Each Sunrise ... A Gift!

I look forward to renewed life ...
The sunrises yet to come my way ...
Each day a gift ...
All I have to do is accept!

Tina's PicStory challenge this week is "Sunrise/Sunset".
Join us!!!

LEC Sunrise

I saw sudden beautiful color in the windows of the now vacant church/school ...
And managed to catch the sun in a fleeting moment.
Before the clouds once again muted its glory.

I am Given Another Sunrise

For those of you who don't know, last Friday (Dec. 4, 5:05 AM) I suffered a moderate stroke in the left side of my brain, rendering me completely paralyzed on my entire right side, and unable to speak.

I was able to call for help before my speech left me, and was rushed to Meridian Park Hospital in Tualatin. Because I got there so fast, (within 20 minutes of the first symptoms), I was given a special "clot buster" drug that can only be administered in the first few hours after a stroke.

My sister Beth showed up and stayed with me during that tortuous time when I was unable to move or speak. Then changes started to happen - waxing and waning. I could curl my toes, lift my arm several inches off the bed, say a few words. Then just as suddenly lose it.

Several hours later the worst wave hit, I felt my mind starting to wander for the first time. Beth's prayers became more focused.

And I lifted my right leg clear off the table! And my arm as well! My speech became clearer and they whisked me to a room in the ICU for observation.

By Saturday morning, all symptoms seemed to be gone. The neurologist shook his head, muttering something like "Whether it was the medicine or the prayers ... some things just can't be explained." That's when they decided it may have been a "TIA", not a real stroke. Nothing had showed up on the CAT scan, so they did an MRI.

And found that yes indeed, I had suffered a stroke. A fairly small one, the size of a small lima bean. Without the clot buster drug, it would have been the size of a silver dollar.

I found out that I had the entire ICU staff confused. I wasn't supposed to get well that quickly -- there was NO protocol!!! Even with the clot buster drug, I wasn't supposed to start improving for 2 to 3 days! What to do with me???

As it turns out, they let me go home on Sunday, lifestyle changes to be made.
And golly-bob-howdy are they being made.

I want to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers on my behalf. I am humbled that God used your prayers to perform a miracle in my life, and I will strive to be worthy of that awesome gift.

Oh, and be sure to enlarge the picture. I caught this bird at sunrise, the light just beginning to peek over the horizon, showing a hint of color. Sunrise. Just one more thing I will NEVER TAKE FOR GRANTED AGAIN.

Behold The Sunrise!!!

This was one of those moments of wonder that make getting up early worthwhile.

Sunrise

I caught this sunrise on an otherwise dreary day.
It gives me hope for tomorrow!

Sunrise Kitty Silhouette

I always carry my little camera with me; I never know when a good picture will pop up! Like this one taken just after sunrise a few days ago. I was out getting wood for the fire, and heard a loud "meow". Looking up, I had just enough time to see one of our cats in the tree, and pull the camera out of my pocket in time to take a picture before he continued his trek up the tree to the roof. I love the contrast of tree, sky and kitty silhouette.

Rainbow Time!

Cold winter morning
Clear blue sky
Hot fire in the stove
Coffee is perking
The sunrise is here
Look! It's Rainbow Time!