You've Got Mail

I don't know about you, but I LOVE getting mail! It's a little piece of heaven in the midst of bills and flyers and it always brightens my day. Sometimes, I live on its high for weeks! It's the idea that someone went through all their pretty stationary or special cards (or picked up a scrap of paper) and then found a fancy pen in a fun color (or just a regular good ol' blue Bic) and sat down for a few moments in their busy life to think about me. I guess an email is kind of the same idea, but really, it's not (though I do love getting them, don't get me wrong!). The date was noted (or not) and so it starts "Dear LaDawn. . ." Whether mundane life or exciting adventures, the topic itself is not nearly as important as the fact that someone thought of me enough to do something about that thought. The letter or card is signed, stuffed, sealed and stamped before heading out into the great unknown of our global postal systems. Will it make it? - you never really know. And it does not matter if this precious package has traveled across town or around the globe - I treasure it and reread it. . .waiting only for the next special piece of mail to arrive.

Positive Progress for Levi

Since my last blog on Levi, a number of things have changed. . .improved, much to our relief. He actually had a 2nd chest tube put in because both lungs collapsed, but yesterday the nurse said that there is only a small amount of drainage from the tubes, so they may be coming out soon. He is down to 1 antibiotic (a miracle!) and his sores seem to be healing up nicely (one of his ulcers was debrided again yesterday). The main area of focus is still his breathing.

My parents went in last night to visit. Especially over the last 2 or 3 weeks, he's had days where he is definitely not himself, and then at other times, surprisingly himself. Yesterday he said he wished he could eat (ice chips just doesn't cut it!) and my mom asked him what he would like, if he could eat. His response: "A whistle dog and a Dairy Queen banana split!"

I know I've said it before, but I want to thank you again for your thoughts and prayers for our family at this time!

It's Like Riding a Bicycle. . on the Lawn

I enjoy mowing our lawn. I mean, really enjoy it - though I'm not quite sure why. It's 3 hours of driving in circles, listening to the thunderous roar of the mower beneath me. Maybe it's the smell of freshly mowed grass - but I can't really smell, so that can't be it either. I had asked my dad to get the mower ready earlier last week. The weather has been beautiful and the grass was screaming to be mowed. My dad reluctantly got the mower tuned up, knowing that the summer will feel longer because once you start mowing the lawn, well, you just can't stop until the fall. Obviously I missed last summer's mowing fun and so I hopped aboard the tractor last Saturday, ready for the long-haul. It was just like riding a bicycle - once I started, I found my groove right away. And it was finally today that my arms, neck and shoulders felt like their normal, flabby selves again. You see, my dad bought a hydrostatic mower a few years back and it certainly works muscles in the upper body as you maneuver around the yard. Seriously, you can turn on a dime with this baby!

1000 Awesome Things

Chapters is one of my favorite stores (especially since I can order online, finding the books I actually want in a fraction of the time it takes to search the store and find out they don't have it, and they ship it to my house for FREE!). I receive random emails from them and usually skim them over before hitting delete, but the one I received last week Wednesday peaked my curiosity. I didn't have time to read it thoroughly at the moment, so I left it until Friday. It recommended a book called "The Book of Awesome" and contained the blog address 1000awesomethings.com which I proceeded to check out.

Head to the blog for specifics, but basically he started the blog in 2008 (out of some life tragedies), counting down from #1000. As of Friday (he blogs Monday - Friday), he was at #520, so I had a lot of catching up to do. It was a 1000 Awesome Things weekend marathon! I would read until my eyes were bugged-out and the screen was blurry, take a break and then come back for more. I think my favorite part about his writing (other than, at rare moments, he sounds like my brother Lee) is that he writes simply and honestly; real and raw. There's so much truth, even in the disgusting things. Just when you thought that you could be the ONLY person on the planet that does that or thinks like that, it's there in his writing! Really, little snipets of humanity.

Almost peed my pants laughing reading #975 Airplane toilet flushes. Learned something new (and totally exciting) in #988 The Gas Arrow. Thoroughly enjoyed #850 Absolute perfect silence (be sure to scroll down and read the comment made by Joshua V - trust me, it will help!). Started to feel normal with my quirks (#641 Kicking those clumps of frozen slush off the back of your car’s mudflap) and mathematical number obsessions (#773 Watching your odometer click over a major milestone and #577 Looking at the clock and seeing that it's 12:34). Was inspired to continue teaching (in whatever capacity for the future) in #525 That Teacher - it actually brought tears to my eyes! And felt beautiful during #576 Appreciating the beauty of all your body's scars and scratches.

Can't wait to wake up tomorrow and catch my very first reading of 1000 Awesome Things on the day it comes out!

AWESOME!

More Info on the Walk to Stop Human Trafficking

If you have not decided whether you should come out to the Walk to Stop Human Trafficking yet (happening May 8), I received some more information which may help you decide (to come, that is!).

"We’ll be meeting at the Leg at noon. There will be a few short opening remarks, then we will start our walk at about 12:15pm. The walk is fairly short, it is 2.4 kilometers, which should only take about 30 minutes. From the Leg we will go north on Memorial to Portage, east on Portage to Carlton, south on Carleton to Broadway, then take Broadway back to the Leg. The route is basically just a big square. We will have a police escort so we can walk on the road, and we’re hoping the Winnipeg Police Mounted Unit riders will be in attendance to lead our walk. After the walk there will be a few more short speeches. I predict we will wrap up around 1:30ish."

Also, "Just to let you know, Mrs. Joy Smith is organizing an event at the Delta hotel following the walk. Four women who have been directly affected by human trafficking will be telling their stories. We are finalizing the invitation, if you are interested in this, please let me know [leanne@joysmithmp.ca], and I will email you the details. The charge is $20 at the door to cover the travelling expenses for the speakers."

