merichsen

Tony,

Despite the fact that you talk about how depressed you are, what also comes through quite loudly is that you still look for the positives and seem determined to have an optimistic attitude.

Unfortunately stroke does change our lives forever and coming to terms with that is extremely difficult.

Nothing can take from you who you are, so it's not all for nothing.

After my stroke I would say I used to be a teacher. My doctor corrected me like this: He asked if someone had taken my certification away and why I was no longer. I got the point and learned to say I am a teacher. If someone asks where, I answer I'm medically retired.

No stroke can take from you what you've earned, achieved, and who you are so it's surely not for nothing.

Life has just changed course and even though you may not be able to go back, nothing will stop you from going forward, and enjoying life as you learn about and reinvent yourself now.

-As Asha said true- SSDI is retroactive.

-Check with your doctor about a sleep-aide and anti depressants.

Maria

Don't ya just hate it when that happens? After a few encounters with the poof gone in a flash fairy, I've learned to type it on word then copy and paste it here.

That's so cool that you're going to meet Kimmie. I'd love to one day too...I fear she'd take a shot at me for all I do to drive her nuts.

Have a fun, safe trip and give her a big smooch for me.

Maria

Yolie,

Taylor will surely be in my thoughts and prayers as she's faced with this unpleasant ordeal. Also of course for answers sought to bring her resolution to her seizure problems.

Love,

Maria:mwah:

WOW! That one blew me away and really made me cry. For all the times we preached, nagged, and lectured to try to get you to see the many wondrous things about yourself, and all the pains you suffered through the social trials and difficulties of being a teenager and growing up, it is now clear you have grown to possess great wisdom.

The realization that your journey is for you a true testimony to your strength and one in which you can be proud is somewhat where we say

Katrina grows up. It takes much maturity to takes these experiences and grow from them.

Please remember that we do love you and still want to hear from you with updates on what's going on with you.

Love,

Maria :mwah:

Katrina,

Congratulations on your internship at Bragg, it's not easy to come by, and will serve to pave your way well in your career. Feeling a little nervous about the future and the unknown is something we all go through, stroke or not. You're accomplishments and determination to succeed clearly seem to be indicative of a boundless future with many great things to be realized.

You are an amazing young woman sweetheart who we've loved watched grow up and flourish. We will always be here to celebrate in your accomplishments, kiss your booboos, or just talk if you need to vent.

Love,

Maria

Brian,

Josh knows by the great dad you are and immense love he feels from you that in the great hand he holds there is no better source of guidance, protection, and a superhero.

Disagree with you on small point...you said "I don't think we as parents teach our kids..."

True his love is real, true and without pretense ~ seems he learned that from you.

Glad you had well timed moment of having Josh make your heart smile just like your love for him daily.

Maria

Brian,

I find it very very difficult to believe anyone could conceivably mistake you for anywhere near sane or some such nonsense. We'll be happy to read your previously blawged blawgs. What's important is that you're reaching out in whatever way works for you and we will be here to support you and be your friend.

Maria

Very interesting Fred and please know we love you and you are our valentine every day of the year too sweet gentleman :mwah:

Maria

Yolie,

Made my day as always with Tooties's basketball pictures. Basketball takes a great deal of hand eye coordination. It's wonderful she's willing to take on the challenge. She's getting very tall, killer smile even without teeth, sporting NY Knicks colors, glowing beauty inherited from mommy and grandma....no doubt sounds like America's Next Top Model in the making to me!

Maria :mwah:

Nancy,

I'm glad to see you are blogging and seem to have some idea of what to expect when Leigh comes home. I've been thinking about you knowing he's due to come home next week. I will keep you in my prayers and please remember that we are always here whenever you need us.

Love,

Maria :mwah:

Thank you Fred for sharing and reminding us of the true meaning of the season.

John and I were Christmas shopping and as she completed the sale the girl said Have a happy holiday.

John politely said..No, it's merry Christmas See all these people on line? they're not holiday shopping

they're Christmas shopping.

He left it at that but I'm sure she got the point although quite likely told to say it.

If we keep allowing Christ to be removed and Christmas to be turned in to just another holiday

we will surely lose the spirit and message of its greatest gift.

Have a blessed and merry Christmas Fred.

Maria

Kimmie,

I'm sorry you're having a rough go this Christmas. We're all really in the same boat this year, so next year it can only get better. Either that or we could always live together in a car looking for wifi hot spots and put a tree on the console.

