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About this blog

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

Entries in this blog

No More Counting the months

this past Saturday November 12th I celebrated my 3rd anniversary as a member of the exclusive Club of stroke survivors I have decided that there's no sense counting months anymore I'm just going to tell me yours must be I'm moving further along on my road of renewal God bless and be well my friends
Jayallen

Jayallen

1

Old age, cognitive impairment, or 30 years of marriage.?

Yesterday waiting for the bus at the main transfer, I was talking ,as always, with another patron, a young woman. Just small talk about riding the bus the weather etc. Then she suddenly asked do you have someone, with a pause I waited for the rest of the question. I final said,im sorry I don't understand the question. She daid do you have someone a girlfriend or wife? I said yes I have a wife She replied too bad because I would be interested. I told her it was flattering. Well it's tru
Jayallen

Jayallen

5

40th anniversity celebration

Wow what an amazing event. It was so good to so many former co-workers, so many hugs. A special acknowledgement, from the Executive Director. One of a few that saw me in the hospital. "So Glad you could make it and we all miss you."   I had to fight back the tears, once again so blessed and humbled.
Jayallen

Jayallen

2

Giving a friend an opportunity to smile during a dark day

A good friend of mine has been sick for a couple of weeks a couple of her children as well as well I had to top it all off on Monday afternoon her mother passed away I sent her a message today offering my condolences and I did tell her if you need anything you let me know although I don't know how much assistance I can be I have no money I travel by bus I can't see and I walk really slow She is one of the regular bus drivers I see on a daily basis I'm sure she said she sent a response back and
Jayallen

Jayallen

1

Cause and Effect

Be the case not the effect! Don't afford anyone the opportunity to laugh at you. Make yourself the punch line of your own jokes. That way people can laugh with you not at you.
Jayallen

Jayallen

1

Recognition

Talking with a few nurses about the most recent CVA patient. One asked if I could stop in room 777. I asked if it was a CVA. No he has cancer started chemo alone snd really struggling. You are always so positive maybe it will help him. We chatted and I told him I would be back in a few day. I'd like to check in on you if you don't mind. Hr said I'd love I look forward to seeing you.   It is such a blessing that my positive attitude is recognized and appreciated by the nurses.   I love havi
Jayallen

Jayallen

0

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

Raining Sunday Blues

I was feeling isolated on a little lonely I was feeling isolated a little lonely I realized I need to take a look its own my own writing and then I thought to myself WWRS that is: what would Rachel say rachel is the counselor I have been seeing for just over a year and I know what she would tell me about my mini pitty party. She would say pull your big boy pants up and get over it. Said with compassion and empathy, but that's what I needed today. that thought made me smile and laugh to myse
Jayallen

Jayallen

2

Out of context

Seeing people out of context with a visual impairment could lead to embarrassing moments or a good laugh.   While having my morning coffee and doing a little writing sitting in the coffee house to my left I hear this familiar voice hey how are you today so I had to turn my head to try to see who was talking to me and then Focus and she said it took awhile to realize who I was didn't it and I started laughing this is the counselor I've been seeing for over a year I don't think I've ever seen he
Jayallen

Jayallen

1

Inspiration all quote?

It Is by going into the abyss that we recover life's Treasures. When we stumble that is where our treasure lies.   (Joseph Campbell)   Peace out have a great day. Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

0

Chance encounter

I boarded the crosstown bus and there was a couple sitting in front of me and he around and sad hey how you doing of course I had no idea who it was and he said you don't remember me do you? I said I'm sorry I don't honestly since my stroke my memory is so bad. He said from the hospital it was one of the stroke survivors that I worked with and I just made such a huge deal about him being out and about it was so good to see him and I'm so glad he had the courage to approach me. What a blessing
Jayallen

Jayallen

0

Counting months

Today marks 35 months since my stroke does anyone else still count the months not wanting to minimize the tragic events of my past but at what point do we stop counting months and start counting years just curious I know it's up to each individual I'm just not sure where I land on that next month will be 3 years any input is always appreciated I love the support and encouragement I get from thank you thank you thank you
Jayallen

