Follow up scan from last month’s bad news is today. I’ll climb into the MRI machine at 10:00 AM. Afterwards, we’ll go have omelettes at the Canadian Honker in Rochester. At 2:25 PM we’re scheduled to visit with Dr. R to discuss MRI results. I sincerely appreciate thoughts/prayers/mojo/faith/hope/good vibes/cancer cures/love/healing you can send our way. For now:

A Blessing For Courage – by John O’ Donohue

When the light around you lessens
And your thoughts darken until
Your body feels fear turn
Cold as a stone inside,

When you find yourself bereft
Of any belief in yourself
And all you knowingly
Leaned on has fallen,

When one voice commands
Your whole heart,
And it is raven dark,

Steady yourself and see
That it is your own thinking
That darkens your world,
….
Know that you are not alone
And that this darkness has purpose;
Gradually it will school your eyes
To find the one gift your life requires
Hidden within this night-corner.

Invoke the learning
Of every suffering
You have suffered

Close your eyes.
Gather all the kindling
About your heart
To create one spark.
That is all you need
To nourish the flame
That will cleanse the dark
Of it’s weight of festered fear.

A new confidence will come alive
To urge you toward higher ground
Where your imagination
Will learn to engage difficulty
As its most rewarding threshold.