Cooperative Living June 2024 - 34

RURAL LIVING
A Heartfelt Thank You
Post-surgery notes, knitted items and a gnome
by Margo Oxendine, Contributing Columnist
M
y heart is
full. And,
half of it,
anyway, is repaired
aſt er my fi rst
surgery in April.
I was amazed at
how " easily " it was done, and it was
also easy to recover.
I am walking every day again, and
that is a joy. I may be a bit slower, and
I may not go quite as far, but to be out
in nature and among trees and wildlife
does wonders for me.
What my heart is fi lled with, though,
is gratitude to you, Cooperative Living
readers. I have a stack of at least 100
cards and notes and well wishes from
you. I just can't convey how much each
one means to me. Almost every card
included words of encouragement and
prayer. Th ank you!
Some cards included things I'd never
expected. One day, I came home to
fi nd my mailbox fi lled with a big brown
package someone had spent $11 to send.
What could it be, I wondered as I parked
the car.
It was a lovely hand-knit " prayer
shawl " in shades of pink and purple -
my favorites! Also in the package was a
[ SCENE IT! ]
cute little gnome sporting
a hand-knitted cap with a
pompom. I named him Homer.
He's a good luck charm. Th e prayer
shawl came in very handy at UVA
hospital. I used it to keep warm in the
chilly room and, of course, prayed
mightily while I was wearing it. Th ank
you, talented reader!
One fi ne artist, " Driver Dave, " sent
me several hand-drawn cards that made
me smile. Th ank you, Driver Dave!
Another reader sent a tiny square of
cloth with a cross inside. She suggested
I carry it in my purse. I do.
Many of you, knowing of my love
for Brownie, sent cards picturing
beagles, or in one, a pile of pug puppies
surrounding a surprised-looking kitty.
It was hilarious.
I received quite a few handwritten
letters, telling me of the writer's own
experience with what I am going
through, and off ering lots of heartfelt
support and soothing words.
Th e " thinking of you " emails were
another deluge that made me grateful.
I think and hope I answered every
single one. Th e emails were sent to the
newspaper offi ce so, in addition to
their other " real " duties, Samantha and
Emily, who received them, had to forward
them to me. I appreciate that too.
My full intention is to send
a thank-you note to everyone
who went to the trouble to send
me a card. I plan to get started on
that very, very soon, but I don't know
how long it may take me to whittle
down the pile, and then fi nish it. I hope
all of you know, though, I appreciated
and treasure every single one.
Here's another thing I am grateful for:
rides to and from Charlottesville. It is
diffi cult to fi nd someone who will agree
to give up an entire day, sitting behind
the wheel of a car, or in a waiting room
chair, for someone who is not their
closest friend or relative. Th e gentleman
who drove to Charlottesville to bring
me home aſt er surgery went above
and beyond, really. He was a good
conversationalist, and an even better
driver. He even carted my suitcase into
the house. Th ank you, Mr. D.A.
So, my heart is overfl owing with
gratitude, and my aorta is healing.
Aſt er my next surgery, I plan to be
" up and at 'em " again.
Wouldn't you know: When I called
a friend to get another friend's number
to beg for a ride, she off ered to do it
herself. Ain't life grand? Yes, friends, it is.
Th ank you all very much.
For everything.
*
To order a copy of Margo's " A Party of One, "
call 540-468-2147 Mon.-Wed., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.,
or email therecorderoffi ce@gmail.com.
SMITH ISLAND, MD
CL WHEREZ IT?
Look for the CL logo, like the one above, in the pages of this issue of
Cooperative Living. Submit the page number where you found it, along with
your name, email and phone number to WherezIt, c/o Cooperative Living,
4201 Dominion Boulevard, Suite 101, Glen Allen, VA 23060 or go online
at co-opliving.com under " Contests. " Deadline is June 20. The winner will
receive a $25 Amazon email gift card.
32 * Cooperative Living * June 2024
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PHOTO BY MILDRED MARSH, ANEC MEMBER
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Cooperative Living June 2024

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