How often we take things for granted, giving them little or no thought as we go about our busy lives with schedules crammed with things to do, meetings to attend, places to go.  It certainly seems as though we try to stuff 48 hours of activity into a 24 hour day, losing much along the way.  Taking so much for granted, we lose track of the many gifts that are ours each and every day. 

Perhaps you’ve heard this Chinese proverb - I was sad because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.  When was the last time we were filled with joy and thanksgiving at simply being able to walk without pain?

Our patient suffers from diabetes along with hospice related illnesses.  The diabetes has caused foot disorders which make walking painful.  The special shoes she did have were old and ill-fitting, making walking an uncomfortable ordeal.  She loves getting out doors but the pain she experienced while even walking to the car curtailed her activity.  Living on a fixed income it was not possible to purchase new, properly fitting, support shoes.  Her Hospice at Home Social Worker brought this need to our Life is Precious Program.  With the help of a gift from the Small Gift Fund we worked with an organization called Diabetic Solutions and were able to provide for the purchase of proper footwear.  Diabetic Solutions visited our patient.  Taking measurements of her feet they crafted custom made form fitting shoes.  When complete they visited her again for the initial fitting.  Everything was perfect!  Now she’s able to walk with little or no discomfort and pain.  Her husband states, “The shoes are wonderful!”