Mary Lou Vergara in the Raleigh, NC area, is dealing with several challenging health issues and in need of our encouragement and support. Mary Lou, a retired geriatric social worker, was most helpful to us in our efforts to find federal resources for seniors when we began showing "signs of aging.” She even came to visit us to check on us. She was an amazing cheerleader and care assistant for Lauri Miesen Shaw in her recent illness and passing. Now it’s her time to need encouragement. Following a couple of months dealing with a severe back pain, in and out of ER, etc., she was hospitalized and seemed to have something like a small stroke, with confusion before other tests found a cancerous mass in her lower lumbar region. Her daughter Kristina lives nearby but frequently works out of town. Daughter Teresa will arrive next week. Mary Lou was sent to a rehab facility but has now been moved back to hospital. This has happened several times. Mary Lou's hope is that she will recover use of her legs where some nerve damage may have occurred. She said she was not in pain, thankfully, but would enjoy hearing from folks and even phone visiting. Kristina will be taking more time off for a while to be nearer to her mom. Cards may be sent to her home address below and Kristina will deliver them to her mom. Mary Lou Vergara, 2917 Waterford Forest Circle, Cary, North Carolina 27513. Telephone and email are being worked on to be easier for Mary Lou to use. Cell: 404-580-9340. E-mail: vergaramarylou@gmail.com. Care to us all as we become ever more aware of our mortality. Ashes to ashes. Our Lenten reminder: to focus on our intentions and our actions in our personal journey and in our care for our Earth community and our life plan and for each other. Grateful for our colleagues, Lynda