The report on your last blood reading was discouraging and certainly not what any of us wanted to hear.

I can only echo and not say as well as many others have said, particularly Heidi and Tom in their recent comments. Others have praised you for your amazing spirit and determination in this very long struggle. I affirm that also. You have been an amazing inspiration and model to all who know you and read your blog.

I hope you have a good Thanksgiving with your family. God’s peace and steadfast love will accompany you in the coming days.

In peace and love

Jerry

I am sure these days are dark – a diminishing score on the blood tests leads us on down the path of watchful expectancy that Dr. Hutchin’s describes. Tonight I cry and pray and as I think of your words I think of these as well –

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light”
(Isaiah 9:2/Matthew 4:16)

Peace to you today and everyday, oh most beloved mother whom I adore, peace.

Heidi

The bad economic times hit my company today. Six of my teammates lost their jobs, but God graciously allowed me to keep mine. So many people are struggling financially around the world right now.

Regarding your mask, you can always tell people that you are commemorating the 90th anniversary of the 1918 flu pandemic! What a terrible time that must have been. Back in those days, it would have been unthinkable to go out without wearing a mask. It is great that you are making the necessary adjustments to keep your life as normal as possible. I am reading a book called Deep Survival. The people who refuse to give up, but rather think creatively and look for alternative solutions are the ones who have the best chance of survival in a disaster or accident. So keep on keeping on!

I have taken up a new activity — clogging. It is a happy dance, and I love the sound of the taps on the floor. Of course, I have only learned very simple steps, at a very slow speed. So I am not yet ready for a dance competition!

God watch over you and keep you strong. You are in my prayers!

Love you,
Mindy

1 – Certainly enjoyed the food descriptions and shots on your prior post. We are, however, waiting for J-P to figure out how to make the smells available to us (hungry) readers.

2 – We though of you and your spouse (no, Alphie, not you – you didn’t get to go) the other Sunday afternoon at an early music concert on the Concordia/Irvine campus. Rather than the large hall where Charles played, this was in a small chapel (150 seats) which is perched on the edge of the hill that the campus sits on. As the evening arrived, we could see the “final approach” planes lined up to land at the OC/John Wayne airport – nice, curious contrast w/ Vivaldi, Corelli, an archlute, etc.!!

3 – “Watch and Pray” appears on this post. It is absolutely the case that you and those around you are very central to our daily watchful and prayerful thoughts. The season does bring some darkness, but it also brings many kinds of closeness, even to those whom you have never met.

4 – This weekend is a chamber concert at UCLA’s Royce Hall. It will include the Mendelssohn String Octet, which we sort of know (but have been listening again thanks to Naxos.com).

5 – The LA fires did not affect us, although our hearts are with those 1,000+ plus households who know longer have a place to live. It continues very dry, but a little cooler and less windy. Unfortunately, the rains don’t usually arrive until late February – it is going to be a very difficult time.

6 – Your new mask would be a lot of useful if one could adjust the lower part of the face to mirror one’s mood of the moment!!! Maybe 5-6 basic face expression settings would do it.

Life does go on, and you people (AND DOG!) are in our hearts and most spiritual thoughts,

dick and susan gale, laguna woods, CA