Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913

The Joy Of A Growing Fingernail

This week seems to be one for writing about this and that. So here goes.

Last week, I was trimming my fingernails. When I got to the forefinger – or is it called the pointer finger – on my left hand, I stopped for a few minutes, recalling how excited I was a few years ago when I noticed the fingernail was growing. What's so exciting about that?

I had gone to the doctor to see about a really bad cough. It turned out I had severe bronchitis. I mentioned one of my fingers would get really cold, turn blue, and after rubbing it a few minutes, was again pink and warm. But several hours later, it was again cold. After performing several tests, I was referred to a specialist in Billings.

During that appointment, the doctor told me he knew I had a blood clot in my left arm and that an angiogram would precede surgery. He also cautioned me that because the veins leading to the fingers are so tiny, there was the possibility of losing my finger. He said we would know if the surgery was totally successful if the finger became pink and stayed that way and if I saw the fingernail growing.

So when I did see that fingernail growing, I was overjoyed. I even called my daughter and relayed to her why I was so happy. At first, I'm sure she thought I really had become senile. Once I explained it all to her, she was happy for me.

Amazing how something as simple as a fingernail growing can cause so much joy and excitement.

While I was on a recent trip, I came home to a surprise. Our 13-year-old granddaughter had spent several days mowing the lawn, cutting down a plethora of volunteer Elm trees, and doing some other trimming around the yard. When she was offered payment for her work, she replied no payment was needed, that she'd done the work because she wanted to help us.

The past couple of weeks, a major project has been going on at Queen of Angels Catholic Church in Nashua. Work has been done on the foundation and new siding is being installed. As I've watched the progress, my thoughts have turned to the hardy people who built the church so they had a place of worship where they could gather for Mass.

Prior to the construction of the church, Mass was celebrated in a private home whenever a priest could arrive. My mother-in-law told me that it might be three or four months between services. But if a church could be built, regular services would be possible.

When I think of the congregation joining together to collect funds needed and then doing the construction, I am once again reminded of how strong their faith was and what a legacy they left behind. In 2017, Queen of Angels will celebrate its 100th anniversary.

There's a definite change in the weather. But each morning, when I wake up and smell the clean, crisp air, I am thankful I live in an area that doesn't have to battle with murky skies and not so good smells. I can step outside at night and see a sparkling velvet sky.

Perhaps some would call all I've written about simple things. When it gets right down to it, it's the simplest of things that bring so much joy and so many smiles.

 

Reader Comments(0)