Good Morning Digital Neighbors! Happy Sunday ADD Irregulars and especially all the new Supports & Members at Padre's.. It it good to see familiar and soon to be familiar faces among new Supports and Members. As per the course, some morning ramblings and reflections from Padre as I sit in my bed awaiting the day ahead. I have been told that today is a day of rest and I do not have therapy, so the I hope to regain some energy, they ran me through the gauntlet in therapy yesterday and it was good, but I was tired. Trust me, I won't be lying around all day, walking is good, I'll trade the pain of walking for the stiffness of sitting in place too long. Trying to find a good balance will be one of my real discernments. Paying attention to the body without obsessing about it will be a daily adventure.

A BIT OF JOY

Days run into nights, nights into days;
we adapt, we adjust,
to ever-changing challenges.

A stranger once said to me,
“I pray you may find a moment of joy
in each day.” That loving bit of wisdom
has inspired me to search for that gleam
of unexpected joy which lifts me up again.

Faith sustains . . .
Family stays close . . .
Friends uphold . . .
Music soothes . . .
Books can bring respite . . .
For all that, I am grateful.
Each may bring that moment of joy in what may be
an otherwise intense day. BETTY ANN LEAVITT

I hope to keep Betty's perspective throughout this experience. Over the past week I have found many moments of joy as new movements and new confidences get gained to my daily routine of activates. The real goal of therapy will be a return to home with as much normalcy as possible. I don't want to rush anything nor am I one to want to whine about my condition. The discernment of limitations and the retraining of habits will be the meat and potatoes of my immediate days.

A bit of joy - I have found many. They are the jewels that have set this week apart in my memory. I am been so blessed by God, I have felt the closeness of the Master inviting me to trust Him and unite my trials to His. It is a strange thing when you have to live it. Offer it up is really easy in theory, much more challenging when you have to make it an hourly reality. I have pondered it plenty in the last week.

I have been so blessed by people, good and real neighbors that have flooded my life with so much love and prayer. It is hard not to sob at the unworthiness I feel in so much love, prayer and laughter pouring in my life. It has helped keep my perspective and patience at the forefront of the silent thoughts and inner broodings that wait for moments of stillness and aloneness.

I know I cannot be in a constant state of joy, but I can strive to constantly find the joy in each day. I know that I can strive to return to it as soon as I realize it is lost. It is a gift after all, a fruit of the inner workings of the Spirit. Outwardly it can reveal happiness and laughter, delight and gratitude, interiorly it provides peace and a stillness is that like being held close by One who loves you deeply, understands you completely and is with you always. Immanuel has taken on a whole new meaning in my life. Have a great day my dear friends, I can't begin to express my love and gratitude for you.