If the day am I writing this column had been a Friday rather than a Monday, it would have seemed more fitting. It would have made it Friday the 13th, and that would have made sense.

The only thing that seemed to keep me on track was something I had read right before I left my home for the day. It was a quote by Maya Angelou that read, “This is a wonderful day, I have never seen this one before.” I fell in love with this as soon as I read it.

I am  often invited to go to all kinds of showers because I have a large family and know lots of people, not only in this county but other counties.

This past weekend, I went to a baby shower for my great niece who is expecting a baby boy sometime next month.

We had to play a game with yarn. We were guessing the size around the momma-to-be’s tummy but we were fooled. We were supposed to guess the diameter of the family so to speak. Her husband was to put his arms around her and hug her large tummy and all and the yarn was to go around both of them.

Believe it or not, my piece of yarn went tip to tip perfectly around them. As a result, I won a very nice bag full of goodies.

One of the items inside the bag was a nice hardback book called “Stuck on Smiles,” which was filled with quotes from famous people.  There were also stickers that matched the quotes and could be used in letters or reminders.

Looking through the book, I really loved the one by Maya Angelou so much. This is a quote that would be worthy of saying every morning, I think.

It was this quote I had to keep repeating Monday.

You see, I had a doctor appointment for tests. I was so proud of myself for getting to my appointment at least 20 minutes early. For those of you who know me, this is a rarity in itself.

Anyway, when I got to the designated appointment, I am told they had tried to call me and left a message to let me know the CAT scan machine was down at the office and I would have to be worked in at a Central Baptist Hospital.

I checked my voicemail and realized why I did not get the message. The man’s voice was cut off about half way through the message and none of it could be made out.

Anyway, I get over to the hospital and let them know I am there.

Since there is now a new oncology area at Central Baptist, I am not sure where to go so I check at the main desk first. However, she directed me to the oncology department in another part of the building.

The registration desk there could not find my name. I explain to her the situation and they call and find out yes, I am to be seen, but I need to go back over to the other building where I had just left.

Beginning to feel like a yo-yo, I was told I would need to register over at the main registration office. So, I retraced my steps.

I finally got checked in and no sooner sit down to rest, then have to pop back up and down two or three times for the receptionist to ask questions. I wait for more than an hour in one area before being sent to the diagnostic department to wait another hour.

By this time, I am feeling like I am starving to death. I can not remember if I was supposed to eat or drink anything or not, so I do not dare eat a bite.

By the time I stumble out of there, nearly four hours later, I feel emaciated and have the Maya Angelou quote fully memorized.

I had to remind myself it really was a wonderful day, maybe a little inconvenient but it was a wonderful day.

Most days I get to eat anytime I feel hungry. Today just reminded me of this blessing.

Every day we should realize how blessed we are to be given another day. I was reminded of this while I waited to be seen at the hospital when I read on Facebook of the death of one of my classmates, Carrie Morton.

I realized I really should not be upset at all. She did not get to have today.

Carrie was a wonderful lady and a dear friend. Her death again made me realize how blessed I am to have another day, whatever it brings.

I also thought when I got home I did not have to take care of little kids like a lot of grandparents have to do who are having to raise their grandchildren.

Willie Nelson had another quote in the book that read, “When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.”

By the end of my day, the same happened to me.

When I counted my blessings, I realized I really did have a wonderful day after all.

Sue Staton is a Clark County native who grew up in the Kiddville area. She is a wife, mother and grandmother who is active in her church, First United Methodist Church, and her homemakers group, Towne and Country Homemakers.