Blessings Abound in My Life

Shirley Comes to My Aid

For the past month, my cousin Shirley has been a blessing, helping me four hours a week. She even completed coursework to become a certified home health care aide. With spring here and my mobility returning, her experience, culinary skills, and tidy nature have been a tremendous help. Between Shirley and Dianne (who works 16 hours a week), I am fortunate to have two such caring women assisting my mom and me.

 

My Mom’s Constant Support

Speaking of support, my mother, Joann, remains the most important woman in my life. Though she has slowed down a bit, her strong will and wonderful sense of humor never waver. Our family is truly blessed by her presence as a mother and grandmother.

 

Jesus, I Trust in You!

I recently finished my latest walking video, set to "Someone's Watching Over Me" by Hilary Duff. It features the Divine Mercy image as a tribute to my recovery from foot surgery. During the most painful days of my recovery—when I struggled with disuse osteopenia and the discomfort of the halo brace—singing the Divine Mercy Chaplet and holding my rosary provided me with essential peace. I am also deeply grateful to the nurses at Comprehensive Health Network and Father James Trick for their instrumental roles in my healing.

 

A Season of Unexpected Miracles

Lately, God has intervened in my life in ways I never imagined. Traveling with my friend Mary Ann, I’ve experienced a "small miracle": a total sense of ease. For three years, I felt panicky in public groups, but now I feel safe and joyful. I want to shout from the rooftops: "THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR BLESSING ME SO MUCH!" I am nothing without Him, and I give Him all the glory for this transformation.

 

St. Faustina and the Sisters of Reparation

On April 18th, Mary Ann and I attended a beautiful event at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Coldwater. The Sisters of Reparation from Steubenville shared the life of St. Faustina and the message of Divine Mercy. It was a privilege to meet Mother M. Wendy McMenamy and Sister M. Grace Kelly, and to venerate the relics they brought. I encourage everyone to learn more about their mission at sistersofreparation.org.

 

Seeking the Intercession of Sr. M. Alfonsa

The Sisters are also promoting the cause for the sainthood of Sr. M. Alfonsa, who suffered from rheumatoid arthritis before passing in 1994. Because I also live with RA, Mother M. Wendy took special time to speak with me about her. Knowing that Mother Wendy personally cared for Sr. Alfonsa for 12 years gave me immense hope. I am praying for her intercession for my own physical healing and continued inner peace.

 

 

A Life Filled with Blessings

God has guided me toward gifted surgeons, Dr. Thomas Lee and Dr. William DeCarbo, who have helped me walk again. More importantly, He has placed kind-hearted people in my path who helped me conquer my fears. For the first time in two years, I am truly looking forward to being out in the world. Thank you, Jesus; I trust in You!

 

So Many Blessings All in One Day

Driving Miss Becky

Friday, March 25th, began as an ordinary afternoon of office work but transformed into an extraordinary journey with my friend, Mary Ann.

 

A Special Birthday 

It was Mary Ann’s birthday, which beautifully falls on the Feast of the Annunciation—the day the Angel Gabriel visited the Virgin Mary. Fittingly, Mary Ann was named after both the Blessed Mother and her mother, St. Ann.

 

The Gift of Healing 

Our first stop was St. Charles Seminary to visit Father James Trick. Despite his own struggle with Parkinson’s, Father Trick has spent years leading healing services for others. He visited me during my foot surgery recovery last year, and since the winter weather had kept me indoors until now, this was my first chance to see him again. He once again anointed me and offered a special blessing.

 

A Lakeside Gem 

Next, we visited Montezuma to see the cottage Mary Ann and her husband, Steve, have been renovating. Their hard work has truly turned the place into a gem.

 

Moments of Faith 

Our journey continued to St. Augustine Church in Minster, where Mary Ann’s niece, Jackie, recently felt a powerful divine presence that helped her with a long-standing health issue. We then visited St. Sebastian, the site where a parishioner once witnessed the statue of the Blessed Mother weeping.

