2 March 2001 Greetings, Norm and Nancy! Happy Sabbath to your family. I have just read your update #2. Your words brought back some memories...... Just a little history since I haven't seen you (Norm) for several years now: I had a critical illness in 1988 lasting almost exactly 10 years. At one point, I was told by the doctors that they had done everything they could do and if things didn't turn around, I had a couple hours left. The only reason I tell you this is so that you will know I've been there......... I won't bore you with the details, just want you to know that what I'm going to say is from a different perspective than some others who you may be hearing from. (Excuse my grammar) I am pleased that you (Nancy) have taken emergency measures when needed, and at the same time are educating yourself regarding your options. I think that's smart. God will tell us where we're wrong.....don't worry about the rest. Kahlil Gibran wrote: I have learned silence from the talkative; tolerance from the intolerant and kindness from the unkind. I should not be ungrateful to those teachers. Every situation we experience, every individual we encounter offers us valuable insights about life and living it more fully. We learn what we appreciate in people by confronting what disturbs us.....and learn more about ourselves.........inevitably, this changes everything....our relationship with ourself, our family, our God. The thing I appreciate in your updates, Norm, is that you both seem to be learning this sooooo much faster than I did. Nancy will probably not appreciate the well-meaning "advice" now, but later she will look at it differently. Really! She will have insight into people that she never had before, she will know herself better than she ever did AND God will know so many ways He can trust her that He didn't know before. It is not going to be fully appreciated until later, so don't dismay when you get "help" from others.....you'll probably acquire a skill of smiling and saying thank you........remember, they are trying to help........and help in the best way they can according to what they know. All that is required is that you be polite. Yes, to everything there is a season! A time for every purpose under heaven. You have rather quickly gone through the "gathering information" season, and are beginning the "acting on the best information" season. Congratulations! I was dancing for joy when you mentioned Richard Schulze. My opinion (for what it's worth) is that he's a genious. Just FYI, Norm, remember J.B.? She married K. and they have three boys. J. owns the Xxxxxx Hygiene Center outside of Xxxxxxxx. She does body work, reflexology, colonics, deep muscle therapy, herbology. She introduced me to Dr. Schulze's American Botanical Pharmacy News long ago. She also attended Dr. Biser's school. She has been doing amazing work. Hope you remember her -- she's a fantastic resource! Anyway, what I think you'll find is that when Nancy is comfortable with the path she has chosen, she will be able to express that choice to others in a calm, but straightforward way, because she'll be in a place of peace that others won't understand. You'll get tired of: -- well meaning folks deciding what you should/should not do. -- advice from those who have never had more than a cold in their lives. -- feeling as though you are drowning, just able to keep your head above water, and some days everyone who comes your way seems determined to push you under. Sometimes, Nan, when you are so ill that you can't put even a thought together in a coherent way, you will take comfort in knowing that prayers of those who love you are going up to the Father every day..........even those who haven't met you, but love you because Norm does. You will never be the same again.......but I can promise you that you will be a stronger, more faithful Nancy than you ever were. It takes a concentrated effort to recognize the value of every moment. The lessons are there, it's just that the most helpful ones are the ones least appreciated or understood in this precious present moment. Much love, and blessings on your family, M.E.