Friday Five: Good Things

Deb brings today's Friday Five for RevGalBlogPals:


In these last few weeks there's been all kinds of bad news. Tornadoes and a blizzard. Gun violence and a legislative body squabbling like toddlers over budgets, health care and who knows what else. For those of us in the US, it's tax season. Yuck.

We're only in the second week of Lent. Easter's a long way off. And here in the Mid-Atlantic region, the weather can't seem to make up its mind. Is it winter? Is it spring? Will it snow? Will it rain? Are my daffodils doomed if they actually BLOOM next week like they are threatening to?

So this week's Friday Five is courtesy of my good friends Frodo and Sam. Tell me 5 things that are good in our world. Or your world. Photos are a bonus.

1. Better Health:  The past two years have been a struggle with adjusting to the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and the medicines for that, along with shoulder surgery in January 2012. I am relieved that the pain and fatigue of RA is rarely present so that my rheumatologist and I are in the process of reducing my meds to determine the lowest amount I need to stay comfortable. This is a very slow process--in two month increments as that is when my scheduled check-ups occur. Thus far, my weekly dose of methotextrate has been reduced by three pills from the maximum amount of eight.

I am feeling much better and oddly my hair seems to be reflecting it: It's not curly anymore and is back to the way it used to look!

2. My Family: I could have filled the rest of the four categories by designating (2) My Husband; (3) My Children; (4) My Children's Spouses; and (5) My Grandchild, but I am lumping them all together to stretch my gratitude reflection to further reaches.

Avery

I am fortunate to be married to Chuck since 1971. He is a good man, who knows how to do almost anything, especially around our house. He works harder than anyone I know and always has. I think his family ethic of work has transferred to our children.

I am lucky to have four children between the ages of 32 and 22, who are good people with interesting jobs. Two are married to two nice people who add much to our family. AND we all love our amazing 2 year old Avery!

3. Chuck's Parents: Although an end of one form of life has come for Chuck's parents since they are leaving their only home, they are starting a new chapter in their lives in an assisted living residence. It is a relief to their children that they will be in a smaller place with care available when needed. They are moving into an apartment with potential for more care. They are social people who will find new friends in close proximity.

I am really grateful that daughters in Seattle (AE and KA) brought daughter MJ from Seattle to Bellingham to visit Grandma and Grandpa last weekend. They picked MJ up at Sea-Tac airport and drove up there for a visit, which was so nice of all of them.

Grandma, Grandpa, and MJ last weekend

 4. Trip to WA and UT: During Chuck's spring break from teaching at the local community college, he and I will travel to cold, rainy Washington to visit Chuck's parents and his family and help with the move as we can.We'll be there for one week and then on the way back, I'll get to spend a weekend in Salt Lake City with MJ, who is going to school there.

5. Friends: I am rich in friends. I'll be able to see long-time friends when I am in Seattle. Three of them were bridesmaids in Chuck's and my wedding way back in 1971. But I knew them before that in high school and college. I talk every Sunday with a friend I met in junior high in Japan and with whom I have made some wonderful trips--Nancy. And I have friends through parents of my children and through both churches I have belonged to in Corpus Christi, plus blogging friends!

Here is a small group of spiritual friends from both churches and also a glimpse of when I had curly white hair (back in September 2012):

Pam, Katherine, Jan, Mary Tom, Paige, Louise, Joan