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About this blog

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

Entries in this blog

Let's make the world a better place one person at a time

While updating my blog and drinking my coffee this morning, I heard a young lady say I try to perform one random act of kindness daily I turned around and said that's so beautiful I live my life that way too she said I try to get up every morning and tell myself to be nice to everyone and everything I encounter I said that's really cool as she was getting ready to leave with her coffee to go. I said one of my life goals is to make the world a better place one person at a time; turned around sit
Jayallen

Jayallen

6

Outpatient visit

You may recall my frustration when I missed my friend last time, I checked to see when she would be done with therapy then set an alarm on my phone. (You see Asha I learned from my mistake.) I use my phone alarm for many reminders. I saw her and her mother They both smiled huge grins when they saw me. She gave me a high five with her bad hand and I of course made a big deal out that as well. Mom said how great I appeared to be doing. My friend is still gaining mobility and function of her r
Jayallen

Jayallen

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RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

I am sharing these stories becausse the joy that has been added to the world through positive energy and kind gestures, not seeking any glory. there are opportunities everywhere every day. Most are free.   Early this morning two young men were taking the bus to a local high school for fitness training for football, they were new to the bus. I told the driver they wanted to get off at the school (just in case they forgot to request the stop, which they did)as the driver approached the school
Jayallen

Jayallen

1

Too much time on my hands

Questions Pondered: Why do call them/it: Jumbo Shrimp? Are they large or small? Civil War? There is nothing civil about War. chili when we make it with burger, onions tomatoes, beans etc usually quite hot? Red winged black bird when it's orange (I could be color blind) Seagullsthose sometimes annoying birds that live on Lake Huron and have never seen a sea or ocean.   I need to find more volunteer work, to help others and not spend my time on silliness like this.   Peace , love a
Jayallen

Jayallen

0

Memory issues can be good for the ego.

The other day while waiting for the bus at the grocery store. I noticed this very attractive young lady, we made eye contact and she got a huge smile on her face and began walking toward me. My thought was “oh god what do I do now? Then she said “ hi Mr. Y how are you? You look great.” It was a high school friend of one of my daughters, whom I haven’t seen for over 3 years. ( stroke was 20 months ago.   For a brief moment I was “the man” this young lady was approaching me because of my smi
Jayallen

Jayallen

2

Random thoughts

Any day I can wake up and stand upIs a great day.   I find it interesting when the sun is shining and it’s 80 degrees, people proclaim it’s a beautiful day; I find every day beautiful. In a bizarre way my stroke was a blessing, an awakening of a spiritual nature.   Life post stroke is like a Karmic reincarnation; only in the same life. Better learn those lessons this time around. I am humbled by the love and support from my friends I’ve never met face to face and know only as a name /prof
Jayallen

Jayallen

3

An amazing weekend

Super busy doing the family thing having loads of fun I'll update tomorrow I miss my blog and all of your comments Peace love and prayers Jay
Jayallen

Jayallen

5

recognize blessings

yesterday while having coffee and updating my blog,an old friend stopped by as we chatted, he asked how thingswere going financially.I told him about SSA and the latest hoop. I didsay we are managing. he wrote out a check to help out. what a friend. We have become a society of givers and we are challenged to accept gifts graciously. I give what I can at this point of my life, emotional support, encouragement and hope for the future to fellow survivors and their families. I am humbled by my
Jayallen

Jayallen

0

Frustration

Monday June 29, 2015 I stopped by the outpatient rehab unit to visit, I saw a "friend" that I met when I was a patient. I watched her slowly walk the hall way using a cane, ( she has been using a wheel chair for over a year),waiting for her therapy to get done, as not cause any distraction, I wanted to encourage her and give some positive feedback about her progress. I was in the waiting room, hoping to talk to her on her way out. To pass the time, I was doing a word search. I finally checked
Jayallen

Jayallen

2

Another brush with nature

The other morning while walking up the street to the bus stop there were three crows (well at least my family calls them crows)if they're not crows they are definitely super sized black birds. As I walked by I turn my head to the right so I could keep an eye on them and it was quite interesting because as I was walking past, all three of them in unison were watching me in their heads turning as I walked past Once I sat down on the bench to wait for the bus the three of them came swooping by me
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Laugh for the day

My oldest daughter had a birthday today, she lives in Chicago, must make sure I call at a reasonable time. So I called her at 11,am est,10amcst. When she answered I sabg happy birthday to her. She asked what I was doing, I told her I just finished my mental health assessment. She said, okay are you sane?___we both laughed at the question. My child a smart *beep*, imagine that.   It really runs in the family, must be the parenting skills.   I find a good laugh at least once a day helps
Jayallen

Jayallen

2

paranoia?

