I appreciate:

1. Having Katie home. It is so nice to have the whole family around right now.
2. The way cancer teaches/inspires/requests gentleness. We are all so much gentler with ourselves and each other right now.
3. The daisies! These are the flowers I bought for Pat right before our ER trip 2 weeks ago — and they’re still sending their happy vibes into our home. 🙂

I appreciate:

1. Adrenaline, which is, apparently, what’s gotten me through the past couple weeks. 😛
2. My big purple couch, which is the perfect place to collapse when the adrenaline has left my system. 😉
3. The prospect of a whole evening of collapsing after we get home from the biopsy today. Tonight we’re gonna rock the Valentine’s Day sweats/movie/snuggle on the couch scene!

I appreciate:

1. That we’re starting the experimental improv segment in HUGE 501. So far, I’ve loved all the exercises and scenes we’ve done. Yay for brand new things!
2. The Christmas lights still up in the kitchen. Their soft light cheered me up when I woke up (too early, anxious) this morning. (It was darker then!)
3. Oh, and the fact that it’s getting light out at 7 in the morning now. Longer days. Hallelujah! 🙂

I appreciate:

1. The generosity and kindness we encounter at every turn these days. This morning, all 3 cars were being ticketed (snow emergency) when we ran out to move them. Pat explained that we’d been at the hospital all day yesterday because we just found out he has cancer. The traffic cop shook his hand, offered his sympathy, and left us with no tickets at all. ♥
2. GF Wildberry waffles.  Yummy!
3. A day at home: no tests, no medical jargon, no waiting. Just work, cleaning, and napping. Bliss!

I appreciate:

1. Internet in waiting rooms, my laptop, and a bit of work waiting to be done. Makes today sooooooo much easier.
2. Being part of such loving, generous communities. The energy and love coming our way is truly astonishing. Seriously, y’all. You are the best. ♥
3. The interpreter sitting with the man across the room. He seems so generous and kind – and appears to be helping the other man feel so much more comfortable under what must be very trying circumstances. I love seeing evidence of people’s big-heartedness around me.

I appreciate:

1. That Gracie Dog slept until after 7 this morning. Yay for “sleeping in”! 😉
2. Hand lotion. A very nice remedy for dry hands.
3. Daisies. The yellow ones I got for Pat last week still look beautiful. Thanks for lasting so long, flowers!

I appreciate:

• I sooooo appreciate my parents for being so generous, supportive, and generally wonderful. Today I appreciate them coming over to help us with some projects — and for bringing gluten-, dairy-free goodies with them! What sweethearts. 🙂
• I also appreciate Katie, who helped us all morning and then made me lunch. Mmmmmm tuna sandwich.
• I also appreciate the lovely distraction this afternoon of watching Ellis perform on Prairie Home Companion!! Makes it so much easier to keep a positive attitude. 🙂
• Oh, and I appreciate CaringBridge, for making it easy for us to keep folks (who want to be) updated. You can read about our journey here.

I appreciate:

1. Pearls. Katie and I had fun designing a new pearl necklace for her — I’d forgotten how much I like to play with pearls!
2. This Dick Van Dyke video Sigrid posted. It really brightened my morning!! ♥
3. My new red belt, which makes me feel sort of pretty and strong. Very nice for today, since I’m nervous about our appointment with the oncologist. 🙂

I appreciate:

1. All the good news & funny stuff you posted yesterday (and the calls and texts, too!) I needed it. You all are superstars. ♥
2. Knowing that I can ask for what I need. With friends as generous and loving as y’all, I so often I end up getting it!
3. Feeling optimistic and hopeful. Yesterday’s wave of pessimism and hopelessness makes today’s return to my regularly scheduled self feel even sweeter. 😉

Today I appreciate improvisers.

1. I am so deeply grateful to be part of this improv community. It has provided me hours and hours of entertainment, a chance to grow and stretch in brand new ways, and a host of new friends.
2. I especially appreciate my classmates in HUGE 501 and partners in the Urbane Gorillas. Thank you, provmates, (to steal a Dan-ism) for being so inspiring, for being vulnerable and trying new things, and for your unbelievable kindness.
3. I appreciate y’all more than you know. ♥