Hi all. I heard this from a professor but am not sure it's a quote of his or someone else's.

We fail to notice, what we fail to notice,
until we notice, that wefail to notice.

It struck deep within me that day in class and has stayed with me. I've noticed that there is a lot to learn from illnes and physical weakness.

I must admit I've been guilty of being annoyed by people who aren't quick to respond or move very slowly. Whether they were young or older didn't matter wasting time did. Well guess what? HE has ways of making us notice. During my recovery I haven't been moving too fast and because of meds I've been slow on the uptake and response not to mention shortness of breath. I noticed I had become the kind of person that can be annoying if not understood. I think I'm done being annoyed and believe there's no big hurry to get somewhere or say something the important thing is getting there eventually and saying it finally.

I've noticed it takes a strong person to admit they are weak and need help. It may even take a stronger person to ask for it than to give it.

I've noticed that simple luxuries are often taken for granted. Tonight is just the end of the second week I've been able to sleep laying in my own bed. Gee, poor me, but how about the street person who has no bed? Bet they'd switch for the recliner I was confined to and the soft warm comforter that covered me.

I've noticed that somehow some way we touch more lives than we ever suspect. It's amazing how the folks here have opened their hearts to a perfect stranger. Some even taking the time to email their best wishes and prayers for a quick recovery. Good enough reason to always be the best person we know how to be. The impact we have could be a negative one.

I've noticed that Sunday and so far today are the first two days in an awfully long time that I'm not wishing that I was someone else or lifting my eyes up and asking HIM to just take me and stop the suffering. I guess before I get/got better HE wanted me to notice some things.

I've noticed that although I know none of you personally, you've come to truly matter to me and that I'm glad to have found this place. Thus my plea. I know none of us can do much about what we inherit genetically. Heart conditions run rampant in my family. An uncle died fourteen years younger than I am which means I really beat the odds living this long with no (known) heart disease. If I knew then what I know all to well now, I'd have never taken the first puff of a cigarette. Smoking causes an irritation to the artery walls. That makes the body produce a substance to sort of patch the irritation. Like plaque from a bad diet The more we smoke the more irritation and substance buildup. Narrowed arteries cause the heart to work harder to pump the blood. If this goes on for too long the heart becomes very weak and then a surgery such as mine won't even help. PLEASE DON'T SMOKE OR BE AROUND SECOND HAND SMOKE!

For those who drink please do so with moderation and watch those diets. I wouldn't want any of you to have my experience. My visiting nurses told me that many people who have bypass surgery are ten or so years older than me. Having been in pretty good shape and younger than others makes me wonder how much more horrible it must be for the? I thnk I'll be taking better of God's body from now on.

Actually I haven't slept yet and it's after 4:00am my time. Kinda cool being up and NOT because of pain. Please know you've all been in my prayers and thoughts even when I wasn't on line.

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HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good to see you around. I must confess I kinda chomp at the bit to read your next post each time it gets quiet. I have to tell myself to just be patient and wait on you to get well instead of harassing you to post more

You are loved and missed and I for one am glad you are on the mend!

(ps I agree on the cigarettes. Because of God's blessing, I have been smoke free for over ten years now.)

Edit- I think your Prof was a wise man. it is one of those maturity issues that have fought playfully agianst all my adult life seriously though, you are right. Until we stop and take stock of our lives we will never know what is blowing right by on the winds. thanks for the reminder!

Hey Kris/Thom...great hearing from you...I'm glad that you're well on your way to mending...your post really gets to the "heart" of the matter no pun intended ...thanks for sharing. I for one always look forward to reading your posts they are always so enlightening and inspirational...it continues to amaze me how caring the people on this website are to "virtual strangers"..nothing but the mutual love of our Lord and Savior could make that possible. Kris/Thom take care of yourself don't overdo and I look forward to hearing from you again...
PS ...I too agree on the cigarettes...Lotsa luv Haze

How's your health doing now Thom, still on the mend?

Yep, with the grace of God still mending. Still have mild musculoskeletal discomfort and get short of breath sometimes but doing well. Thanks for asking Allen.

Hey Thom, I have both those things and haven't had heart procedures...

I think you're doing GREAT!!!