Tuna Cakes

My Husband,My Hero

I woke up this morning to my husband lovingly checking on me.He then asked me "Do you know how much I love you?"This man has been through everything with me and has been the strongest person I have ever seen. We have been through alot in the past 4 years.In 2006 I was diagnosed with kidney disease and End Stage Renal Failure.After a year of iron IVs and several transfusions,the doctors decided to start dialysis.As painful as this was for me,my husband never gave up or gave in to all of the stress.He simply comforted me and made me feel safe.He even learned how to do home dialysis to help me feel more comfortable.He is now certified to administer dialysis.He did all of this for me.
In July of 2008 we recieved the best call of our lives and found out that I was matched to a donor.(My angel!)We were told that the surgery was fairly easy to recover from.You see I had a pancreas transplant too.What we didn't know was that the pancreas was infected.Two days after receiving the pancreas it had to be removed.I was put on a ventolator with 20% lung function and stayed in the hospital for a month.This man NEVER left my side.He also pain stakingly clean and changed my bandages when we got home.It was a 28 inch long scar and took about 3 months to heal.
This man is my savior,my knight in shining armour and my life.I thank God for him everyday.

What Easter Lillies Represent

The lily, from Ryukyu Islands of Japan, adapted well to the climate. By 1945, west coast growers producing the bulbs numbered over one thousand. In the commercial market, Easter lilies rank only behind poinsettias, mums, and azaleas as the largest potted plant in the United States, even though they are only sold two weeks out of the year.

The elegantly beautiful and majestic white lily has been a popular subject in history, mythology, and art. In the Bible, the lily is referred to in the Sermon on the Mount when Christ said, "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they toil not, neither do they spin and yet Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of those."

Lilies are often called the "White-Robed Apostles of Hope". Lilies were discovered in the Garden of Gethsemane after Christ died on the cross. During the Easter season, churches line their altars and envelop their crosses with a multitude of Easter Lilies, to signify the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope of eternal life.

The pure white lily has long been a symbol of womanhood, especially in early works of art. In many early paintings, the angel Gabriel is seen presenting a branch of lilies to the Virgin Mary when informing her that she is to be the mother of the Christ child. In other paintings, saints bring vases of white lilies to Mary and Jesus. It is traditionally believed that when Eve was cast out of the Garden of Eden, she cried tears of repentance from which sprung pure white lilies: true repentance is the first step towards beauty.

Happy Spring 2010

Hi Guys,

Just a quick note to all of my friends.This time of year often makes us think about new life.

The beauty that surrounds us most of the year (in Louisiana)has returned and God shows us the

beauty of his gift to us.

Most of us realize by now that life is a gift and we are meant to live it to the fullest.I was contacted this

week by Serge Vaillencourt, a person who has truly recieved his calling and is giving back.He is an advocate for spreading the news about organ donation.Organ donation is often something people don't really think about until asked.Serge lives in Canada and sees the need for educating the public.It's fairly simple in the U.S. simply by putting Donor on your driver's liscence.



Serge and I are both alive today because someone took the time to care. Please visit

www.donatelife.com to find out more.



Thanks and Happy Spring



Shawn

Norma in the Hospital

A sweet grandmother telephoned St. Joseph's Hospital. She timidly asked, "Is it possible to speak to someone who can tell me how a patient is doing?"

The operator said, "I'll be glad to help, dear. What's the name and room number of the patient?"

The grandmother in her weak, tremulous voice said, "Norma Findlay, Room 302."

The operator replied, "Let me put you on hold while I check with the nurse's station for that room."

After a few minutes, the operator returned to the phone and said, "I have good news.. Her nurse just told me that Norma is doing well. Her blood pressure is fine; her blood work just came back normal and her physician, Dr. Cohen, has scheduled her to be discharged tomorrow."

The grandmother said, "Thank you. That's wonderful. I was so worried. God bless you for the good news."

The operator replied, "You're more than welcome. Is Norma your daughter?"

The grandmother said, "No, I am Norma Findlay in Room 302. No one tells me shit."

The Beauty Within
By Eileen Ramage ©1996

Such beauty that lies within

No joy that can compare.

You can search the world all over.

You won't find it anywhere.



You may like the shine of diamonds,

The glitter of pure gold,

A body that is beautiful.

Nice things that you can hold.



All these things are fragile.

Get old and pass away.

But the beauty that lies within us

Lasts forever come what may.



This rare and special beauty

Can lay hidden from your view.

I know that you can find it

By searching within you.



Great joy I know will follow.

Your life will now be free.

The serenity that you'll feel

You then can share with me.

Backyard Bayou Kitchen

Backyard Bayou...

A Collection of Lou...

By Shawn M. Chase

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