In less than a week, my firstborn child, my baby girl Ava will turn 4. While this isn't often considered a major milestone, it is still very dear to my heart, being her mother and all. It got me thinking about how good we have it here in North America. I feel fortunate to live in a country where we have access to things such as clean water, nutritious food and medical care.

I am now home after having been admitted to the hospital via the Emergency Room 5 days ago. To make a long story shorter – on my 3rd visit to the ER with an unresolving leg infection, we discovered that I also had bi-lateral pneumonia. So, a 5 day stay in the hospital ended up with me mostly better, on oxygen at night at home for a while, and finishing up a brutal course of IV and now pill-form antibiotics and steroids. And, I am here with many tales to tell of moments that shook my soul and comforted it again. Women-stories. Here is the first ---