The final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands. – Anne Frank I find myself noticing my left hand as I leaf through my old pictures from before I lost some of the movement and a lot of the dexterity a couple years ago. Photos from just before, from my childhood and… Continue reading These Hands
Tag: Stroke
I Can’t Control the Wind, But I Can Adjust the Sail
A Little Then I'm lying in a hospital bed; it's never quiet here during the daytime. I'm lying very still, partly because I'm too tired to move and partly because when I'm perfectly immobile I feel like I might be fine. Even though I’m lying prone, it’s like I could possibly get up and walk… Continue reading I Can’t Control the Wind, But I Can Adjust the Sail
An Open Letter to My Loved Ones
An Open Letter to My Loved Ones Dearly Beloved, Without you, I’m not sure how I could have gotten through the last two years and as the anniversary arrives in just a few days, I don’t want to wait any longer to tell you how much you mean to me. Or to tell you how… Continue reading An Open Letter to My Loved Ones
Someone Told Me Not to Cry
If you plan on being anything less than you are capable of being, you will probably be unhappy all the days of your life. – Abraham Maslow I find this quote to be potentially quite deceptive, depending on how it’s perceived. It spoke to me in such a positive light when I first read it,… Continue reading Someone Told Me Not to Cry
I’ve Got Some Questions
What if your life changed in a mere second? Or in just a few precious minutes? What if much of the life you knew was gone? How would you look at yourself? Would you blame someone or something? Would you blame yourself? Would you hide from the world? Would you hate yourself? Would you hate… Continue reading I’ve Got Some Questions
‘Coz I’m So Tired
'Coz I'm So Tired [a kind of poem] I'm tired of the way my face still feels numb, and of how every little hair that brushes it tickles it beyond my capacity to ignore I'm tired of the way my hand clamps up when I'm trying to do something crucial, at the very… Continue reading ‘Coz I’m So Tired
It Seems Night Endlessly Begins & Ends
As parents, one of our main goals is, [among the many, many goals], to keep our children safe. To raise and take care of them from before they’re born, until they are full-grown and thriving. Fresh in my mind are the journeys of three different sets of parents [all are people I do not… Continue reading It Seems Night Endlessly Begins & Ends
The Human Tragedy Consists in the Necessity of Living with the Consequences
I gave myself a pep-talk the other day; a look-me-in-the-eye, in-my-face kind of pep-talk. I think I need to do that more often. Most of us probably could use them more often. Sometimes I suddenly think about the fact that I am me, and it kind of hits me right then…I am me…all the… Continue reading The Human Tragedy Consists in the Necessity of Living with the Consequences
I Will Remember You, Will You Remember Me?
Don't let your life pass you by…Weep not for the memories… I have been remiss; I missed posting a blog last Tuesday, and believe me I felt kind of awful about it. I didn’t forget, not at all, but as I mentioned I’ve been traveling and spending as much time with family as possible. And,… Continue reading I Will Remember You, Will You Remember Me?
What’s Your Story Morning Glory?
You know when people say, “Hey…so, what’s your story?" We all have a story. That’s undeniable. Usually this question means, “What’s going on with you right now?” Unless, perhaps you've just happened to find yourself in a crazy situation straight out of a movie and you need to detail your character history or establish an… Continue reading What’s Your Story Morning Glory?
Fathers, Be Good to Your Daughters…Daughters will Love Like You Do
Father’s Day was just a couple days ago, but when you live 1100 miles from your father the unavoidable consequences are that without taking a couple of days to drive there or spending a small fortune to fly there, you don’t get to spend any part of the day with him…except for a little Skype… Continue reading Fathers, Be Good to Your Daughters…Daughters will Love Like You Do
Raina
Thank you Jen & Terry, I'm honored to be part of your 'Eleanors' in 'The Eleanor Project'... I love your Project!!
Grace is Gone
grace noun \ˈgrās\ : a way of moving that is smooth and attractive and that is not stiff or awkward I was once pretty graceful. Maybe that sounds surprising if you've seen me lately, but I could really move around quite fluidly, probably from having taken gymnastics as a kid. Gymnastics, taught well, give… Continue reading Grace is Gone
Sinking Like a Stone
I used to think that the worst thing that might happen in the night would be an emergency phone call, a horrifying nightmare, or the dreaded stuck-in-that-in-between-sleep-and-wake stage, where you’re aware of what’s happening, you’re terrified, but you can’t do anything about it. Whenever I get “trapped” in that state I usually try and… Continue reading Sinking Like a Stone
Lighten Your Load
My third & last post in May for "Stroke Awareness Month" A therapist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question. Instead, with a smile on her face she inquired: ”How heavy is this… Continue reading Lighten Your Load
And the Course of a Lifetime Runs, Over and Over Again
A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity. It dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path. ― Agatha Christie On Mother’s Day two weekends ago we discovered that robins had built a nest containing three beautiful wee eggs… Continue reading And the Course of a Lifetime Runs, Over and Over Again
Just the Way You Are
And so it begins, I'm kicking off this blog with a personal essay that hopefully ties together two major parts of my life right now, dealing with the aftermath of a stroke and learning to accept myself despite the obstacles; past & present. Also, May is "Stroke Awareness Month", so I hope to bring attention… Continue reading Just the Way You Are
A Stroke of Good Fortune 