Do you have any favorite places? I mean places that have the power to rejuvenate you and make you glad to be alive no matter the difficulties? They are very real escapes. My top three:

3) The biking path along the Eastern Promenade in Portland, Maine. The rocky coast, the sailboats, fishermen unloading their catches, the historic Fort Gorges and the people – so many flavors in the Creator’s recipe. It’s beautiful. Peaceful.

2) Hills Beach in Biddeford Pool, Maine. Quiet. Cool breezes. Family memories. Campfires on the beach. Sunsets. Thunderstorms. Friends. Shhhh…

1) Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. Noise! Smells. Excitement. Little boys carrying baseball gloves and big dreams. The deep green of the grass. The moment you reach the top of the ramp from the cold, cement world of vendors below, to see the Green Monster and the expanse of the park rich with history. I love it. I love the social game of baseball, not ruled by clocks or buzzers. It is community.

Monday night, Robin and I will be at Fenway Park! I can’t even believe it. Here we are under a mountain of bills, totally unable to even dream about being at Fenway, and friends have blessed us with tickets and parking. What a blessing! I can’t afford to watch my Red Sox on ESPN, but our good God has used a couple of His kids to bless us with seats at the game!

So many who have walked this path of organ transplantation have advised us not to become the disease. We will learn how to avoid that. Right now, it is still at the forefront.

Monday night we will simply be Red Sox fans. No livers, no tests, no questions. Maybe I can find a pink Boston hat for the gorgeous girl at my side. Maybe they’ll even have sodium free Fenway Franks? Ok, ok, now I’m going overboard.

We are so very grateful for all the friends and family who have blessed us so much. I have a pile of thank you cards to write. The family of God is amazing. We’re thankful.