Appreciating Good Health...and Friendship

During this morning's walk, as I pushed my body hard up a good-sized hill, my mind didn't run its usual litany of complaints about pain or feeling tired or even "Why am I doing this to myself?" thoughts. All I could think about was Lori.

 

I'm talking about a writing colleague named Lori Hall Steele. We're about the same age, both moms and both freelance writers accustomed to forging our own paths. But in September, 2007, Lori lost the ability to move her feet. Soon, she couldn't move her arms. Not long after that, she was confined to a wheelchair, still somewhat able to use her hands to type. Now, that ability is gone and Lori is no longer able to work -- her sole means of support for her and her seven-year-old son, Jackson.

 

At first, doctors thought Lori simply had Lyme Disease, a sometimes debilitating tick-borne illness. Now, however, they've made a diagnosis of ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and Lori -- confined to a hospital bed -- is dependent upon a Bi-Pap breathing machine. Today, with mounting medical bills, Lori is just days away from losing her home to foreclosure.

 

I can't imagine what Lori is going through, but I can close my eyes and imagine what it might feel like to feel my health slipping away as my child watched. The very thought takes my breath away.

 

In situations like this, most of us wish we could do something, but it's hard to know what to do. A group of Lori's kind-hearted writing colleagues have gathered forces to try to help. Here are a few links to their efforts:

 

www.savelorishouse.com/

 

www.hallsteele.blogspot.com

 

If you're able to do so, I hope you'll consider making a donation to help Lori. If it's not something you can do right now, I hope you'll take a moment today to appreciate your body and its good health. At the end of the day, there's nothing more important than health, family and friendship.

 

I'm thinking of you, Lori.

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Girl on Top]

I'm so sorry to hear about Lori. I will keep her in my prayers.

Thank you for the post. I'm never grateful enough for my body and everything else.

[MizFit]

I had a friend lose her husband yesterday out of the blue.
my husband? kept me up all night snoring.

I was so thankful he was there to do so.

[Dara Chadwick]

Thanks, Kaolee and MizFit. It's sad that we sometimes need a reminder to be grateful, but situations like this do have that positive effect.

MizFit, I'll be thinking of your friend and hugging my husband a little closer.