It's a Wonderful Life

*Disclaimer! I'm on prescription meds so please forgive any errors in this post.*

George Bailey ain't got nothin' on me.

Remember the end of the movie, when he opens a copy of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer that the angel Clarence left for him? The inscription reads, "no man is a failure who has friends." And remember how the whole town chipped in to save George from financial ruin? As a result of the town's generosity, George's brother, Harry, toasted him as "the richest man in town."

In fact, I am the richest gal in town. I have been utterly humbled by the generosity of people in my life: some I never met, some I barely know, and some I consider dear friends. After this week, those strangers and almost-strangers shall henceforth and always be counted among my dear, dear friends.

Here is a short list of how I have been blessed by the generosity of others these past several days:

1. Two women (one I've never met) who have undergone mastectomies relatively recently were willing, even eager, to answer my questions and tell me about their experiences.

2. My department colleagues sent me a pair of cozy soft pajamas to recuperate in.

3. Tens of people (I don't think I can even count the number) have prayed and are praying for me.

4. Aunt Piddy in Atlanta sent BonnieBlue a "surgery day" box. Inside was a bunch of candy, cookies, crayons, coloring and activity books, and mini-horses to keep her busy on the day of my mastectomy.

5. My dear friend, Melly, with whom I work, came to sit with me the night I was in the hospital and was absolutely willing to stay all night had I not kicked her out. Before she came to the hospital she dropped off not one, not two, but 3 freezer meals!

6. Greg from TellingDad blog (again, someone I have never met) dedicated a blog post to me and my breasts. You can read it here: http://www.tellingdad.com/2012/ta-ta-tata/
He ought to win an award for the title alone. While you're there, read some of his other posts. He's a funny guy.

7. Rhett's work colleagues sent me a fruit bouquet.

8. The administration of the university I work for sent me a gorgeous flower arrangement.

9. Mama Pea, quilter extraordinaire and unofficial mentor, made and sent me a table runner that reminds me of the beach, which is my happy place. See her pattern review and the finished product here: Summer Table Runner (I would have taken a picture, but I am currently experiencing the effects of a prescription pain killer and a muscle relaxer and the steps involved in taking the picture, uploading to my computer, resizing, etc. is more than I can handle right now).

10. One of my friends, a nurse, stopped by the evening I came home to check on my drains and chat. She brought me ice cream.

I'm pretty sure Graeters' Black Raspberry Chip can hasten the recovery of anything. But just in case, she brought me a pint of chocolate Haagen Daz, too.

11. Another nurse friend stopped by the day after I was discharged to clean and re-dress the "wound." (and she brought a yummy meal with her)

12. One of my sisters drove 1.5 hours to see me today to clean and dress my wound.

13. People have been dropping off meals everyday starting on the day I had surgery.

14. Four people have sent cards; one even sent me an amazon.com gift card encouraging me to download a book to enjoy while recuperating.

15. Three different families have taken BonnieBlue home with them to play for a few hours each day so that I can rest.

16. Another dear friend tonight dropped off another pint of Graeter's Black Rasperry Chip because really, we here in Central Ohio absolutely do believe in the healing powers of that ice cream.

That isn't even all of it! I am simply in awe of the selfless service I have witnessed. What a great lesson for me to be a better giver of service once I am better and able to give of my time and talents.

I'm hoping that time will be soon.

The next time I post, I'll synopsize my surgery experience.