I have never slept so soundly, nor so deeply, in my life. The past several nights it would have taken a cannon to rouse me! And I've been sleeping long hours -- in bed by 9 p.m. and not up til after 7 a.m. And still, during the day, I'm only good for about 3 or 4 hours of physical and mental effort. But I'm feeling better daily, and I know this is all part of the healing process. I notice some things returning to normal. My appetite and sense of taste are back -- which means I've got to watch what I eat, and how much! My hair is growing -- but unevenly. And my voice seems to be back. Did I mention that it was frequently hoarse, and that I had lost a lot of depth and range? Not a pleasant situation for a guy who makes his living talking. So my physical recovery from the chemo and the cancer continues on track, and my September 13 return to the Morning and Midday newscasts is a certainty. But a couple of recent events have done wonders for my spiritual and emotional well being, and I wanted to share them with anyone who knows someone who is facing tough times right now. One evening my son called and suggested we take an evening boat ride on San Diego Bay. He knows how much I love seeing the San Diego skyline from the water -- especially when it's lit up at night. I told him I didn't have the strength, but he promised to handle launching and retrieving our little runabout, so I agreed.

Well, the evening was beautiful, the skyline spectacular, and there were even two concerts going on -- one at Embarcadero Marina Park, and the other at Humphrey's on Shelter Island. So we enjoyed an evening of music and beauty and fellowship, and I thanked God for all of the blessings which made that evening possible!

Another recent event which lifted my spirits involved a family friend who did something very special in my honor. Her name is Brenna Bley. Brenna recently graduated from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. Last month Brenna and fellow members of The National Osteopathic Women Physicians Association (NOWPA) entered the Danskin Women's Triathlon in Wisconsin - which benefits the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. These pictures show Brenna in the race, and the back of her race jersey, which carried the names of 35 breast cancer victims and survivors whom she and her NOWPA team were honoring. If you look very very closely, you'll see my name second from the bottom of the lefthand column. I was tremendously thrilled and humbled by this unexpected honor! Thanks, Dr. Brenna!

And the final thing which catapulted my recovery to the next level was a visit from my parents, Earl and Pat, who took the train down. Adam and his family came over, too, and we had a terrific time laughing and talking and taking pictures. This one here is my favorite: "Four generations of Griffiths men." Of the four of us, who range in age from three months to 77 years, who do you suppose has the least hair?! Yep, yours truly! That ain't right, I tell ya! If you know someone who's going through a tough time -- whether from bad health, or marital problems, or financial problems, or problems with their kids, or whatever ... look at the things which brought me joy this past week. A thoughtful deed, a short trip to see beautiful sights, a special act of honor and respect, a visit from family and friends. They didn't cost much money, just a little time and a lot of love, and the results were so positive. I think the best prescription for mental and physical and emotional and spiritual health is found in Philippians 4:8, which says, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about those things." That's why the events of the past week were so healing ... they got my mind on positive things. -Bill