"Flowers..."

After being on the ship for almost 3 weeks straight, we decided to go to a local hotel and use their pool for the day.  It had been a really rough week.  Our days were like this: 

• Last Saturday we almost had a patient die-
•  Monday at a screening we had on the ship, we had to tell several patients they either had cancer or were HIV positive-
• Two young boys were diagnosed with Burketts (a type of cancer) which is sad but good because it is one of the cancer that they can treat here in Togo if dealt with quickly-
• Thursday a couple of patients were sent home because their conditions were inoperable-the kids are the toughest for me...
• By Friday I was exhausted after struggling all week with a cold that was affecting my sinuses and taking all my energy and strength...
• Mike had some really frustrating things happen in his department also-

So we went to one of the local hotels and "vegged"by the pool for the day.  It was perfect.  Not too humid -not too hot.  Great cloud cover so we did not burn.  And the pool basically to ourselves.

While everyone was resting (read: sleeping) I scouted out these great flowers.  As you know I like to take different pictures of the local vegetation.  Outside of the hotel areas, vegetation exists in the form of sand and palm trees.  Inside the hotels I found these amazing flowers-and some had the sweetest fragrances.

Most of these flowers and very small and grow on a spindle of a branch.  I realize this last picture is not a flower, but I thought it was a very unique tree.

The other great thing about this hotel is they had GRASS!!  Real, soft, green grass. In light of the last week and previous weeks I have really grown to appreciate the small  and simple things in life-green grass, flowers,  family, friends, African drums and singing. 

"... Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?... See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you... So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ... your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Mt 6:25-34