A cheerful heart is good medicine.
Proverbs 17:23a

I had the privilege of dining with Michael Ramirez in Newport Beach on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 ….

Michael Ramirez is the Editorial Cartoonist and a Senior Editor for Investor’s Business Daily. Ramirez is a Lincoln Fellow and has won several awards during his career, including the 2008 and 1994 Pulitzer Prize, the UCI Medal from the University of California, Irvine and the Sigma Delta Chi Awards in 1995 and 1997.

Ramirez was named “Best Editorial Cartoonist 2006” by the National Cartoonists Society, and won the prestigious 2008 John Fischetti Editorial Cartoon Competition.

When one considers editorial cartoons, one might think of lightheartedness, humor and wittiness, which are all true, but Michael Ramirez is also a very weighty and contemplative individual.

Irene had another rough day of unrelenting and brutal nausea.  The dialysis team was once again unable to achieve the fluid removal goal.  But, despite the sobering nature of her illness, Irene maintains an envious lightheartedness and strong sense of humor.  And, although her energy is significantly diminished, she remains optimistic about the future.

Irene is a Proverbs 31 woman ….

…clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
Proverbs 31:25

And the sobering reality of the journey is also captured in this verse ….

Even in laughter the heart may ache
Proverbs 14:13a

Caminando con Fé

Dave