Rebekah’s Studio

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. – Matthew 7:7

One’s birthday, the actual date, is when I think most people want something special to celebrate it. Even when you get to my age. It’s true, isn’t it? Admit it. Okay, I thought so!

As my birthday is soon after Christmas and New Year’s, it doesn’t bother me too much that people remember it belatedly. For years now I celebrate all month long. January is my birthday month. 😉

So when the earliest appointment I could get with a cardiologist to learn about some test results was on the 9th, my birthday, I took it.

The cardio tests were done to clear me for surgery the day before New Year’s Eve–the removal of a (thankfully!) benign mass from my colon.

I was “cleared” for the operation that was the priority, but I still wanted to ask what the tests showed because I was given a complete cardio work up and because I had “heart scares” in the past. What did my cardiovascular system look like now?

Bless his heart, the physician spent 60 minutes drawing diagrams and explaining everything. He was passionate about teaching patients about how wonderful the human body is. The bottom line: my heart is A-okay! Don’t worry, just keep active, he said. Oh, boy, that and the fact that my colon was cancer-free was the best birthday present I could have!

After that my Reiki sister and friend Lori took DH and me out for lunch: dim sum at a fancy restaurant. These are the images from her camera.

If that wasn’t enough, on the way home DH said we would stop for some new plants for the garden.

It was my idea to renovate the raised vegetable beds at the Studio. I sent out an evite to my friends to join Rebekah’s Birthday Green Team that weekend, explaining that I needed help.

Recovery from surgery takes about 4 to 6 weeks, and my surgeon said I was allowed to ask other people to do things for me. Really?

It was short notice, but several of my buddies adjusted their schedules and showed up. Wow, what a big help they were! What a garden transformation! Below is the “after” photo.

All I had to do was ask. Thank you!

(Pictured below, from left: Pat, Karen, me, and Piʻikea. Tomato, basil, arugula, cilantro, romaine, eggplant, rosemary, garlic chives, mint, turmeric, oregano, pineapple, parsley, Hawaiian chili pepper. – Pete Krape, photographer)