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About this blog

Highlights of simple things observed that were taken for granted pre stroke

Entries in this blog

Your attitude is showing ,again

After my adventure at the hospital yesterday I got on the bus and I encountered two men that I always see on the bus one said hey old man how you doing I said I'm doing great then he asked if I was staying out of trouble. How are youthe other gentleman said anything you do is anything but trouble what you do is Honorable and you are an honorable man and I have to tell you I look forward to seeing you on the bus. I love your positive attitude toward life. Your positivity is making me a more posi
Jayallen

Jayallen

1

Your attitude is showing

On a day I was struggling I shared a cup of coffee with a new friend at my coffee house He thanked for my positive attitude and outlook on life he said thanks to meeting me he has committedto a positive attitude and tried to turn negative situations into a positive He told me that was day 73 of soberity And he has already noticed an impact on the behavior of his house mates with his new positive attitude So rember the energy you put out in the world had an impact whether you know it or not
Jayallen

Jayallen

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You know you're from Michigan when.

You know you live in Michigan when and actually above freezing water to degrees for a couple days. For those of you unfamiliar with the United States and Michigan in particular and how far north we are I am a hundred fifty miles south of the 44th parallel of the Northern Hemisphere. This winter has been relatively mild last winter there were days when we were colder than Barrow Alaska which is up in the Arctic Circle so there are days when we think 20 degrees feels nice Stay warm or cool depe
Jayallen

Jayallen

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You know it's cold when.....

The 37 degree water temperature of Lake Huron causes steam, the air temperature is 0. .. you can see your breath and my breath xodebenses and forms icicles on my moustache. Watching the sunrise what glorious sight and watching the waves come off the lake 1 2 3 foot rollers but no wind this is caused by low pressure. Even the birds are chirping at me saying what are you doing out in this cold so that's what I did. I'm done now and the bus is about an hour what a lovely lovely day. Be bles
Jayallen

Jayallen

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You are the one in control

as part of my volunteer work when I meet new my next visit will involve one of the staff from the hospital asking if you're interested in company I remind them that they are in control and they can't say no and not to feel pressured it may be the only thing in their life they can control. Yesterday although both ladies I was going to try to see where a bit hesitant they both said no I was excited for them.   To me that was probably one of the most successful Dave since I've started my volunte
Jayallen

Jayallen

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yesterdays blessing and life lesson came from a 4 year old.

My grandson was visiting yesterday when I walked in the house he screamed hi papa!   Grandma showed him how to make a balloon sing, you now put air in balloon and pinch between fingers as the balloon sing, followed by a lid squeal and uncontrolled laughter, all I could do was smile and laugh. We all need to take time and appreciate the little things in life and just enjoy things. Amazing that this 4. Year old teaching this old dog new tricks.   Okay maybe just a reminder.   Still a lovel
Jayallen

Jayallen

3

Yesterday got even better

I saw a woman who worked for me 30 years ago, another one of favorite employees who worked for me when I had the strike, she even visited me in the hospital, another friend ian gave me a big hug, he said I didn't know you were sick, I only knew I hadn't seen you around, you look great. The the past president of the board of the nonprofit I worked for and was fired from she introduced me to get guvvt and said " hay has been to hell and back and look how good he looks" wow what a day I hugged mor
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Wow. 9/2. Wow what a day

Wild chatting with an acquaintance at the coffee house this morning he asked if he could use my the table at was sitting at a nice to the course I had to go to the stroke support group meeting and he looked at me and he said you know what you're such an inspiration to me I've never been through anything close to what you've gone through but I look at you when when I can start to get troubles and I think this is nothing if J can survive with Anne and thrive like he is I can get through this. How
Jayallen

Jayallen

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wow what a day!

I have two stories already today: While waiting for the bus this morning. I heard some wrestling from the same busheswhere the squeiral came out the otherday to yell at me. Today it wasawas a baby rabbit, thatscampered out and stopped about 10 feet away, in a nice patch of sweet clover. Still wet from the morning dew and rains overnight. he sat contented eating, not looking at me directly, but watching my every move with his perpheral vision; I recall when I could do the same ( with a bit o
Jayallen

Jayallen

3

Wow what a day part 2

Looking back on my volunteer work at the hospital yesterday there were three patients for me to visit with however one was in isolation and I was advised to not not enter her room and so will you make sure she knows I was here and the nursing staff said of course they would let her know another one that I went to visit I've met him at his wife last week as well and she stopped me out in the hallway and she says you know he's in the bathroom right now trying to clean up we've all been there haven
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Wow what a day ( Saturday)

I met another new Survivor at the hospital on Saturday, it could've been me laying in that hospital bed. Just the way he joked around with the nurses I had the opportunity to meet his wife and two of his daughters I was there for lunch as his wife was feeding him and he looked at me with a big grin on his face and said I kind of like being pampered. One of his daughters asked me if I played chess. I said yes. It in not real good. I told my new friend next time we would play a game of chess and
Jayallen

Jayallen

3

Wow what a day

It started with the birds chirping to me first thing this morning I'm sure they are excited because they Spring Lake temperatures were having I'm sure in the rain I'm sure there's a lot of worms crawling around then to squirrels decided to come by me just say good morning. The first bus driver I was in contact with this morning what's listen to oldies music and singing along not the best voice Bright House sweet see somebody just enjoying life. Part1 jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

