An Irish Blessing

Top o' the morning to ya and a Happy Saint Patrick's Day.  I'm not sure why, but ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to be Irish.  The Irish always seemed to be having a good time, whilst sharing eloquent limericks and clever sayings.  As an adult, I learned that much of this was likely the result of the amount of alcohol they drank.  While touring in Ireland this past summer, we learned from a tour guide, that the water was either so terrible (from the diversion of the water supply through the paper mills) or less readily accessible than beer, that the children of Ireland (usually in the poorer suburbs of the city) were provided beer rather than water as their mode of hydration.  Now, I have never been able to validate this claim, nor do I recall what years this occurred, but it would explain their affinity toward alcohol and potentially why they always seemed to be singing and dancing.

What does all of this have to do with me?  Absolutely nothing.  In fact, I'm only posting today because I haven't written for quite some time and I don't want y'all wondering what happened.  This is my "post-infusion" week, wrought with nausea and fatigue and nothing worth bothering to report.  Even though I've had a total of 5 infusions, I'm still surprised at how much harder it kicks me to the ground each time.  Symptoms linger a little longer, subtle new symptoms arise (this week it's fingernail discoloration and leg cramps) and I sleep A LOT!  "Next week will be better," I tell myself.  Yet, I still yearn for that ability to crank through an 18 hour day at full steam.  It will come.  I know.

My day is filled with little victories.  Getting the tax paperwork together may have taken 4 days but it's now ready to send.  Calling for window washer estimates (so I might be able to enjoy looking out them) may be the one feat I accomplish.  Nonetheless, I still get to enjoy the greeting from my 16-year old son when he comes home from track or help him with his pre-calculus homework.  My two older kids will be home next week for Spring break and I should be feeling more spry to partake in their humorous banter.  Nearing the half way point of this journey, I still feel so blessed to have the love and support of so many and my husband by my side through it all.  While I still have about 14 miles to go in this marathon, with its hills and turns, the cheering and support along the way lighten the load and keep me propelling toward the finish line.

May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each smile. 
For every problem life sends, 
A faithful friend to share, 
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.