I can read God chose me....ME, just a nobody, but to Him a somebody.
And that in Him I live and in Him I serve . . . . as I was created to do because
I was predestined to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ.

I sent Helen Balough a simple birthday gift, a card, because I think about her with MS
and during my pity parties, I have no right.  Helen needs my prayers during those times(as well as others) instead of me being all pitiful.

I wrote:
I think of you often Helen and pray that you are doing well.

A friend of mine has a neighbor who has MS and he has been sicker lately. . . .  tis when I pray for you the most......  

The Lord also brings you to mind other times as well.  Sometimes even when I am having a self pity party.  !!

I think it would be great to get together when I come down to see Mary Papke..   I will let you know next time i come down and spend a few days with her.

She wrote back:
Thanks Ellois, I would love to get together with you two!! Just give me a heads up.  I am feeling pretty good, but this is my notoriously bad portion of the year, but so far so good!  Are you still working?? I did drop off facebook, all the political stuff just got to me.  So dissapointed in this election, but thankful God is in control.  Have you read the book "The Harbinger"  You cannot put it down.  If you have a kindle i think I can share it, but someone will need to show me how...
I don't like that you are feeling sad..it does come in waves sometimes doesn't it?   It doesn't happen too often to me, but there are days where I just need to stay in bed and read and listen to music.  I give myself permission to do so sometimes.  Life is hard, I love the Laura Story song you quote at the bottom of this email. 
I have a little more billing to do before I turn in...so good to hear from you, thank you for remembering my birthday, you are incredibly thoughtful and kind ElLois.
Love, Helen 


I wanted to send her a card.......  I care about her and Kathy and Annemarie and others....but I was so preoccupied and self absorbed that I did not know how to reach out to them and I was actually afraid of their options of me.  I never seemed to fit any click and always felt like an outsider.
But when Helen wrote me and did all those things for me before the reunion...she saw I had grown up and I was open to everyone.  That tending to mum was more important than a trip to Chicago for a reunion.

Has anyone ever said to me you are incredibly thoughtful and kind.  I dont think anyone in my entire life has said those words to me.   I weep.