Monday, July 19, 2010

'Anybody can run on a fine day'

Despite the set backs, regardless of the obstacles, and in the face of what almost feels like systemic, organised resistance Stacy and I have finally found a good non-chain breakfast restaurant. Oh yeah!

The Stone House Cafe is a top notch little restaurant with great food, relaxed garden style setting and apparently divinely inspired customers.

After having a great meal there last week, this morning we headed back out to the cafe with Deb for a Sunday morning breakfast. Excellent. After we sat down and ordered we noticed a couple of blokes who had finished their meal a few tables over. I noticed them because the waiter said "hang loose and enjoy the shade fellas". Sweet US vocab.

We ordered and enjoyed, relaxed, slowly savoured our meal and soaked up the excellent Sunday morning - being outside has become an appreciated novelty for us after nearly two months sitting in the clinic getting treated.

After we had finished eating one of the blokes from the 'hang loose' table made his way over to our table and asked if he could sit down. Jeff introduced himself and said that he noticed that Stacy is a bit ill at the moment. Jeff is a 50 year old Reno local who works as a photographer. He has eyeglasses and likes to wear a baseball hat on his Sunday morning.

While talking to Jeff we found out that he had Lyme disease and ten years ago he experienced a range of symptoms similar to Stacy's current condition. He said that he saw us walk in and it reminded him of the way he used to walk around. He lost his voice and his ability to swallow effectively at the height of his symptoms.

This morning Jeff was a healthy looking and highly functioning breakfast eating human. He really wanted to come over and tell Stacy that she needs to continue fighting, believing and participating in her treatment. She can get her solution and she can be healthy again. Jeff was a marathon runner and a firefighter and he said during his illness his mantra became that "anybody can run on a fine day". I took this to mean that its the people who keep running when the wind blows up and the rain sets in who make a difference in the world. Jeff told Stacy that its not firemen who follow their training and fight fires who are heroes, its Stacy who keeps battling everyday, and insists on living her life and eating her cafe breakfast who is a hero.

It really was a divine experience for us. We are very grateful to Jeff for coming over and injecting himself and his story into our day.

As we were walking back to the car Stacy said to me "Maybe that was God saying shut up and start believing". Meeting Jeff was a great influence on Stacy and gave a real boost to all of us as we move towards the next phase of our treatment.

Great breakfast. Loved it. Independent restaurants people, the way forward.

Thanks for all the love,

Mike and Stacy

21 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  2. By the way, beautiful turn of phrase Mike. I feel a career as a storyteller in the wind.

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  3. We don't usually get these amazing reminders unless we still have an immense amount of hope in us. I do believe God was telling you both that there is a bright future worth fighting for:) Incredible morning! Thanks for sharing. K

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  4. Another sign....when I went to put in my word verification, the word was CURES:) Cool, huh!

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  5. Lost for words - what a gift when you needed it!
    Love your work Jeff.
    Love to you Stacy face -miss you everyday think of you a zillion times a day.
    huge hugs and much love
    Jane

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  6. Hebrews 13:2

    Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.

    Love you Stacy!

    Muah, Aunt Kathy

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  7. I love you both. Listen to Jeff. If you want to bastardize the language a bit, Jeff in Spanish is Jefe (pronounced Heh-fey) which also means boss. So now Jeff is your boss. Not like that Tony Danza business where we never knew who was in charge. No, not at all.
    Love love love, love love love.
    Kells

    PS. Mike - I think your mom is right - you should look into writing as more than a hobby.

    PPS. LOOOOOOOOOOVE.

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  8. I like that Google thinks I am the Legislative Committee.

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  9. Thank you for sharing this with us! I believe like Jeff...keep fighting, don't give up, God has a plan for you that exceeds all your expectations! Love you guys and think and pray for you often!! Praise God for Jeff!!

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  10. Hi Stacy and Mike,
    wonderful story. Got that inspirational tear in the eye reading this one (and the one before). Also to let you know the bigsky10 blog is started again. Go Stacy's allstars!
    http://bigsky10s.blogspot.com/

    G&T&B

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  11. That's a sign from the Divine. Wonderfull things can happen at breakfast.

    lots of love.

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  12. The best food. The best people at independent local restaurants. Thinking of you!

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  13. Way to go Jeff.
    Inspirational tale -
    inspirational guy -
    inspirational stac & mike -
    Hugs & Kisses
    Betty

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  14. hi stacy and michael., i have just learnt out to use this blog site. nice to catch up on what has been happening. you are amazing people.such faith and stamina.
    many people from st marys sent their love and thoughts. may many more jeffs come into your lives to bring inspiration and strenght.
    now i know how to do this i will be back in touch soon.
    love
    terry

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  15. I met Stacy's mother through physical therapy and Stacy once while she stopped in. Throughout my journey to recovery she told me 'Stacy Tales' and even though you scared her she couldn't be prouder. I wish you both the best on this journey. I can't imagine the feelings, struggles or thoughts, but through reading this blog I am inspired to be just like the two of you. The way you live is beautiful. Get'em Stacy!
    *Mike, those other folks hit the nail on the head with your writing and Stacy as well. Thank you for sharing your journey.

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  16. Um great responses people. They realy spark up our day. Thank you.

    Mike and Stace

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  17. I meant to say the photo of me is on the new Go- Between Bridge , the bridge we protested about it getting built.Little did we know at the time we would be kicked out of the church.It opened a couple of weeks ago.This was the opening day when we could walk on the road.Its a nice bridge.
    This blog is like a bridge between us and you.
    Across the Pacific Ocean.
    It is good to know we can send and recieve messages of support and inspiration across the seas.Stacy and Mike may many more sparks spark your way.
    love and laughter.
    terry

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  19. Still here thinking about you and sending love.

    Susan

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  20. SHUT UP AND START BELIEVING!!!!! You couldn't have said it better, Stacy. We are rooting for you every single day. Go Team Stacy!

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