SSA has scheduled an adult mental health assessment Tuesday, I know they question my depression, I have caught too hard and struggled from time to time, but I refuse to let despair rule my life. I just hope that doesn't putmy disability in jeopardy.   I need some encouragement please help me   Peace, love and prayers
Jayallen

Jayallen

4

Summer Time Rain

How beautiful the summer rain is, okay I am getting a little wet traveling by bus ... Or waiting for it anyway. What a blessing to be here and live with the rain fall soaking me I just want to scream I'm alive!!!!     Even the morning rain does not stop the birds from singing I'm sitting next to my favorite clump of bushes where I saw the squirrel and the bunny and now Robin looks to be making a nest I watch the rain drops drip from the leaves much like teardrops we've all cried over our loss
Jayallen

Jayallen

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happy birthday

My grandson turned four today. What an absolute blessing that I am here yi witness this celebration. After successfully blowing out the candles on the cake he just blurted out " okay, where are the presents? I know his mother ( my daughter) was mortfied, I however laughed at his honest assessment of the situation, he knew it was his day and he was getting presents why delay it any longer?   Children can't be burdened with social correctness. Peace, love and prayers Jayallen
Jayallen

Jayallen

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Another new friend

I talked about the good transportation system we have, I live in the township that offers dial a ride service, the bus picks you up at your designated address and takes you to a transfer location where you can meet up with the main line buses. I was on my way home this afternoon i wason the dial a ride bus and the dispatcher called and gave additional pickups for the bus driver. The only problem was the bus driver is new to the area and was unsure of one of the addresses I told her I knew ex
Jayallen

Jayallen

1

"One with Nature,( well most of it antway).

My sister in law who is staying with us temporarily decided to rescue a kitten she brought into the house Tuesday for the first time after spending the weekend at the VET the first time I walked in the house little buggers scampered off is afraid of me he quickly warmed up to me and continue to climb all over me including while I was sleeping with me every time I shifted during the night his claws dug into my back or my stomach Wednesday evening I was sitting out at the picnic table watching
Jayallen

Jayallen

0

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

The blind leading theblind

Today on the bus,actually waiting for the bus I struck up a conversation with a man with ovivious visual impairment, he uses a white cane. We rode the bus to the downtown transfer point. I asked if he needed assistance getting to his next bus he said "that would be great. Let me put my hand on your shoulder, then he said you are one tall f%%%%er.". I asked permission to ask a question. I asked if he was totally blind. Yes the result of a car accident 22 years ago. I said you seem to get aro
Jayallen

Jayallen

3

Happy father's day

It truly is a happy day, I've heard from three if my four kids, the day is only half over. I've seen two if my three grandkids. I'm so thankful gid gave me a new chance I'm lucky to be here what a sweet day   Peace, love, and prayers Jayallen
Jayallen

Jayallen

4

HumpDay (wednesday)

Wednesday "humpday" doesn't have the same meaning for me!There are times I don't recall the day of the week. My day started drinking coffee watching the sun rise over southern Lake Huron, with two freighters passing in the middle of the glistening sunlight. For 26 years I've Had that as a possibility, yet only now do I take advantage of this glorious spectical every day. Then as I was walking up the street to my bench where I wait for the bus the birds we're tripping to me as I was walking alo
Jayallen

Jayallen

4

Little and large things taken for granted

Very often we talk of the little things in life we appreciate more now, post stroke, Sitting outside my favorite coffee house A block away from the St. Clair river the main north south superhighway for shipping traffic, I know I took for granted in the past but watching a freighter loaded with iron ore headed to some far away steel mill to become a car or stove. Then minutes later an empty freighter north bound for a load of something. How amazing watching the commerce of the world pass bef
Jayallen

Jayallen

2

Today is one of those ( amazing) days

Keep despair ( depression) at bay look at life with the bail lifted don't focus on the things you've lost things you can no longer do concentrate on what you can do look at life through a new set of eyes this morning I noticed the way the wind blowing through the trees as if to say good morning then sitting on a bench for the bus two squirrels chasing each other don't notice me pass within inches of my feet seen only as an obstacle to be avoided not a human to be Feared one with nature
Jayallen

Jayallen

2

New friend

Yesterday while doing my volunteer work at the hospital. I introduced myself as a patient in bassador once I explain the role I asked permission to jot notes of anything individual might say because my memory is so bad since my stroke 19 months ago she said of course so you had a stroke 19 months ago I had a stroke 18 years ago wow did that open the floodgates of discussion I had to say to her looking at you even though you're in the hospital for other reasons she is offering me hope and inspi
Jayallen

Jayallen

2

Legal blindness

After seeing the opthalmologist I asked today if there is any chance therapy might help he said at this point 19 months post stroke the nerve damage is permanant Just another pot hole on NY journey Peace prayers and positive vibes to all Hay
Jayallen

Jayallen

5

Labels

what do labels mean what do labels do? labels are simply barriers they are preconceived notions or categories about youridentify the notion of what we should be or what we should do I am a stroke survivor not a stroke victim now I can add legally blind label to myself am i handicapped disabled differently abled what does the label tell you about the person that I am nothing simply an arbitrary notion of how I should be and how I should be treated there is only one label that matters to m
Jayallen

Jayallen

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