Many people lose the small joys in search for the big happiness.

^{Pearl Buck}

It’s the small joys I keep focusing on, especially lately. John has been so ill for most of the year; “alert mode” has been in full effect. Our life is very low-key right now and simple. He has lost over thirty pounds in the last few months. He needed to lose the weight, but compared to what I’ve known him to look like for most of our marriage, it’s quite alarming. A follow-up appointment to go over biopsy and MRI results is scheduled for this week. (For reference, see the previous post, What Lies Before Me. ) The VA has already approved another surgery ahead of time – for what? We don’t know yet, so we assume they are aware of something concerning his condition. The gallbladder may still need to come out if the doctor can get around the liver. I will update in the coming weeks. In the meantime, God still placed the small joys for me to notice and here is a record of stray gifts from July.

Top Row: This was the view outside the hospital room last month. Jonathan and I stayed later on the 4th of July to watch fireworks with John. They were spectacular, lighting up all over the mountains! After John was home for a few days, I needed to go to the store. He wanted to go with me, but couldn’t walk all the way, so he left to sit in the car to wait. On the way out, he thought to buy flowers! I loved having them in the house. The last photo is of meatloaf. It takes over an hour to bake in the oven (depending on the size) and can feel like forever when we’re hungry. I’ve been making meatballs instead and pouring over our meatloaf sauce. They cook in about 30 minutes! I baked potatoes and roasted broccoli to complete the meal. John was happy to have home-cooked meals again.

Middle Row: Jonathan picked a tasty watermelon recently. He used a knife that once belonged to John’s grandfather, who was an amazing cook and restaurant owner in his prime. Whenever we use the knife, it reminds us of him. The last two photos were shared with me by my friend Kara in Pennsylvania. The deer! She shared other photos of them, and I’m just in awe. Every year, she texts me photos of the hydrangeas in front of her office. They’re gorgeous!

Bottom Row: I’ve made a few cards this year, even with the surgeries John’s had and the back and forth to the hospital. The first card is a wedding card I made for my niece who was married last month. The second is a thank-you card for my dad, who helped provide meals for Jonathan and me while John was in the hospital. He also brought groceries over one day. What a help and blessing! The last card is one of 50 Christmas cards soon to be shipped to a charity organization that collects handmade cards and disperses them among other charities for cancer patients, hospitalized children, veterans, military, Meals on Wheels recipients, retirement homes, and more. I’ve been working on these since last December! My big goal this year was to use up Christmas paper I had already used for previous orders and for friends and family.

I’m thankful God is never too busy to place various gifts in my path, showing His love, care, and grace.