internalmedicine.wustl.edu
I wish you a beautiful Easter – whether you are celebrating today, as we are hear in Thailand, or whether this is ‘early’ and you will. be celebrating tomorrow.
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Easter is not widely celebrated in Thailand, since most of the people are Buddhist. I am full of wonderful memories of celebrating Easter as I grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
I particularly remember getting some new, fancier clothes to wear to church. One year stands out in particular. My mom got me a pale pink angora sweater and a skirt that was tweed, bringing out the same pink contrasted with a pale grey. I felt like an angel in that outfit!
I loved the Easter church service, as well. We children would walk down the center aisle singing a hymn. When we reached the front, we would fan out and sing a second hymn, and then file out again with a third. We felt like such a special part of the celebration to be included that way. There was an organist who played every Sunday. My heart would fill when I heard her play. And then we all settled to listen to the sermon. Our minister had a deep, resonant voice that simply filled the room, making you want to hear every word. He kept his sermons simple, real, and everyone recognized the truth and wisdom he spoke. I can still hear his voice as he ended each sermon, his voice almost making the walls expand in the huge space, the sanctuary filled to the brim with listeners, saying, “AMEN!” The music would fill the room again as we all filed out, hoping to get one more word with him as we thanked him for his sermon. Such a beautiful, beautiful memory.
This church is in Tulsa. My Harvey and I were married in this church by that same minister. He performed our daughter’s funeral. Our daughter’s ashes are spread in the memorial garden to the side of the church where roses bloom in profusion much of the year. He performed the funerals of my mother and father. The minister is gone now, but he will have a special place in my heart forever.
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Wakefieldpetvet.com
I opted out of going to the gym this morning. I didn’t sleep well, had a bad charley-horse last night, and my blood pressure and blood oxygen readings were low this morning for some unknown reason. I texted Brian, slept an hour more, shared a delicious breakfast with him, and now feel fine. We are planning to meet at the cafe this afternoon, just to get out a bit. He’ll work on his computer and I’ll take my art bag so I can sketch.
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The only adverse effects I’m having from the air pollution “Hot and Hazy” season here so far is that my eyes are irritated and very dry. Yesterday Brian found some good eyedrops that are really helping. So I put in a couple of drops in each eye several times a day and I’m good to go!
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Country Living Magazine
creativeartworksblog 
I love reading your blog. I read it every day and feel like I know you, Harvey and the wonderful son you raised. As I’ve told you before, my mum had a catastrophic stroke and was unable to eatbor talk for the last 6 years of her life. I know how hard having a loved one living with the effects of a stroke is, and how each visit can be so different. Each visit can have moments that are heartbreaking, then there can be that one moment when the person you love clearly shows you they are still “in there” and that gives us the strength to keep going. Your positive attitude and your striving for acceptance of what life has dealt you are an inspiration.
I know you dont know me, but i want you to know you and your family have my very best wishes.
love Lesley-Ann (Edinburgh Scotland)
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Wow, Lesley-Ann. I have tears in my eyes after reading your comment. You clearly DO know what it’s like; and you’re right, that ‘one moment’ you rarely get makes all the rest worth it. Thank you SO MUCH for your good wishes. I feel so lucky that our son and I can go visit my husband, and that he and I grow closer each day as regular ‘people’ rather than “mother and son”. That means the world to me. I wish you a Happy Easter and all the good things there are in this life. Thanks for making my day.
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Happy Easter to you! How blessed you are to have such Happy memories of your church and your pastor. Hope you continue to feel better.
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Happy Easter to you, Linda. Thank you for your good wishes. I think I’ll be fine for tomorrow.
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I love reading your blog every day and seeing things through your “eyes” as you describe them.
I was “watching” your Church service with your beautiful clothes and singing as you all walked down the aisle.
Imaging you and your Harvey getting married at that Church, your precious daughter’s funeral, the ashes being spread in the garden where roses grow, and the funeral of your parents. I feel the happiness of your wedding day and the sadness of the passing of your daughter and parents.
I agree with the comments made by Lesley-Ann, your positive attitude and your striving for acceptance of what life has dealt you are an inspiration. You are truly an inspiration.
I do wish you a very Happy Easter and God’s Blessings for you, your son and your Harvey. (Donna)
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What a beautiful message, Donna. I wish YOU a Happy Easter, too, and I so appreciate the blessings for us. Thank you for writing, sweet lady.
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What a beautiful yet poignant story of your church and minister in Tulsa, Linda! I didn’t know about all that, but it colors in a bit more detail of your life for sure. I never thought about where you and Harvey got married or laid Jade to rest. What a full circle moment though! And that ROSES grow where she was laid to rest! Oh!!
Happy Easter, Linda!
You also had me holding my breath that your blood pressure and oxygen level was low this morning! Ugh! I’m glad it has normalized now! Do take care, my friend! I know you will, but just saying.
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Thank you so much for your caring note, Sheila. I monitor my numbers daily and alter my activities accordingly. If we see any patterns, we’ll ask to see the doctor again. Please don’t worry. Happy Easter, Sheila!
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Okay, I try never to worry, but after everything that happened to you and Harvey in Arkansas before you moved, well, you know! (And not to mention Harvey AFTER you moved). But that’s so good that you’re monitoring your numbers. Yay! And Brian’s close so there’s that. HUGS!
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I’m am monitoring my numbers every morning. I’m also listening to my body. Yesterday I felt a bit woozy and ‘off,’ so I opted out of the gym, slept another hour and rested for short periods throughout the day. Today, with similar numbers, I felt GOOD. I had slept well and decided I would try the gym. All was good. Brian and I can reach each other in any of several ways, so that’s all good, too.
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Wonderful!
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Thank you, Sheila
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FYI Linda, I finally got my Easter sketch uploaded to my laptop and wrote a short blog article so you could see it. I save one of yours every few days to use as a model. I loved how this one turned out (though I made a mistake on the right side belly line of it, that my daughter suggested if that ever happened, I should just draw another line and then cover it up–in this case, that worked because there were those little fur-like lines on it. Woo-hoo! Hope you like it! Happy Easter dear friend! https://sheilamurrey.net/2026/04/05/integrating-the-spirals-easter-sketch-using-brush-tip-marker-and-oil-pastels/
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Happy Easter to you and your family, as well. Brian and I went to the gym this morning, shared breakfast, and just walked to take my laundry to a different place, since our usual place is closed for Easter. So I’ve gotten a good amount of walking in already today and have set up for yoga stretches I’ll do very shortly. On the sketches, I would be absolutely lost without my large eraser. I start the drawing, then refine and refine until it shows some semblence of looking like what I’m trying to draw…
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Love you got lots of walking in, Linda! We couldn’t walk because it poured rain down. But at least I did my indoor exercises. And took good care of my foot. Thank you for the tip about getting a large eraser!
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You probably don’t need one. Sheila, but I wouldn’t leave home without it!!!! 😜
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