Stories

"...But there is no meaning in facts.  As a physician, and as a human being, I live in a world of stories.  Stories are not replicable because our lives are unique.  Our uniqueness is what gives us value and meaning.  Yet in the telling of stories we also learn what makes us similar, what connects us all, what helps us transcend the isolation that seperates us from each other and from ourselves.

"Stories are the language of community...

"...Listening to stories can also be healing.  A deep trust of life often emerges when you listen to other people's stories.  You realize you're not alone; you're traveling in wonderful company.  Ordinary people living ordinary lives often are heroes..."

--Dean Ornish, M.D., from the forward in "Kitchen Table Wisdom"

Things I am thankful for today:

1.  Being awoken to breakfast in bed! 

2.  Strawberry empanadas.  Mmmm....

3.  Curling up with a book in bed.  Lovely.

4.  Hoar frost on our trees this morning.  Beautiful.  (The hubby took these pictures this morning...  Pretty, aren't they?)

5.  A trip to REI.  Fun fun fun.  Gotta love gift cards!

6.  A new bread recipe in the breadmaker - whole wheat.  Makes great toast!

7.  Watching Olympics.  So fun.

8.  Making homemade, all-natural, vanilla pudding. 

9.  2 full days of NO work!  Woo-hoo!

10.  Hearing more of the fascinating stories of people at church...  Love it.