I'm Blessed/I'm Thankful . . . . .

Those are the words you hear from people here in Grand Cayman when you ask them how they are!  I'd say probably 80 - 85% of those who answer that question when I ask them respond with these words.  I had never heard a reply like that and I really like it.  Even non~Church goer's answer with those phrases.  Those words "I'm Blessed" and/or "I'm Thankful" are oh, so true!!   There are so many people worse off than I am.  Here's just a few examples: 

As I sit here on my sofa typing, there's a very, very large group of family and friends gathering over in our Sanctuary readying for a funeral.  The young lady that passed away was only 36 years old.  She had cancer and probably 1 1/2 - 2 years ago had her one foot amputated.  We were shocked when we heard she had died!  Her family doesn't attend our Church nor does Dennis have to do the funeral sermon (just prayer for the family).  The mother of this young lady within the last two years has buried both of her parents and I think one of her siblings and now her daughter.  I AM BLESSED!!

One of my good friends from our Church, Ceta, had been having really bad headaches for several weeks.  A co~worker of hers asked her to promise him she'd go to the doctor for a check~up.  She did.  After a few trips back and forth to the hospital for a CAT Scan and an MRI they found she had fluid on her brain.  You may say that is very scary!  Yes, it is very scary but when the medical field where you live isn't the best in the world it is even scarier when you are diagnosed with something to do with your brain!!  She wanted to go to Texas to be with her daughter for the surgery, but they said she shouldn't fly with this serious problem.  Many people prayed for Ceta and this past Monday she had surgery and they placed a shunt into her brain and the fluid is draining off and she's recovering well.  It could have been so much worse, but we're thanking God for His help.  Not sure what all maybe down the road for her, but for now she is good!  I AM BLESSED!!

Another one of my friends here, Celia, is probably around my age and is in very, very poor health.  The amazing thing is that she has lived long past the age that the doctor's said she would!  You see, when she was born they discovered that her heart is backward and it has a large hole in it, she has major problems with her lungs and so much more.  Just a few short weeks ago, she had to have what she called "a blood cleansing".  I think it's almost like a transfusion.  Then her body swelled up so much that she ended up going to the hospital (I think) for a day for them to drain fluid off!  She is one tough lady!!  And again, she's doing well for the condition her body is in!!  I AM BLESSED!!

Then there's our special friend Brother Latan.  If we ever met a saint it's him!  What a wonderful example he is of Jesus!!!  He's had some major health issues over the years and always bounced back.  Maybe a year or so after we moved to Cayman he had to have his gallbladder removed.  Most times now they do it by laser surgery and it's not near as bad as the old way when they cut you half way around your body (almost :o).  For some unknown reason, when the surgeon was operating he sewed up Laten's bile duct!!  The poor man just about died ~ several times because of the doctor's negligence.  He has suffered so much!  They air lifted him to Miami at least two different times when he was at death's door.  Not long ago, he was having some problems again related to the surgery, but once again he's doing good!!    I AM BLESSED!!

They sing a chorus at Church that goes like this:

"I am blessed,

I am blessed.

Everyday of my life I am blessed

When I wake up in the morning

'Til I lay my head to rest,

I am blessed,

I am blessed!"

Yes, as much as I hate to admit it I am getting older and do have my aches and pains, but I can say I AM BLESSED AND I AM THANKFUL because there are so many others that don't have as good as health as I do.  How about you??