Hello Again

The news from the Merrill household is better, but less newsworthy.  Because Roger and I are busier now with life, we will only update the blog once a month.

First this thought:  Remember at this time of year that, although we have snow and ice on the ground, spring will happen.  There will be pussy willows and forsythia and primroses in our neighborhood too -- eventually.  Then daffodils and tulips will lead us into early summer.  It will happen.

And now the news:  Roger was strong enough to shovel the two feet of snow we had in January.  That's a considerable amount of physical work for a guy who was so shaky on his feet just a year ago.  There is no sign of leukemia, he's got some slight chronic GVH that we'll have to learn to live with, but he doesn't seem to be impaired by it.  His appetite is excellent.  The tables are turned; he's taking care of me these days by doing a lot of the household chores and almost all the cooking.  And, he's becoming quite a good cook I might add.  He even bakes bread!  How could any woman ask for more?

I am still with UM's School of Extended and Lifelong Learning, but in a new position, with a steep learning curve. And I am taking two courses in my MPA program this semester.  I say this not to make excuses for my busy-ness, but because I am so determined to complete the program this year.  I invite you hold me to that resolution.

We are following a new blog....another fond virtual friend in the world of bone marrow transplants.  And, although we've never met in person, we send positive thoughts and energy to Mary Ellen Lanham and her Mom in Seattle, just 10 days post-transplant.  We follow their story day by day and are inspired by it.  That's right - we'd like to inspire others and yet we find they inspire us!  If you're so inclined, check out their blog: http://mary-elizabethsbump.blogspot.com/

And finally, I'll finish up by sharing a poem that I lifted from Mary Ellen and her Mom.  I love this. Samuel Green is, I believe, the poet laureate of Washington State.  To all my friends in Seattle...why didn't you ever tell me about him?

Oct. 18 New York City

On the subway an old

Polish man takes me in charge,

rides two stops past his own

to make certain I find

the right place to get off.  When I try

to thank him, he shakes his head

no, forget it.  No one, he says,

should be lost when someone else

knows the way.