what a beautiful tribute, Cathy. It made me cry and remember all the best parts of my dad (who died in 2001). He was willing to carry me and my sister to the ends of the earth and give us the shirt off his back and he did it all was a wicked sense of humor. I miss the way he could always make me laugh.
Have you tried Anatabloc for your RA? Other people (such as this: https://www.facebook.com/Anatabloc/posts/232018593544624) are reporting success with it after a few months of use. The sole active ingredient is anatabine (in the form of synthetic anatabine citrate), a naturally occurring compound found in the nightshade family of foods (peppers, tomatoes, tobacco, etc.). Johns Hopkins, the Roskamp Institute and others are conducting extensive trials for inflamation-based diseases, and some preliminary results are due to be published this Fall.
Anatabloc is not a drug, so it is available now online at Anatabloc.com, and at most GNC stores. (No, I do not have any connection to the company that makes Anatabloc.)
Since I have seen it help me with minor inflamation problems in my knees and fingers, I thought I would pass the word around.
Beautiful article. It brought tears to my eyes.