It turns out that the old saying “We don’t know what to expect from minute to minute” is absolutely true.

It also turns out that another old saying “Prayer Works!” is also absolutely true.

Because so many of you who read my article about my stricken sister, Marilyn, have asked about her, I’m taking this space and this little bit of uncertain time to provide an update.

It’s basically good news.

Marilyn, who suffered a brain aneurysm several weeks ago (didn’t time both fly by and just stop all at the same time?), was transferred from Duke Medical Center (aren’t we very fortunate to have it?) on Monday of this week, about four weeks ahead of schedule, to Cape Fear Valley Rehab Center in Fayetteville (a town that now looks lovely in our eyes!).Please, no visitors at this time.

She was to begin rehabilitation treatment on Tuesday of this week. All of this is terrific news, but there is a dark side to her family’s silver cloud. She is not responding as well to medication and treatment as she could be, and that is a little puzzling and troubling to the doctors.

But her daughter told us today (Tuesday) that she is doing well today and that she seems to be perking up some, emerging from the depression that naturally occurred after the aneurysm.

Things are still iffy, and much will depend upon Marilyn herself, but we are confident that she will be able to help herself get well as quickly as possible. In the best case scenario, that will be only after a long period of therapy (approximately a month) and other treatment. There is still another aneurysm to be dealt with sometime in the future.

But for now, my beloved sister is closer to home and each day she is closer to coming home and to her beautiful garden.

The folks of St. Pauls have been faithful in their prayers and we attribute much of her recovery thus far to prayer. Please keep praying and please keep the faith.

We live in St. Pauls on purpose and at times like these we know why, and how lucky we are. The people here are sincerely caring and sympathetic without being overly nosey. They know you and they know yours and they really do care, well beyond the kind words. There have been so many acts of kindness!

I will always remember Sara Hayes, who is herself no stranger to illness and uncertainty, sending Marilyn a slice of her famous strawberry pie. When we couldn’t get Marilyn to eat a bite of anything, she sure went for that pie and ate it all. Sara, your pie is a lifesaver--literally!

There are many other people to thank. Let me say “Thank you St. Pauls, my home sweet home!”