Thank you so much, dear GON readers, for all of your notes, prayers, and well-wishes for my
husband, Joe, who recently went through a serious emergency surgery. We appreciate it more than you know. I am happy to report that he is on the mend and improving each day.
When a health scare hits your family, I can attest that ordinary life can feel like it has been tossed in the air. Meals, mail, medicine, appointments...suddenly
everything matters, and everything feels urgent.
If you’re walking through something similar (or want to be ready to help a friend who is), here are a few calm, small moves that make a big difference.
1) Start a One-Page Health Hub: Grab a sheet of paper (or the Notes app on your phone) and list the essentials: diagnosis, doctor names, phone numbers, current meds, next appointment date/time, and one question you want answered next. Keep it in your purse or on your phone. Update after every visit or phone call...two minutes, done.
2) Use the “Tray Rule”: Choose a tray as a landing zone for anything medical: discharge papers, prescriptions, thermometer, etc. One home for it all means less hunting when you’re tired. 3) Create a 5-Minute Meal Plan: Write three super-simple meals you can make on auto-pilot (e.g., rotisserie chicken + bagged salad; veggie omelet + toast; soup
+ cut fruit). Post the list on the fridge.
4) Time Your Tasks to Your Energy: Match chores to how you feel.
Low energy = swap pillowcases, refill the pill organizer, set out tomorrow’s outfit
Medium energy = safely dispose of expired meds, load the
dishwasher
High energy = batch-cook or do a quick pickup of one room. Permission granted to do less.
5) Keep a “Kindness Clipboard”: Hang a clipboard or keep a note titled “People to Thank.” Jot names and the meal
they gave you or task they did for you. When you have five minutes, write one thank-you text or address one card/note. Gratitude is grounding...and it keeps relationships strong. 6) Set a Daily, Doable Check-In: Pick a consistent time (e.g., 7:30 p.m.) for a two-sentence update to close family or a group text: “Today’s
win… Tomorrow’s need…” It reduces repeat questions and prevents you from feeling like a 24/7 switchboard.
7) Protect a Tiny Pocket of Peace: Choose one small ritual you’ll keep even on the hard days: a cup of tea on the porch, stretching your back for two minutes, or reading a single page before bed. Tiny moments of
calm refill your tank so you can keep going.
If You Want to Help Someone Else
During my husband’s recovery, friends and family continue to surround us with the kind of support that truly makes a difference.
One dropped off a healing vase filled with beautiful flowers. We received many meals that gave me a break from cooking. Friends loaned us medical equipment like a shower chair and a wheelchair, which made daily routines easier.
Another friend mowed our lawn...many times. I didn't even know who was doing it until I caught him one night driving his mower across my lawn.
Someone else gave us gas gift cards for all the trips back and forth to medical appointments. Many others sent cards filled with encouragement, and offers of “any help you need” kept our hearts lifted.
What I’ve learned is this: it doesn’t take grand gestures to ease a
heavy season. Flowers brighten a room, meals remove stress, equipment saves energy, and words of encouragement remind you that you’re not alone.
To everyone who reached out...thank you again. Your kindness lightened our load and reminded us that even in the hard seasons, we’re surrounded by good people. If you’re in a hard season too,
I’m cheering you on. You’ve got this.
P.S. Halloween is just around the corner...here's some inspiration! Looking for fun, cozy, and not-so-spooky finds that add seasonal charm without the fright? Explore my handpicked idea list!:
