I had ....

..... a great day.

     There wasn't anything extraordinary about the day.  But it was great.

I had my first tennis drill in a couple of months and it was great.  

I played afterwards with my 3 regular tennis friends.  And it was great.

We went to lunch afterwards and stayed and talked and talked.  And it was great.

I came home and got things done that needed to be done.

I had a great day ..... even when I called the gastro doctor and got an appointment for tomorrow.

I can NOT wait (I have told you that sarcasm is the love language of my family, right?).

OK, I totally can wait, but the thought of it didn't steal any of the greatness of my day.

The boys and I went to a friend's house for dinner.  And it was great.

     Today, for the first time in a very long time ...... I felt happy.

And I knew that I had to share that feeling with you all ...... the many, many people who are rooting for me.  You've been through so much of the unhappiness that you deserved this, too.

     Interestingly enough, I am no longer on anti-depressants.  When I got sick in California and couldn't keep anything down I didn't take any meds for a couple of days or so.  By the time I remembered it had been about 3 days.  Now, I have tried twice before to go off.  Both times I knew without a doubt in less than 48 hours that I had to get back on.

But this time it was different.  Even though it's been a very difficult couple of weeks, and I've been sad and in the black .... it's different.  And that is great.

     Don't get me wrong .... I was more than prepared to be on this medication for rest of my life.  And I was OK with that .... especially after the second attempt to cut it back.  It made a huge difference and I know that it's one reason I'm still around.

But I'm happy to be able to feel sad, and even depressed, without feeling DEPRESSED.  

     And it seems that I have traded that med for another one, which has also made a huge difference.  For the past several days I have been able to focus better than I have in years and years.  And that is great.  It has affected everything I've done these few days .... in a positive way.  And that is also great.

     I know that this happiness is not here to stay ..... not yet.  But I am choosing to focus on the fact that I felt it today -- in spite of the doctor's appointment, in spite of what lies ahead medically ...... in spite of grieving.  In spite of.

     And to celebrate this feeling I went out this afternoon and bought myself these:

     

     And they are great.  Doncha think?

     So thank you all for praying, for commenting, for e-mailing, for calling, for the cards .... for everything.  Please don't stop because I know that the great days will not be common for a while.

But this day, this hour, this moment ...... I choose to celebrate the great and the happy ..... with you.

     And in other news ..... I am totally excited about the response to "The Shack" discussion blog!  I have created a blog and called it "Let's Discuss".  I will post the site address when we're ready to begin.  I'm thinking it will be next week some time.  I want to give people time to get the book if they haven't read it yet.  I also need to decide exactly how this discussion will look.  I'll probably decide to post discussion questions on a certain day of the week and we'll go from there.  I'm sure I/we will tweak it as we go .... and it will be great!

     And it yet other news ...... this Wednesday .... the day after tomorrow (unless you're reading this on Tuesday and then it will be tomorrow ..... I don't want any confusion here!) will be "Ask Me Wednesday".

 So start sending in those questions.  About anything ...... whatever is on your mind --- parenting, marriage, life, death, books .... anything!!

     OK, that's all the news I have.

OH ..... wait ...... no it's not!!!!

     This Saturday Dr. M, my mom and I are going to go check out the puppies and pick one out for Dr. M and for my mom.  

I do not plan to get one.

     Tonight I came home to find these in my e-mail:

     OH.  MY.  GOSH.

That's all .......... for now!