I've been seeing skies of blue a lot lately, trees of green too. I know I live in gray rainy western Washington, but I can't help being upbeat. Back in 1968 there was a bit of tumult going down in the USA, a lot of unrest at home, fears of hydrogen bombs exploding, assassinations, undeclared/unpopular war, etc. Louis Armstrong was known as an accomplished jazz trumpeter and singer who was perhaps the first African American entertainer who was accepted by all in what was then a racially divided country. What might be news to folks is that it wasn't until 1968, three years before his death that this song was recorded. Written by Bob Thielle and George David Weiss, it was first offered to Tony Bennett who turned it down. I chose it as one of my favorite songs because of the optimistic tone, and how it exemplifies life's miracles. After I read about Mr. Armstrong I had to share the highlights and ask everyone to read more. He was a very complex character for sure.
I was able to swim for the first time on a little over a year yesterday, it felt so good to do a little somersault into the pool and then glide my way to the first lap. I wasn't nearly as fast or efficient as I used to be, but was able to swim for almost an hour with no pain. I watched Yvonne zoom past me in the next lane just like the dolphin I know is in her and said to myself that "one day I will be half as fast as her again!". I will be swimming again today before I head in for some meetings. In the stem cell transplant world, when you receive your new cells it is considered your new birthday. I will be one this Saturday May 14. It looks like my chemo will start next week for one or maybe two sessions depending how next week goes.
There are a lot of wonderful stories going on, grabbing a hold of one sure makes this rainy gray weather seem like sunshine.
I was able to swim for the first time on a little over a year yesterday, it felt so good to do a little somersault into the pool and then glide my way to the first lap. I wasn't nearly as fast or efficient as I used to be, but was able to swim for almost an hour with no pain. I watched Yvonne zoom past me in the next lane just like the dolphin I know is in her and said to myself that "one day I will be half as fast as her again!". I will be swimming again today before I head in for some meetings. In the stem cell transplant world, when you receive your new cells it is considered your new birthday. I will be one this Saturday May 14. It looks like my chemo will start next week for one or maybe two sessions depending how next week goes.
There are a lot of wonderful stories going on, grabbing a hold of one sure makes this rainy gray weather seem like sunshine.
14 comments:
We used Armstrong's version as one of our wedding songs :-)
Dearly love it, it to me is also faith based
Another song you might like is " On Holy Ground"
It was also sung by Barbra Strisland(sp)but She modified the sond removing Jesus from it. The origional version was written for a new church dedication, The minister who wrote it said he sweated for months trying to write a song, and ended up writting it the night before the dedication.
I sent you an email at the address you gave me, Greg.
Andrei
good job.... one of these days you will be back to normal... just like me...normal???? TRex
Hooray for your swim, I can easily imagine your joy in your description. Rock on, Big A
Glad you are doing so well! Tad's Chicken n Dumplings isounds fine! Cathy
If Yvonne is a dolphin, you are also a dolphin!! You two are a lovely pair!!!!! It was good to see you on Monday!! :-)
It's almost sunny today, it's going to be a good day! It was very nice to see you Alice, you look so young!
Congrats to our daughter Natalie, she has a new job as a pharmaceutical sales rep in Oahu.
So glad you have blue skies in more ways than one! Life is full of miracles right in front of us everyday. Like the momma bluebird we just saw sitting on her nest and the nest in another of our bluebird boxes with another egg added after the four from last week.
We finished 2 straight days of non-stop rain--thought I was in Seattle! Our rain gauge said 3.25 inches. But the sun came out today. Just doesn't want to get warm.
So glad you are back in the swim of things.
A very happy one year old tomorrow! A chance to look at all those miracles with the eyes of a child. Enjoy!
Mary D.
Thanks for the nice comments Mary- I have to figure out a good birthday song other than Birthday!
Happy Brithday Greg! Sounds like you are doing good and enjoy a well deserved vaction. Bob Meyer
Happy Birthday Greg! You have come along way this year on this `Long and Winding Road.`With lot of Love Yvonne
Post a Comment