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Today is another big day...

Okay, I know that for most people going to work alone is not a big day, but for me it will be huge. I will drive, get in and get to work by myself. My parents left today and my wife is at work so I will be alone for (really) the first time. I have been alone at work before, but this will be the first time that I drive and really GO to work alone.

Second, I have a meeting today. This will be the first time I have seen any of these pastor since I had my stroke. What will they think? Are they prepared? Will I be like I have always been? All these questions are in my mind today. Skip Hansen, who is our District Executive Minister, was at the hospital or calling my wife nearly constantly. This will mark the first HE has seen me since I have been home for good. Frank Cook met me at the hospital (I don't remember it, but I will take my wife's word for it,) will be there. He visited me several times while I was in the hospital. This will be the first time HE has seen me since I have been home. I said all that for this purpose...the people that have seen me every day know what to expect. The people that don't see me every day, will they know what to expect. I know that this is a small thing, but it is big when you think of things from my perspective. I am the one who had the stroke; I am the one who is "different" now. I appreciate all the pastors who came to see me, but I don't want them to treat me different just because I had a stroke. But, at the same time, I know it makes me "different" so I should expect them to treat me differently. This may not make sense to those of you who have never had physical difficulty, but to those who HAVE or have had a physical limitation, I think that they will know exactly what I am talking about. I don't want them to treat me differently on one hand, but I know they will, so I should expect it on the other.

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