Tonight, I am grateful for a husband who doesn’t mind driving ten hours in a day for one doctor appointment.

I am grateful for the total contrast of caring and compassionate physicians who take the time to listen and learn versus their rushed and dismissive counterparts, and I am grateful we know enough to seek second opinions.

I am grateful for connections. Sometimes it IS who you know, and I am so very grateful to know my boss friend who can and did make things happen when we were in need.

I am grateful for a beautiful view on the ride back west of a sunset, of gaggles of geese flying against the smoky blue peach dusk, of a very pretty Audi A6, and jet trails that light up with the setting sun.

I am grateful for a very strong pain pill that will soon put me to sleep.

I am grateful for small town USA football live-streamed on YouTube so Sam can “watch” as he drives home.

I am grateful for a very busy weekend of AirBnb guests, and I am grateful we are able to go home tonight so that we can clean, clean, clean, clean all weekend long.

I am grateful for answers and images that reassure me I am not crazy and there really IS a reason for this pain in my leg.

I am grateful for McAllister’s tea, one of the simple joys in life.

I am grateful for a mask that has just become second nature and is no longer a bother.

I am grateful for a very nice small town USA hospital with great nurses I am learning to know on a first name basis and look forward to seeing every day.

I am grateful for good veins, CoBan wrap, and Press & Seal for showering.

I am grateful for Audible and the privilege to listen to good books.

I am grateful for close friends who cheer me up with a card in the mail, a new water bottle, and FedExed homeopathy for pain management this weekend.

I am grateful that my husband helps me in the middle of the night when I am in distress and “feels” my pain right alongside me.

I am grateful for smooth highways and a comfortable ride.

And I am grateful that even though in the grand scheme of things this isn’t a big deal, it IS a big deal to God, and I can cast all my cares on Him. Until next week, I will do just that.