Apologies from Rev. Florence for missing reading our first 4 Joys and Sorrows noted below from last Sunday.
From Sandy Finnerty: Kimber Riley died suddenly. Although I didn’t know him, he was the son of Nancy and Bob Riley, who were church members here some time ago. I remember them fondly.
From Kari Alice Lynn: My health has changed to include the disease lung cancer. I’ve chosen not to have treatment offered by oncologists. The doctors speculate I have a year to life’s end. I have no pain at this time. I thank the many UU’s who have been very supportive. Thanks for the many opportunities available at this time.
From Ali Newbold: I’m thrilled to now be going up to North Western Med periodically for what is in fact an experimental treatment - as it did not work for me the first time. But we hope that now it may, since the suspected prior resistance (by a liver tumor) has been treated. So please keep fingers crossed that this treatment will now slow disease progression, - which for four months had free reign (due to the need to lower liver stress prior to the harsh liver tumor treatment.) And Wish me luck!
From Cathy Ritchie: My best friend has been in a New York City nursing home for several years, most recently under hospice care for various heart ailments. This week, he was diagnosed with COVID-19, and the hospice staff predict his time is short. He has been part of my daily consciousness for 25 years, and I can only hope to have brought something positive to his life during that time, as he has done for mine.
From Patricia Abruzzi:
We are so grateful and happy that our son, Patrick, who lives in Wausau, WI, packed himself, his cat Melvin, and his computers up and has moved in with us so we can all be together.
From Christine Cahill:
A joy to hear the children's choir this morning, who sang one of my favorite songs. Thank you so much to all who made it possible.
From Jerry Carden and Tim Temple:
A joy for our neighbors Jaime Windish and Aaron Elzy that went ahead with their wedding yesterday, minus all the friends and family they wanted to be present. You may have seen their story in the News-Gazette on Saturday.
From Gail Cohen:
Joy that my daughter is recovering from Corona and gets stronger every day.
From Erin Dittmer:
Joy for the cherry blossoms and magnolias and blue bells who are blooming, despite everything. Joy and gratitude for the kindness of neighbors, family and friends.
From David and Clauida Gross:
Of the five younger members of our family tree who have jobs, two have been furloughed as a result of the economic impact of the virus, a third has hours reduced and a fourth fears a furlough. Three months ago we thought all five to be secure.
From Katriena Knights:
I would like to lift a longtime online friend of mine, Lisa, who lost her husband suddenly on Friday night to cardiac arrest.
From Julie Laut:
Worry for my father as he recovers from a fourth stroke in four months, having this time chosen not to go to the ER over fears of COVID 19. Hope as my childhood best friend in New Jersey begins recovery from nearly 3 weeks of severe illness from this virus, despite being turned away from testing on three occasions. And sorrow for the death of Professor Emeritus of Musicology Nicholas Temperley, whose Temperley Singers brought joy to holiday households for forty years, and whose daughter Sylvie is one of the loveliest humans I know. My heart aches.
From the Locke family:
Congratulations to the Shamrock Academy of Irish Dance. Yesterday, they held a twelve hour dance-a-thon on facebook live. The purpose of the benefit was to help raise money to buy gift cards from local Champaign County businesses to give to healthcare workers. They raised $4,175 and their campaign was a great reminder that there are many angels among us - some even dance!
From Linda Owens:
At the long lines of cars waiting to get food from food banks. Sorrow that getting enough to eat is a privilege rather than a right.
From Umeeta Sadarangani:
Concern and love for my students at Parkland College, now online, especially for those directly affected by COVID-19–including one whose mother, a Chicago police officer, just tested positive for the virus.
From Nicolette Toussaint:
Sorry to be have lost a pet and connection with so many friends since we have been shut in for a month. But happy to be joining Rev. Florence and Ellen Stapenhorst in Illinois, from here in tiny Carbondale, Colorado.