Jayallen

4

The blessing continue

Sunday. Accolades from fellow survivor. Humbled beyond words Monday I was asked to run a poetry worjshop for a local non profit organization more of adults needing a quiet place to write and shared Right up my alley. We'd. Still waiting on SSA disability. A former employer send me info on a pension buyout. Value $2400 to be aid in early December. Then the hospital where I volunteer knowing I'm still struggling financially offer to buy my bus pass for three months   Unbelievable blessings
Jayallen

Jayallen

1

Incredibly blessed and Incredibly humbled

With the latest edition of strokenet going live Saturday including my phone Rising on Sunday I got an email from one of our fellow member and she claims poem was wonderful honest and totally relevant to stroke recovery and she now feels inspired to continue Rising but the most incredible comment that she made that just almost back of my knees what she said that she is keeping a copy of it on her desk for easy quick reference as a writer I always hoped that someone can relate to the least some of
Jayallen

Jayallen

2

Making someone's day after she made mine

Saturday I was not feeling very joyful on my way to town. Money was tight, what else is new. I stopped for coffee I was d I going out change and the worker said that's good enough. I'll pay the rest. This person is always so happy and full of positive energy. As I was leaving to get my bus. I told her how she helped me push the negative energy away. I thanked her for the coffee she said don't mention it. I said thank you for being you. We shared a laugh and my day was brightened the re
Jayallen

Jayallen

3

Amazed once again

I was having coffee the other day and a friend of mine stopped by I see her maybe once or twice a month when she stops in for coffee we chatted talked about the kids and the grandkids and I she was leaving I said have a beautiful day actually stopped and looked at me and said I will know I came here knowing I would run into you because you are always such a ray of sunshine be well my friend. Positive attitude is a wonderful thing. Of course a comment like that makes my day even better. Peace
Jayallen

Jayallen

1

Laughter is the best medicine, at least for me

There is nothing funny abiut having-surviving a stroke, however there are humorous situations that arise and I must laugh at them or I would surely cry. The other day switching buses one driver I've gotten to know ealked by and i hear Hey you how are you.but I couldn't see eho it was. She walked up to me put her face directly in front of me. She said "can you sre me know? I assumed you couldn't see me " i daid yes but the best thing is I can laugh about. It was quite a sight the two r
Jayallen

Jayallen

4

Please dont conplain to me

Sharing coffee with a felkiw survivor i was whining about the fact it took me over a month to read a book 180 pages , pre stroke it would've been 1 day. My friend said " please dont complain to me, Im still relearning to read, Id love to have what you have. No matter how frustrating it is. Lremember when you think you have it bad there is likely someone worse off. Keep fighting the good figgt. Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

3

Hearing completed

Glad its over i felt it went good but what di i kbiw about SSA hearings.   Most importantly my lawyer with years of exp. And many many hearing thought it went very well now the next waiting gane begins
Jayallen

Jayallen

1

Welcome unrxpected encouragement

With my volunteer work i visit different floors i always check in at the nurse's station. I alway chat with tge nurse in charge. Thursday, the day before my SSA hearing i checked in as always the nurse asked if i was ok i wasnt my usual chipper self. I said i am fine but nervous about the hearing.   An hour later as i was leaving she was getting off the elevator as i was trying to get on she stopped gave me a big hug and dont wirry it will be fine. What a beautiful gesture from a fellow
Jayallen

Jayallen

2

Happiness

Playing in the yard with my 8year old grabd daughter just being silly we decided to go in it was very cool so we snuggled on the sofa and she said i think we need a blanket. Oh what a joy. Later she stood gave me a
Jayallen

Jayallen

1

Nervous

Tomorrow Friday 9-16 i have my SSA hearing on my appeal for disability.
Jayallen

Jayallen

3

Its been a while

I have been very busy writing poetry having fun and livung it.   So many blessings too numerous to list.
Jayallen

Jayallen

1

Thankful for Another Blessing

the day after the wedding we had a number of family members over to our house the day after the wedding we had a number of family members over to our house many of the nice Cinepolis grew up at on the lake with us so now it's time for beer kids to experience life on the way with huge waves and the kids just squealing with the light I had to sit back and thank God for saving my life and bringing me to that day so that I could enjoy the screens are the light from my grandchildren what a blessing I
Jayallen

Jayallen

3