Illness is a capricious mistress.

She may dally with a flu bug, dance with seasonal allergies or damn us with an incurable crippling illness. And so it is these days with cousins who live just two doors away. At age 77, he has been diagnosed with ALS. Active and healthy as a horse until just a year ago, Ron didn't see a doctor even once a year. The deterioration has been rapid and Hospice has been called in. To add insult to injury, his wife is undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma. Double whammy!

So, each day Roger delivers their morning newspaper from driveway to door step, makes sure the trash cans are taken to the curb on the right days for pick up.
Me, I bring gifts from my kitchen. Oh, that I could season my marinara with a cure!
So I make up a dish of chicken cacciatore, tender feelings falling off the bone.
Small portions, so they don't feel overwhelmed as appetites dwindle. Crisp, golden fish cakes of flaky steelhead trout, panko breadcrumbs, green onions, fresh parsley and dill, a dash of garlic and lots of TLC blended in.

Last year, when I was recovering from surgery, my friend Julie dropped off a quart of the the BEST ever homemade lentil soup. I was so touched by her gift. The delicious soup nourished my heart as well as my body.

If you haven't read it already, you must read THE END OF YOUR LIFE BOOK CLUB by Will Schwalbe. For avid readers, the appendix alone is a treasure trove of great book recommendations. It is non fiction and was a selection I chose for our book club. The author presents the poignant relationship he and his mother shared during her cancer treatments. The conversation would begin with "what are you reading?" and continues with the diary of a book club for two. A quote from his mother, Maryanne, " Reading isn't the opposite of doing, it is the opposite of dying." Mentioned in that book is another recommendation, THE ETIQUETTE OF ILLNESS by Susan Halpern. So often people say the less than comforting thing to someone who is dying. Some may even avoid the patient altogether because they are at a loss for words. Ms. Halpern's book may be helpful. It is on my "to read " list.

Wishing you all a day of vibrant health!