such thought into this meal, gone way beyond what I've ever done when taking a meal to someone.

The lessons:  I can be way more thoughtful and helpful.  A call is so nice--doesn't have to be any longer than to say I'm thinking of you.  I can take much more care when taking a meal to someone.  A card is so nice--all these simple things show someone cares.