Dear Reader:

Sometimes it is really strange how I can be looking for something and one of the sources that pop up on the internet for me to look at  is “Chapel of Hope Stories.” That always makes me laugh!

Sis, for some reason the expression you told me about that your mother used…”How THOUGHTY of you” in response to a kind deed popped up in my mind. I wondered if there were any Thank You cards out there that used the word “Thoughty” and bingo…these two relic ballerina thank you cards from the forties popped up on Pinterest.

If you look closely at the first ballerina card on the left you will see the line under the drawing, “How Thoughty of You”…now we know that your mom was using a popular colloquialism from the past…the forties.

I have fallen in love with that expression and find myself responding to a kind deed or act with an oral “thoughty” response more times than not!

While on my expedition to find a ‘thoughty’ thank you card, I came across another old photo of the Tip Top Inn at Pawleys that the Dingles ran for many years… and I discovered this vintage post card.

When I pulled it up there was another blog post from an earlier Chapel of Hope Stories (post) telling the family joke about the clock, once found on the wall in the dining room, that had no numbers…just the words “Who Cares?”  I searched high and low for a replica but the closest I could find was a “Who Cares…I’m Retired” which works well too.  (The only problem being, of course, is now that I am retired and could have gone and stayed there…a little storm by the name of Hugo washed it away.)

Yesterday was my monthly visit to see my oncologist, Dr. Silgals. I was slightly apprehensive because the sinus infection and antiobiotics I am on, besides the chemo regiment, have made me feel like a rag doll. Every time I sit down I practically fall asleep…very unlike me. It made me wonder if my blood count was really low again.

But again…my worry was for nothing…the blood count was still about the same and I only have two more days on the Z-Pak so hopefully I can begin perking up again just in time for the wedding. The cancer, while not disappearing completely, is staying put and not venturing out so that news made me take a deep breath of relief. Bring the wedding on!

I, also, want to take a moment and thank all of you readers for taking time to make comments and add personal anecdotes…it means a lot to me. It is very “thoughty” of you!

Mari Gramling, a fellow Erskine graduate, remembered this powerful incident in her life concerning the beauty and healing of silence and time with God.

“Beck, this is one of my main memories of the 9/11 tragedy. I went “to the mountain” literally to try to find solitude and quiet. No one was out and about and all airplanes had been grounded.

On top of Pinnacle Mountain, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, I realized immediately that it was the only time I could remember and probably the only time I will ever experience the beautiful, unadulterated pure sounds of nature with no outside human interference. It was a gorgeous spiritual experience.”

Here is one Jo wrote yesterday:

Becky, as usual, I really enjoyed your thoughts today, but the story of the light bulb is so powerful that I just had to say, “Thank you,again.” I’m a big fan of “Light”. In fact, I get accused of using up our natural resources because I turn on the lights in my home all the time. However, there is no light as bright as the light God has provided us from the sun and through His Son. Love the image and feeling I get when I remember the words, “Jesus said, ‘I am the Light of the World’ “. You are absolutely correct that we just have to be sure to stay connected to the Source so that we might spread a little sunshine to others.

I loved that little story too, Jo….and the importance of staying connected to our source of light and hope. I saw and felt that again yesterday at my oncology appointment. For whatever reason…my white jacket high blood pressure problem has suddenly disappeared in the last few months….it is in the 120’s over the high sixties now when taken.

I must thank God for giving me the calmness to produce these great blood pressure levels…now I get smiles from the nurses taking my blood pressure and not frowns with me explaining I have white jacket high blood pressure syndrome.

“How “thoughty” of you God to give me the peace and serenity to show my ‘true colors’ or perhaps numbers!

As I came into the house around eight last evening…and darkness was quickly falling…I took pictures of the source of my light of happiness God has given me with my beloved home.

So until tomorrow….May we let God always be our source of light and hope for each day.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh