LOVE and Gratitude

Hello Family and Friends

The fourth week of Advent marks the lighting of the fourth candle -- the LOVE candle. Two friends were part of reading the Advent Liturgy with Isabel for the fourth candle. 

As we consider the fourth candle in the Circle of Light, we continue to dwell in gratitude for the Gift of Love that has come in so many forms to Mum through people who love their work and how they serve the world, and those that show acts of love towards their family and friends. 

We are grateful for: 

* visitors -- neighbours,  friends, and nieces and nephews who converse with Mum about the questions that she helped identify on her Visitors' Discussion Board. (Have you signed the Visitors' Book?  What are you doing for the Christmas Season?  What's new in Abernethy? Will you have a chocolate? How is your family?)

* an English pen-pal whom Mum has never met but who writes every few weeks -- and whose gift of English currency means Mum now has a lovely small Christmas tree in her room

* a florist who heard about Mum and sent a bundle of fresh pine, spruce, and cedar so Mum could experience some of the smells of Christmas

* a particularly attentive nurse who introduced Mum to Paul Potts (the opera singer who won England's equivalent of Canadian Idol) by bringing her CD for Mum to listen to one Sunday. Check out "Paul Potts"  on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/  for a delightful story of overcoming difficulty to become a singing success.  (Once you get to the YouTube site, type "Paul Potts" into the Search function.  Check out the sequel, too!)

* the nurses who aren't assigned to work with Mum but drop in to find out whose names are on the visitors' board or to bring their children to meet Mum

* friends of Isabel who have never explored the Internet but now read the blog regularly (among other things!) through home computers or by going to the library

* your seasonal wishes winging across the miles by phone, email, and letter

* Isabel's love of people -- a gift developed over decades of being genuinely interested in every person she meets.  This includes the adventures of her caregivers and their families.

* Mum's positive attitude!  On the Saturday before Christmas Day, she wanted to pick out what clothes she would wear on the 25th.

Our hearts are full of gratitude.  

6F is a festive place these days with carollers at noon, decorations, the occasional Santa hat, and Christmas music and programs echoing through many rooms.  As we keep company with Mum during these days and walk through other parts of the hospital, we are keenly aware of other patients and family members who are also experiencing a holiday season that feels very different than usual.  Our hearts widen as we consider all whom are ill and/or are recovering during this season. 

Blessings of LOVE, HOPE, PEACE, and JOY,

Nancy, Janet and Catherine