Crazy Dog!

I took our dog Sydney out for a walk tonight. Not a walk with her on a leash or where I have to pick up her poop, but one where she walks beside me or explores the ditch or checks out gopher holes. In one direction, we have no neighbours for an entire mile and as long as it's dry (you'd get stuck in the mud if it was wet), it's a wonderful walk, especially with the beautiful temperatures we've been enjoying (and no mosquitoes. . .yet!).

Sydney is, well, she's a bit crazy (to say the least). She's a pure bred Norwegian Elkhound and you know that line between genius and insane - let's just say she's probably closer to the insane side. She doesn't run; it's more like she bounds around. The other day, she was chasing one of the cats (one of her FAVORITE activities) and wasn't watching where she was going. Sydney ran full speed into a pole and literally bounced back off of it (like in the cartoons!). She stood up, shook herself off and went on her merry way. Crazy dog!

Back to the 80's

Last year was the only year I missed going to see the musical in Dauphin (for obvious reasons!). My friend Diane starting teaching there in 2000/01, right after we graduated from university together, and I have been making the trek each year to see the musical and catch up with her and her family. The weather this year still blows my mind - I remember driving through snow and ice on many occasions during the 4 hour journey. Though the lead guy had laryngitis, the show (Back to the 80's) still went on. My favorite characters were the group of nerds - they did an outstanding job. The one guy talked and SANG in a nerdy voice for the whole show and even did his own choreography, which was too funny!

We've been FRAMED!

A HUGE 'Thank You' goes out to the 50 people that came out to the FRAMED Photography Exhibit last night! We collected about 60 pounds in donations for our food bank! Of course, we took one last chance to be framed together. I can't even begin to tell you how much fun I had putting everything together for this course. So my biggest thanks goes out to the 5 lovely ladies pictured below with me - you made the class what is was and I'm excited to head out on a few more outings next month before we really call it quits!!

Levi's Progress

After last Thursday, this past weekend there was considerable improvement (though small, we'll take it). Levi's heart rate was much better and he was not under the cooling blanket continually. Doctors took a sample from his hip (that was the testing and surgery I talked about previously) and it appears as though there is bacteria in there. Levi also had some issues with one of his teeth. We're not exactly sure where those 2 problems are at because of the new progress report we received this morning. There has been some concern with the trach and so now Levi has a tube back down his mouth. As well, he has a chest tube because of a lung collapsing. As I blogged previously - ebb and flow, up and down. And again, I ask for and appreciate all your thoughts and prayers for our family at this time.

Just in Case. . .

Just in case you are humming and hawing about whether to come to the FRAMED Photography Exhibit tomorrow night (7 - 9 p.m., W. C. Miller Collegiate), I've left you with a little teaser! It will definitely be worth coming out - these students have taken some amazing pictures. It's free, but we do ask that you bring a food donation for the local food bank. Also, one of the students and I will be on CFAM talking about the exhibit tomorrow morning around 7:30 a.m. You can listen to the live web cast via goldenweststreaming.com/cfam_player/index.html

Green & Blossoming

This past week was a busy one in regard to speaking engagements. On Tuesday I spoke to an area pastor's meeting and then taught my photography/injustice class in the evening. Friday night I spoke to a 55+ group, which was a lot of fun, plus it included supper (and it was really good)! Today I spoke at a church in Winnipeg. As I was preparing for these engagements, I came across some Scripture out of Luke 3 where John is baptizing people, but somehow is seems to become a popular thing to do among the people instead of a sincere heart thing. From The Message it says: "'What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming? Because if it's deadwood, it goes on the fire.' The crowd asked him, 'Then what are we supposed to do?'" And his response really blew me away this week. He did not talk about confessing sins, repentance, coming to Christ or anything that we might expect. John's response was this: "'If you have 2 coats, give one away,' he said. 'Do the same with your food.'" A heart change is vital, and though our faith is not judged on our works, it's so interesting to note (straight from this Scripture), that our faith will be seen in our actions - how do we treat those less fortunate than us?

Scattered Seeds

It is that time of year again - time for the Scattered Seeds Spring Craft Sale (they also have one in the fall for Christmas). I love checking out local artisans and their creations. I have a number of favorite booths that I make sure to check out every year, but I also found some new favorites this time around.

Local Students ready for "FRAMED"

Check out the newspaper article about our photography exhibit happening next week Tuesday: www.altonaecho.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2534424

Another Update on Levi

Levi has been in the ICU for a month now. His condition, his health, along with our emotions, have ebbed and flowed. I don't know about you, but I don't do well waiting, hanging in limbo. The last time that I saw Levi was just before he was admitted to the ICU. He was up in his wheelchair, we had coffee together and he was himself. All the reports from my parents and uncles have said the opposite since entering the ICU.

He has a million tubes coming from him, he is tired and, because of the constant flow of medication, he is not himself. Two of the nine siblings are from out of province, but all are coming together tomorrow (both have already seen him at different times during the last month or so) as Levi's health continues to deteriorate. In a family meeting today, doctors have decided to do some more tests tomorrow and we would all appreciate your prayers. There is possibility of surgery again, but I'm not sure what this is in regard to. Doctors have still been unable to pinpoint the exact cause of the infection in his lungs and so they are giving him a wide range of medication, hoping that one will target it effectively. As with the last update, the added pressure on the lungs is affecting other organs, specifically, his heart has been shocked and medicated to slow it down.

It's hard to let go of someone you love, but I think that it's harder to watch them suffer. And that suffering does not apply to Levi alone but also to my grandmother, my parents, and all my aunts & uncles who continue to keep vigil and pray that God's will would be accomplished. We thank you and appreciate all your prayers!