I am alas not as full today as I was yesterday. Tuesday two weeks ago I was less hungry than I am today. Walking around feeling full all day yesterday made my stomach want more and it is not happy about getting only cucumber and celery for snacks. I am very much looking forward to my low cal cottage pie I will have for dinner soon – very soon.

Even if my stomach is not so full today my heart is full of gratitude. What a neighborhood we live in! This morning Lois did a round of grocery shopping for us and brought back everything on our list (even toilet paper). And our next door neighbor Daiana brought us passion fruits and limes from their garden along with several packets of frozen fish – not from their garden – I think – I have not seen any tuna splashing around there. Thank you both so much. And not only that – Carol and Deena brought over more salted caramels today. I will definitely put some of those in my chemo bag ready to be enjoyed together with some ice cubes on Thursday while I’m hooked up to the IV bags. Right now I’m just circling around the caramel box, giving it my best stink eye, with an accompanying big sigh.

The crisis situation we all are in now, and with me on top of this having to be extra careful, really shows how important it is to live in a community where people help each other. And from my point of view it also shows me the importance of gratefully and gracefully receiving care and help. It’s often hard to accept help without feeling bad or embarrassed, and feel the immediate urge to give back. Right now I am unfortunately in a situation where I can’t give back and I do need help. I am now gratefully and gracefully accepting help, while promising that I will be there for you, when you need me.