Today, Martin stayed with Sissy and her Texans party while Aunt Cheryl and I went to church. I woke up feeling terrible, with deep pain from my head to my toes, increasing with every move. My toes hurt and my fingers hurt. It hurt to open my eyes or move my limbs. This alone should have kept me home, but I was determined to go to church and express my gratitude for Martin's being fixed. I could have done this at home, but I just wanted to be in the House of God, and so, after two Aleve and some rest, I began to feel better. When I got to church, I was asked to give the opening prayer. This really pleased me, as I thought it would be appropriate to start my church visit with service. Before the service started, I was surrounded with many who wanted to let me know they had been praying for us and they were so happy that things went well. That is what I look forward to each week, being surrounded by all my loving friends, and their love and concern for me and Martin. Becky, Joe and Little Joe showed up, and as the chapel was full, had to sit apart from Aunt Cheryl and me. The opening song was sung, and it was time for me to offer the opening prayer. As I approached the podium, I felt my heart begin to overflow with love and gratitude. I stood for a moment, waiting for the members to bow their heads, and for that short moment, I could understand why I was just so overwhelmed with joy. For that split-second, I realized that all the happiness that I have known with my friends and family, would continue exponetially, even if I did not have Martin with me on this earth. Looking at all of those who have shared such joy over the years, made me realize that I was the most fortunate of women. Then, I had to begin to pray, but I wanted to make sense of my words. What I wanted to do, was to shout with gratitude, my thanks that I still had Martin with me. I wanted to form the words to let everyone know how fortunate we all are to have our loving friends and family with us, and that we have such an affluent lifestyle. I don't mean affluent in the means of riches, but affluent in joy and security. I wanted to express my love for all of them, and for my Heavenly Father and my Savior, I wanted to cry aloud at the beauty of life. But, with Father's constraint, I asked for the blessing of understanding, and expressed thanks for the gospel and the gift of meeting together. I will cry aloud with the beauty of life through my actions and example of a woman who is eternally endebted for the love of my Savior and his sacrifice for all of us. I hope that everyone who is in my presence, will feel the happiness that I have for the love of my companion, and the gift of it's continuing on the earth for more time. I still have to deal with the employment thing, the workers comp thing, my own health, and other issues, but I am glad to do it. I am continuing to keep Gloomy Gussy away, each day, she is squashed further and further into a cubby hole that will not open to let her out. I spent the afternoon with Martin, watching him nap, and planning things for us to do. What happiness we will have together, along with our friends and family, watching children develop and grow, and others of us grow old and give joy to each other. I am so thankful for all I have in life, and even if it is not a lot temporally, it is still riches to me!