Enjoy your fur babies and have a very very merry Christmas.

Love,

Maria :mwah:

Thanks for sharing Jeannie.

I'm not in to flavored though...just into strong coffee which is usually the likeness of what is scraped from the sides of my fireplace chimney. :coffee:

The exercises are a pain in the neck to do Bruce, but the more you do them the more you will get the full benefit of the Botox injections.

Good luck Bruce and keep up the good work.

Maria

Wes.

Great attitude. I believe it's all in how you look at it. I've always tried to think of it as....I was given 41 years to experience much of the wonderful things life has to offer in perfect health, many are born with afflictions and are not are not even given that luxury. Post stroke we can still experience life to the fullest ~maybe the parachute should stay in the attic but it's far from bingo time yet~ if we work hard and persevere there is still a whole world in between left to experience and enjoy.

Maria

Doug,

Good to see you're well and just have been too busy to blog. Some interesting stuff about your pre American Revolution family. Researching that must be very intriguing, I'm sure you are enjoying it.

Hope Teddy is doing well. Please keep us updated with your fascinating findings.

Maria

Katrina,

Think of the numerous times you've hit dark rough spots like this. When all is said and done the shining, beautiful, intelligent, strong, young woman reemerges refreshed to forge ahead to

accomplish far more than the peers she felt she might not measure up.

Want to little glimpse of where you may be going in the future? All you need to do is take a

look at the list of your awards and accomplishments over the past 4 years to which I'm sure

June will bring many more. As you do bear in mind most were earned through the difficult

pits of blog times such as this when you were sure you couldn't measure up and would surely fail.

Not only do you not fail, but rise above the crowd to be acclaimed. Keep chugging along

sweetheart the world is yours; it may just be hard to see the forest for the trees right now.

Anytime you need to vent or want to talk you can always call me or email so you don't

have to wait for comments.

Love ,

Maria :mwah:

Marie,

Keep in mind that may also be a bit symptomatic of a stage of life. When your kids are young much of the season's focus is energy generated by the great anticipation of the mysterious visitor who you must shop for to prepare gifts. In sprinkling the fairy dust to create the magic and wonder of Christmas, it very easily gets in your eyes.

My sons were never even allowed to check the tree unless they woke me up first. At that point I almost believed we needed to check to see if he had come. There was nothing like the look in their eyes when they saw he had.

As they got older I begged my older son not to ruin the magic for my younger and got him instead to buy into creating the magic. He really had just as much fun doing that. By the time my younger was 12 the older insisted we tell him before we caused him to get beat up.

You're right you will get used to it we don't necessarily like to, but we all do.

Enjoy the Christmas season and if you can catch a glimpse try to see its magic through the eyes of a child.

Maria :mwah:

Sue,

Glad you enjoyed your lovely day. You surely do have a multitude to be thankful for and are very wise to realize that includes the appreciation acquired through seeing from the other end of the spectrum.

We are thankful to have such a warm caring friend as you part of our family here.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Love,Maria :mwah:

Sue,

You are not selfish at all. I think what it comes down to is the same basic issue we all deal with. We lost control of our lives the day stroke took over and claimed control of it. It takes tremendous strength and fortitude you have to withstand the rippling effect of the storm that lightening bolt creates.

You have been nothing but a pillar of strength in braving the storm. It is not at all selfish to simply want to able to breathe and come in out of the rain.

For all of the inspiration and support you take the time to offer and provide to others here, I hope you will now allow us to provide you with the loving support you have from us to offer some shelter. Please don't forget we love you and are always here for you.

Maria :mwah:

Kimmie,

Glad you've found Mya to be a blessing in disguise.

The clock thing always threw me, even prestroke. Think I was always brain damaged. Who knows maybe someday we'll come to find out this really straightened us out. :dunno:

Nah just made it worse.

Maria :friends:

Yolie,

Thanks for always sharing pictures of Taylor. I look forward to them so much. They always make my day.

That glowing little face would be adorable and a joy to see without any teeth at all!

Love,

Maria :mwah:

Fred, A little sunburn versus bedsores? that's a no brainer. Sounds like a plan. Bon Voyage

I'll work on putting a template together in my spare time :roflmao: and give it to Steve for approval.

Maria

Jeannie,

Thanks for the info.

I always got a kick out of the petition ones...thought....Did who ever came up with this actually think people were dumb enough to buy into that signing this would constitute a real petition for anything? DELETE.

Sometimes we all just need to use a little common sense too.