January 22, 2010

Joyce was so dear to come on Tuesday evening to be with me on Wednesday to have the skin cancer removed from my nose. She was able to be in the room with me during the four hour process; so she observed  the complete  Mohs Surgery.  She commented that she thought Dr. Ligon and his staff did an excellent job. I was relieved to hear the Dr. say after the second sample that the margins were clear. I was instructed to keep the incision clean with soap and water, moist with vaseline, and covered with a bandaid. I am to come back next Wednesday to have the many stitches removed.  I am not having much discomfort.

Joyce stayed until after lunch on Thursday.  We planted the lovely little Dwarf Alberta Spruce tree that Betsy sent for Christmas. It had been decorated with lights, tiny flower pots, straw hats, and miniature gardening tools!  I hope it will be happy at the head of our little pet graves in the side yard where Mousie Cat, Molly and Patches are buried.

Today is Gene's birthday.  He would be 85.  Lynn and I took four roses from last Sunday's church arrangement to place by his headstone at the National Military Cemetery.
              






Gene always liked to celebrate special occasions and he especially enjoyed his birthday.  On his 80th birthday, we had been settled in Chattanooga for about two years.  Lynn helped me plan for his birthday.  We invited all the family, folks from church, other friends and neighbors.  Gene had commented that if we put 80 candles on the cake, we would have to call the fire department to put out the blaze!  So Lynn suggested that we invite the crew from the fire department just down the street to the party.

There were about 25 guests enjoying the festivities, and we had a cake with 80 candles on it. So just as we were lighting the candles the firemen in full fire gear  rushed in fire extinguishers and axes in hand. Gene loved it!  I have been remembering the many birthdays we celebrated together during the 63+ years we spent meeting the daily challenges of life in the reflection of God's gracious blessings and those promises we made to God and each other on April 12, 1946.