Thanks for Asking

I was listening to a new program on NPR called Terrible, Thanks for Asking.   It combined some sad circumstances, stories, wisdom and some humor and it seemed to speak to me this holiday season. We've been blessed with friends who have shared their concern and love during Karen's cancer. I don't know how people go through this without a village of support, yet I know there are those that do.
Still after three years when people ask how I am doing I usually answer "fine" or I'm doing "ok". I say that because I think I'm used to thinking of that question as being one of those pro forma questions not needing more of an answer.  I decided to give myself permission to steal that phrase.
Things aren't "ok"; not emergency bad but much of our days revolve around managing pain. I hate to see Karen in pain.
 
Distractions are good and this was a good week for distractions. We had visits from Cam and Penny Boyce last Tuesday, who stopped off on their way to Lowell, MA. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with at K's brothers house. Our sister-in-law Tammy outdid herself once again. Cynthia Abraham brought her family for a lovely whirlwind  and yesterday the Foster clan dropped by as they made their way back home to Ithaca. 

So the distractions are good, Karen's hip is bad, the effectiveness of the current chemo infusions is inconclusive. All around this seems to be the new normal.
So, the situation is terrible, but thanks for listening to the vent. We do appreciate the shoulder to bitch on.

Photo - William Evertson- Button puzzle from artist Joan Harrison in the mail with hand printed wrapper.  

---