Thanksgiving

It is early Thanksgiving morning and I have much to be thankful for. Unlike many friends, I have a loving husband and a good marriage. I have parents and siblings who care about one another and support each other. Chris and I are able to afford a cozy house filled with candles and music and regularly have food on the table. This is much more than many.

I spent months in a career crisis with no direction. I was unhappy with my current job but couldn't seem to land a job anywhere else. I was questioning my desire to practice social work. I finally landed a few job interviews and as the saying goes, "When it rains, it pours."

I was offered a position at a brand new beautiful hospital as the oncology social worker. I already work on call for the hospital one to two weekends a month. Then I was offered a job with the VA hospital where Chris works. Finally, I received a call from a well known attachment therapist who asked if I would join his private practice and eventually take over his practice when he retired in a few years. After talking with Chris, my parents, and God, I decided to accept the position at the VA. I start on Monday.

On a day when we are supposed to spend time contemplating all we have been blessed with and give thanks to God, He has made it especially easy this year.

Please pray for my friend

Chris and I found out that a close friend of ours was diagnosed with breast cancer today. She is just a few years older than me and has two young children. Chris works with her husband which is how we came to become friends with them. Without trying to put words to how this must feel for our friends, I would imagine that it is difficult for anyone else who hears the news and is close with this couple. For me, difficult doesn't come close to describing it.

Chris told me the news as work was ending and since then I haven't been able to stop crying and am grossly irritable. This dark cloud of sadness has encompassed my heart. Thankfully Chris had to work late so I can sit at home and process why this news is so devestating to me. For anyone who hears this news about a friend, your own mortality is considered. We all take some time to think about what it would look like if it happened to us. Regardless of my usual "I'm too sensitive" thoughts, I couldn't wrap my head around why this was having such a significant impact until a few minutes ago.

This news has been given to me before. I have been told I have cancer. I have been told it doesn't look good and that I will have to say goodbye to my friends. I have laid on the floor in despair listening on the other end of the phone while my parents listened to the doctor talk to them about how bad things looked for me. I have felt the feelings my friend is feeling. Although in social work we are always taught to never say "I understand," I DO understand what it is like to survive the day you are told you have cancer. It is a scary and lonely, and minutes pass that feel pregnant with hopelessness and despair.

A week later the doctors realized they were wrong and I was given my life back. That is where my understanding ends. That is where my love and passion for my friend will continue. Please pray for her.

Sapporo Ichiban

Chris and I were at the grocery store this evening...and for the third time today I might add. Granted the second of three visits wasn't our fault. On the first visit, the pharmacy failed to actually put my medicine in the bag I didn't think to check prior to arriving home. When I called, they informed me that a second visit would be necessary. The third visit was when Chris realized we didn't have an ingredient for the satee burgers he was making tonight.

As we were looking for the hard to find ingredient, I came across a childhood memory. When I was a kid, my mom would visit the local Asian Mart and buy a large box of Sapporo Ichiban. It was a household staple and a favorite of everyone in the family. Sapporo Ichiban is a good tasting version of Ramen noodles. It is a bit pricier costing $.59 a package compared to $.13. $.46 never tasted so good!

When I saw it, I KNEW we had to buy it. Chris said he had never experienced Sapporo Ichiban so I couldn't wait for him to try it. And of course, in true "I have the best husband ever" fashion, Chris loved it.

Childhood memories are the best!