2

Wow what a day

I was in the dayroim waiting for any patient to come to play cards or board game or just talk.the gentleman I met Saturday was brought to the by his daughter again, today it was for physical therapy. The PT had him stand and sut in wheelchair working on balance. It did my soul good to see him do so well at these exercises. Of course it brought back memories of 20+ months ago when I was inpatient rehab, I mentioned that to the daughter it helped me realize how far I have really come. If cours
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Wow two years a survivor

From what I hear I'm glad I don't remember a lot of my initial month post stroke since I was in intensive care I always tell people Postel newbies the new normal isn't good isn't bad it's just different I really accustom to this new normal and I'm kinda liking it. When I think about how far I've come in the last 2 years I am just humbled and the support and encouragement that I get from the people on this website. Can't forget the support of friends and family. I must admit just like they c
Jayallen

Jayallen

2

Wow humbled,blessed,and amazed

Yesterday the volunteer organization at the hospital decided to pay for my bus pass for the next 3 months wow it's not a lot of money but when you have no money it's huge. Today when I stop for my morning coffee I threw my couple dollars and exact change on the counter and the barista said wait wait wait I thought maybe the prices gone up and he said nope I've got a note here that somebody's paid for your coffee for the next 5 days I truly do get by with a Little Help from My Friends. My last
Jayallen

Jayallen

10

Wow do I love this site

I love blogging because I can make some simple observations about life and it is all the same time encouraging humbling inspiring there was a poor thing I wanted to say but per usual I've lost it somewhere in my mind It is always so great when someone responds it's nice to know I'm not alone it's validating for me to know that I'm not alone in my specific frustrations, fear or anxiety whenever I need a new Survivor I was trying to figure out right away if they are computer savvy I just think e
Jayallen

Jayallen

3

Wow "you inspire me" nicest thing I heard today

On the bus this morning I ran into one of my bus buddies Cyndi and I see you got on the bus she looked at me and she said its my day to pay it forward I'm going to the soup kitchen Thank you notes to the entire bus you inspire me she said I'm going to be working with homeless people because I've been homeless 23 times in the last 3 years As we separated at the main bus terminal I thanked her again and told her that she inspires me I did say what a wonderful world it would be if everybody did
Jayallen

Jayallen

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WOW

Another meeting with my no non-sense counselor, She doesn't sugar coat anything, I really appreciate our time together, just wish it could be longer, oh well I'll take hat I can get Abuse and all and be happy. just spent another hour at DHS seeking state disability assistance. Fun And games. One of the workers is very friendly and helpful. one out of How many? At least she was nice to me as I struggled with some of the convoluted questions.   peace, love, joy and prayers, jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

1

Words/tone make all the difference

I find it amazing how the same word can have two totally different meanings. The words" you did a wonderful job, we will miss you. Said with compassion and sincerity can. Bring a person to tears of joy. Those very words said with sarcasism can also bring someone to tear, not of joy but sadness. I am glad the young lady at my doc office was moved to tears of joy by my kind words, but how said that a simple heart felt thank you caused that response. I am sure the thank yous have been few and f
Jayallen

Jayallen

0

Wonderful Sunday

Creating a new routine, I took my coffee outside to sit on the steps. The the early morning fall air ok Chile I watched the sun rise over lame Huron. How beautiful. The sun's warm rays in my face warmed me and made the brisk fall morning aur tolerable. I tga ked gid for yet another day. I made banana but. Read and nuffubs. Pretty darn good if you,ask me. Lol Be blessed and be a blessing, Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

1

Wonder of nature

this morning on the bus, the driver noticed a huge rainbow, the entire bus reacted like little kids seeing a rainbow with ooohs and ahs. it was beautiful, to witness god sharing the absolute beauty of refracted light through a rain cloud. then the comments started about looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, the only problem is there is never an end in the world, that pot of gold is heaven. my philosophical statement for today.   peace, love, joy , blessings and prayers, ja
Jayallen

Jayallen

1

Witness the Beautiful teaching moment between a mother and her small child

while waiting for the bus outside the grocery store a young mother with a small child, I guess 4 years old they walked to the dollar store nearbt then came bck to the grocery storethe mother said to the little girl you know how that lady help you in that store now you have to pay it forward you need to help someone else I didn't get the opportunity to talk to her but I wanted to tell her what a beautiful lesson that was to teach her little girl that is how the world can be changed if we start
Jayallen

Jayallen

1

With passion a gift and creative energy I'm on top of the world

Physically mentally and emotionally I felt great the question of the day was why? What is so different about today than other days so I can rreplicat it Physically I had a great nights sleep which always helps. Test result of my successful endeavor to focus my creative energy in the poem odd man out. I have always said if one of my poems moves one person that I am a success as a poet. I am humbled by the positive response I get from you as well as my friends who are not survivors includin
Jayallen

Jayallen

0

Why worry about things

I just got a call from my neuro surgeons office he's the one that ordered the cat scan last week and everything is fine the only recommendation is follow up in one year I am so blessed time to do a jig I'm dancing how about you. Once again I have to thank God for giving me a second chance and I am so blessed it's just amazing I'm so happy right now Be blessed and be a blessing, Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

3

why cant you walk like that at home?

Last week when my wife ratted me out about scuffing my left foot while walking; on the way home she asked what did you do different? I said I just concentrated really hard to make sure I picked up my left foot. she then said, why can't you do that at home?   Last night, after dinner she was working on the play some more, in her office. So I worked really hard to lift my left foot, jusy wanted to see if she needed anything (iceTea, coffee etc.) I stood at the doorway of her office, she fina
Jayallen

Jayallen

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