I've always been fascinated with history. Although I'm not sure why, history has always been one of my favorite subjects. I suppose it's because I see the people behind the history lesson. Whenever I hear of noble men like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and their numerous accomplishments, I imagine what they thought, felt, and experienced. History is more than a story to me; it's about the people who lived in difficult times, yet didn't allow their circumstances to break their spirits.

Of all the eras, the period which has always captured my attention has been World War II. In my opinion, World War II is one of the most horrific times man has ever lived through, but despite the magnitude of suffering, some of the greatest acts of kindness, love, and sacrifice occurred during the war. One of the women I most admire lived through this horrible war.

I have an addiction. It's not a normal addiction to something like alcohol or drugs; it's an addiction to sweets. This wouldn't be such a bad thing, except for the fact that I have been diagnosed with gluten-sensitivity. For the non-bakers out there, almost all desserts are made using flour - aka gluten. Every cookie, cake, and pie has gluten in it. But needing to feed my addiction to desserts, my cool sense of logic prevailed and I realized that the majority of pies only have gluten in the crust. The delicious filling does not contain flour, which means I can enjoy the best part of key lime, pecan, apple, and chocolate pies. Armed with this knowledge, I have now mastered the art of eating pie. I have learned how to eat the inner goodness of a pie without letting my fork touch the crust. No knife is required. When I am finished satisfying my sweet tooth, the pie crust is left perfectly intact so someone else can enjoy it.

I've often said I don't know how anyone can have a chronic illness without having a relationship with God. Being sick all the time is hard. It's painful, frustrating, confusing, and often depressing. The only way to endure a chronic illness without becoming angry and bitter is to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Recently, I have started getting a new medicine to help fight lupus. I go to a place where they hook me up to an IV and give me my medicine. This place isn't a hospital or doctor's office. It's an office building with many rooms filled with recliners, and people with all types of diseases come for the same reason as myself. Being in a room with four other people, not to mention doctors and nurses constantly walking around checking on everyone, suffice it to say there's a good deal of talking going on.

I have been looking forward to this week for a while. For several months, I have been very busy. Somehow, my days and weeks became booked before I even realized just how busy I had become. But not this week. Although I don't how, I managed to have nothing on my schedule. No appointments, no errands, no church functions, and no visits with family and friends. Just a whole week to be home and accomplish the things I've needed to work on for weeks. It was supposed to be an easy week, or so I thought.

Last Thursday, one of my doctors was concerned about some new symptoms I've been having and decided I needed to come in Monday to be examined. Because her office is two hours away from home, it became an all-day event. After being examined, she decided I need to have an outpatient procedure done Friday. This will also be an all-day event. That leaves Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. But as I write this, there is now a possibility I need to drive an hour away on Tuesday to sign papers in order to receive a medical treatment on either Wednesday or Thursday. So now I'm left with one day to do with as I please, and that depends on if I feel well. Needless to say, this is not how I envisioned my week.