Tuesday found me up at 6:15 a.m. in the kitchen, after only a few hours of sleep. I did word puzzles (my brain power exercises) and listened to strange music on the radio for a couple of hours, ate breakfast, not forgetting the fantastic Florida oranges that Doug's parents contributed to our home. I thank God every morning for the taste of oranges. And every meal I eat I thank Him for how good it tastes. I have never tasted food like this in my life! I'm enjoying every part of my life, or at least trying to (sometimes the hard things I'm not enjoying so much, but I try). A parcel arrived from Tamville (Campobello Island), from my good friend, P., with a beautiful red knit V-neck from New York & Co. – "Happy Valentine's Day from Tamville." I like to say Tamville is where Mary Tyler Moore lives. New York, here I come in November, God willing.
The Bobbsey Twins arrived late morning to cheer and encourage me. We had a wonderful time of sharing and prayer and many laughs. They brought me flowers – Gerber daisies, which are absolutely stunning. My home looks like a floral shop, and I love it. We parted with great excitement about what the future holds.
After another tuna melt, I took off to the Fredericton Medical Clinic where I was a participant in the Look Good Feel Better program, sponsored by the Cosmetics & Perfumes Assoc. of Canada. Volunteers led us through the process of applying our 'face,' learning how to cover up dark circles, paint on eyelashes and eyebrows, and apply make-up. They stood beside us and served us, preparing each element for us, as we peered into make-up mirrors. A 'peanut gallery' was in attendance as well, viewing the process and giving encouragement. My hairdresser, Sandra Washburn, gave a talk and a live demonstration using her guinea pig, Deb, to model a red wig which made me look like an overgrown Anne of Green Gables. I was stunning, to say the least, and as she pulled and poked at that wig, altering it to my head shape, I made funny faces for the women. I told them they didn't know they were coming to the I Love Lucy show. Then I was the model for a 'survivor' buff from the Radical Edge store, and again, my head was pulled and yanked while she contorted that multifaceted piece of non-seamed cotton into all sorts of novel shapes on my head. We cracked jokes all afternoon. The program is a 12-step program, which we had a lot of fun with. We all left with about $300 worth of lotions, eyeliners, lipsticks, gloss, powders, sunscreen, and hats, which we modeled for one another. A good time was had by all, and it made us feel very special and very beautiful. The peanut gallery oohed and ahhed over us.
After a trip to the Superstore, one of my first times grocery shopping alone, I anticipated coming home to a bowl of AJ's famous chicken soup. It didn't disappoint us. It is the most amazing soup I have ever had, I think. It rivals my mother's soup! Really, AJ, you need to market this.
Then something that I didn't expect happened. I stood in the living room and preached to Doug – passionately, with many tears, about what I wanted my life to look like. About wanting what God wants, and not what I want. About making a difference in people's lives. About pouring everything we have into other people. Doing whatever, wherever. That my needs didn't matter – what mattered was God's heart, and I wanted it. About loving God and loving others. This is what I what my life to represent. I preached with animation and many tears for about 15 minutes, and then he invited me to sit down. He comforted me and held me. Once again, my husband, my greatest love and support was there.
We settled down for the evening; I had a chill. Watched The Last Samurai. And then this samurai went to bed, exhausted after a long, but good day, feeling like a battle had been won.
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