Where do I begin? We (family) were at a dear friend - no, a family member's funeral and during the eulogy I apparently needed to read something on my eyelids. I felt a hand pat my shoulder and I jumped (like anyone would if startled). My nephew (the hand) whispered he was sorry and he did not mean to startle me ... I turned to see if anyone noticed and saw my niece grinning and Darren (her fiance) was doing that quiet laugh (that laugh you do in church because you should not be laughing anyway) and whispered, "That's awesome?" The entertainment I provide ... free of charge and certainly unscripted.
Enough ... I can do power naps and not tell every one, if they are normal naps; however ... I was eating potato chips and the next thing I remember was being on the floor with my face mashed on the carpet and somebody banging on the front door. I figured out where I was, got back on my chair and answered the door. The UPS delivery guy proceeded to tell me he saw me fall out of my chair and he was concerned and wanted to make sure I did not hurt myself. I told him I was fine, received my package and thanked him. I only hope he did not have his phone on video mode ... I feel sure he told his UPS buddies he had the story of the day. So, if anybody sees me on UTube ... oh yeah, laugh! If only earlier in the day mom had not come in and found me with my head on the desk (I was waiting on the computer to catch up with me and my thoughts!)
Enough ... I can do power naps and not tell every one, if they are normal naps; however ... I was eating potato chips and the next thing I remember was being on the floor with my face mashed on the carpet and somebody banging on the front door. I figured out where I was, got back on my chair and answered the door. The UPS delivery guy proceeded to tell me he saw me fall out of my chair and he was concerned and wanted to make sure I did not hurt myself. I told him I was fine, received my package and thanked him. I only hope he did not have his phone on video mode ... I feel sure he told his UPS buddies he had the story of the day. So, if anybody sees me on UTube ... oh yeah, laugh! If only earlier in the day mom had not come in and found me with my head on the desk (I was waiting on the computer to catch up with me and my thoughts!)
If that was not enough, Wednesday and Thursday the week of Christmas I found myself fighting to stay focused (my speak for not zoning out) and found out that Marcia would be talking to me ... struggle as I may to keep my eyes open, I was not engaged in her conversation. Since it did not appear it would get any better she said it was time to go to bed ... she changed and came out to the living room ... to find me in racing mode to get where I was supposed to be because I took a nap getting there!
I guess it is scary when I have scissors in my hand to open packages! Will I open the packages or ... Zzz? These naps are going to get me in trouble yet!
It was like Christmas everyday!
Because Marcia and I shopped on-line for Christmas presents this year (on-line ... my specialty!) it has been like Christmas at least twice weekly. Poor delivery guys ... they have to be quick thinkers! If our dog, Maddy, is in the house when they drive up (she hears them at the corner) she barks and attacks the window as if she would tear their limbs off. Delivery guy asks ... do I drop and run? On the other hand, if it is quiet when they approach the door ... they ask themselves ... do I ring the bell and keep my phone ready in case I can get a funny video of the lady falling out of her chair!
More Favorite Things ... Years ago Marcia and I vacationed in St. Thomas and learned about tax-free ports and Louis Vitton. We purchased our first LVs on that trip and that has remained our purse of choice since. We rationalized then that this was a good buy because we did not, and never had, bought or changed purses to match our shoes or the season. We did not buy several purses a year ... we could justify spending more on the LV bag of our choice and it would last longer.
That is our story ... and we continue to stick to it!
Insights I Am Grateful For
There are times when I am home alone and I think too hard and wonder, why me ... and I cry because nobody can see me ... I need my eyes to leak. I want so badly to walk in my really hot shoes that rock or wash the dishes or file papers without dropping some of the paper. I get so frustrated, it wears me out. Then I remember the things that I have and the things I am grateful for.
- I cannot stand or walk and require a motorized chair to get around. My hands have atrophied so I have no use of my fingers ... I cannot blow dry or brush my hair or write without using both hands (for guidance). I require others to do most everything or get me to a point so I can do some of the task. While it was humbling at the onset, I still have my dignity. No one can take that away. I am grateful that I understand I am not my body or my thoughts ... I am the space, the shell, from which all is created.
- I sit all day and some of my physical form looks squaty and odd. I am grateful for my circumstance that counteracts my vanity. (Well, somewhat.)
- Because of the kinship I share with the friends that choose to help me, I cultivate a calm compassion for circumstances that I have no control over. I am grateful for the empathy I experience.
- I am nearly always present in the moment (I said 'nearly'). I have become a better listener ... this keeps me from dwelling on the past or thinking too much about the future. To really live life we have to be in the present - without coloring it with thoughts of the past or future ( stay inside the lines). I am grateful for the happiness I feel in living in the NOW.
- I am most grateful for my loving family. I am so very blessed to have both of my parents and all of my siblings, my nephews and my niece and their families here with me ... to be my towers of strength - my rocks - as we walk this path of uncertainty and the unknown.
I have also learned something about myself. I love to make people laugh ... the sound of laughter and the smiles it evokes. I am grateful for my sense of humor.
I am not out there in the public, speaking about my affliction and how I cope, nor do I want to be ... I never did like that arena. I am not saying these are the cards I was dealt, do you want to see them, let me show you how to play them. I just hope that maybe even one person might begin to realize that suffering is caused by our thoughts, not the circumstances in which we find ourselves.
My Blog Quote
Have a very happy and safe New Year my friends!
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