Miracles so far this week

So far, the chemo break is fabulous, though it presents dilemmas of a different sort.

But that is a topic for another time. For today, I will share some of the happy miracles of the week so far.

On Monday, I decided that I wanted to make steamed dumplings. I had a small bit of chicken and I actually had the rice wrappers in my freezer. I could add peas (also in my freezer) and scallions. I’ve never made them before but how hard could it be?

I thawed the rice wrappers and chopped the scallions. I set everything up like an assembly line and started to improvise.

On Monday nights, Puspa helps us out. Puspa just started college. She has lived in the United States for the past five years or so, but was born and raised – until 5 years ago – in Nepal. She noticed my inept beginnings, as I tried to construct and wrap one dumpling, and kindly asked if she could help.

I watched her demonstration in awe as she folded the sides on one half of the dumpling wrapper, knew exactly how much stuffing it would hold and sealed it closed. She even wrapped the ends around to make a beautiful, bite-sized morsel.

As I gushed about her skill, she laughingly said, “I’ve made hundreds of these.” I pictured a kitchen filled with generations of women chatting and making a meal together, the older female relatives doing the more complicated parts of the meal while the younger girls sat doing the repetitive dumpling-making. Kind of how I learned to make gnocchi.

Miracle #1: My urge to make Asian dumplings on a day when there was actually an in-house Asian dumpling expert!

Miracle #2

I woke early on a beautiful Wednesday morning, thinking that I would like to meditate outside but didn’t want to do my same old thing. So I went back to sleep.

When I woke again, I felt a strong urge to look at the cover of a book called The Way of Boys. I knew the author is Anthony Rao but suddenly noticed the name of the co-author, Michelle Seaton.

Later that day, a friend wrote to me about a type of meditation that is lovely to do outside. Did I want to learn about it?

AND, she told me a bit about Michelle Seaton’s latest project. “Had I heard of her?”

So cool!

Miracle #3

For the past couple of years, my friend Lisa has been recommending that I see this particular bodywork person. “I can’t explain what he does. He is just gifted.”

I put off calling.

More recently, I was having tea with Natasha, who recommended that same bodywork person. “I can’t explain what he does. He is just gifted.”

THEN he walked into the cafe, so Natasha introduced us and told him that I needed to see him.

“Email me directly,” he offered. “I will squeeze you in.”

Apparently, this is rare. But did I take him up on it? No, I did not.

This week, on Wednesday, Natasha called. She couldn’t use her appointment and would I be able to take it? This time, I had to step up. Yes.

I can’t explain what he does. He is just gifted. I was transported. I learned a lot about the impact on my body of all this inactivity. And I am so grateful for Natasha and Lisa pointing me in this direction and to God and Natasha for putting that opportunity right in my face.

Miracle #4

As I prayed for the health of the many people I know who are dealing with cancer and other challenges, I realized that three of those for whom I pray by name got good news this week. I gave enormous thanks for answered prayers and, of course, asked for more, confident that that well has no bottom.

Thank you, too, for being here, through everything. I pray that you are happy with the miracles that are unfolding in your life every day, and that you feel the love, blessings and prayers always.

Marie