 

Seeking Peace 

At both churches, I prayed for the strength to release frustrations I’ve carried since 2008. I am seeking inner peace and joy, trusting God to help me overcome these feelings.

 

Happy Birthday, Mary Ann! 

Thank you for sharing your day with me, strengthening our faith, and making me feel so special. May God bless you and Steve always.

 

Out with the Old, In with the New

My faithful eMac has finally retired. After seven years of service, the "all-in-one" system began to fail—first with screen blackouts, then with frequent system crashes. I managed to extend its life for a few months by mirroring the display to an external monitor, but it eventually became clear that I needed a more reliable partner for my projects.

 

I am now the proud owner of a Mac mini! It’s incredible to think how far I’ve come since my first manual typewriter in 1972, or my first Commodore 64 in 1978. I’ve gone from 450 MB hard drives to a machine that allows me to get "oodles" of work done without the stress of a crash. I love it!

All My Walking Music Videos:

 

'The Climb' by Miley Cyrus  

They say it’s not about how fast you get there, but about the climb. Looking back at my foot surgeries, there were days when the 'mountain' felt impossible to move. This song became my anthem during those long weeks of physical therapy and quiet recovery. It reminded me that every small step forward—no matter how painful—was still progress. I’m sharing this video today to honor that journey and to remind anyone else in the middle of their own 'climb' to keep pushing."

 

 

'One Step at a Time' by Jordin Sparks

After foot surgery, the world feels like it's moving at 100mph while I was stuck at zero. This song reminded me that I don’t have to rush the process—I just have to keep my eyes on the floor and put one foot in front of the other. There’s no need to run when you’re learning how to walk again. Here is a look at my journey, one steady step at a time.

'Someone’s Watching Over Me' (Hilary Duff)
During my recovery, there were moments of pain and isolation where I felt overwhelmed. But looking at the image of the Divine Mercy, I was reminded that I was never truly alone. Hilary Duff’s 'Someone’s Watching Over Me' perfectly captures that feeling of being guided by a higher power. To me, Jesus is that presence—the one giving me hope when I feel weak and the inspiration to keep healing. This video is a reflection of His grace in my life.

'Footloose' (Kenny Loggins): One of my favorite dance songs! It was a blast to put this one together.

Springing into Action

With the snow finally behind us, I’m more than ready for the next eight months of warmth. It’s time to put these new shoes to work and enjoy the sunshine.

 

Proof that I'm Still Here!

Slow and Steady Progress

Since October, I’ve prioritized physical therapy over blogging to focus on my recovery. The results have been life-changing: on November 8th, I received my right shoe and began walking with both heels flat for the first time in 35 years!

After two weeks on crutches and a brief stint using just one, I can now walk unassisted indoors for up to 45 minutes. While my left ankle is tight when I first stand up, ten minutes of stretching allows me to bear my full weight comfortably.

A Refreshing Winter Stroll

Yesterday’s 39° weather was too perfect to miss. I spent an hour walking outside in the misty rain, and it was incredibly invigorating. I still use crutches outdoors for safety, but the difference is night and day: my ankles no longer roll, and my walking pain has decreased by 90%. While my feet feel achy after sitting for long periods, it is a minor trade-off compared to the pain I lived with before. I am so grateful.

Tech Updates: Dual Operating Systems

I’m currently backing up my hard drive to perform a "clean sweep" and partition it. I’ve used Mac OS Panther on my eMac for six years, but I’m adding Tiger to better support YouTube and modern websites. It’s my first time setting up a dual OS, so I’m hoping for a smooth process!

New Life for the North Star Community Center

After our local elementary students transferred to Versailles, our town inherited the school building. It’s a wonderful facility with six classrooms, a gym, and a library, and the community is already making excellent use of it.

Until next time, stay safe, healthy, and happy!