Why did I start this blog today? I have been thinking about starting a new blog for some time now, but today seemed the perfect day. I have been handed more than I thought I could handle in the last week (over Thanksgiving week as a matter of fact) and I know today is the perfect day to begin a new path. A new blog with a new attitude, to be more precise.
Sometimes I forget that I need to reach out and share in the midst of a crisis. Other times, I think I don't shut my mouth for a second. Lately, I think it has been a combination of both. So my blog will be a way for me to truly express myself and I hope you will give me feedback and express yourselves as well. We are all in this world together.
My life is pretty ordinary. I live in a nice house in the suburbs. I haven't worked outside the house since I quit my job at a large law firm to take care of my father for three years until he passed away in 2010. I lost my mother to cancer ten years almost to the day before I lost my father.
After my round-the-clock care giving days ended, I really didn't know what direction my life should take, so I didn't take any direction! Most of my days were pretty ordinary. My children are in their twenties and they don't need me very often, but they love me all the time and I love them! Each day seemed pretty much the same, that is until I got an unexpected addition to our family.
After my round-the-clock care giving days ended, I really didn't know what direction my life should take, so I didn't take any direction! Most of my days were pretty ordinary. My children are in their twenties and they don't need me very often, but they love me all the time and I love them! Each day seemed pretty much the same, that is until I got an unexpected addition to our family.
No, not a new baby at 46 years of age. But a lovely, caring adult cousin with special needs who was added to my family and my home. Ruth is a 42-year-old who brought with her her own set of requirements and concerns. She lives courageously with mild cerebral palsy, epilepsy and learning disabilities. She also came to me complete with one of the nation's biggest health problems, morbid obesity.
Now that I have mentioned her "disabilities," let me tell you Ruth's "abilities!" I will name just a few, because there is only so much space! She is the bravest person I know. She is also the brightest, cheeriest, warmest, kindest and best person I have ever met. She has courage beyond measure and strength to do what others wouldn't even try. I am blessed to be her cousin.
Ruth also has the best memory of anyone I ever met. She can listen to a CD and remember most of the words after the first time and sing along the next time in the car while I mess up all the words even though I've owned the CD for years! She doesn't forget anything. If you told Ruth to call you on such-and-such a date, say six months from now, to remind you to make a doctor's appointment, she would not only remember and call you, but more than likely, you would probably have forgotten the purpose of her call. She is spectacular!
Ruth also has the best memory of anyone I ever met. She can listen to a CD and remember most of the words after the first time and sing along the next time in the car while I mess up all the words even though I've owned the CD for years! She doesn't forget anything. If you told Ruth to call you on such-and-such a date, say six months from now, to remind you to make a doctor's appointment, she would not only remember and call you, but more than likely, you would probably have forgotten the purpose of her call. She is spectacular!
We now have new challenges that Ruth and I face together and individually. For instance, I just finished my weight loss journey (if you can ever consider yourself "finished" since it is ongoing) and she has just begun hers.
We spend our days together and look for ways we can help each other and people around us. Ruth has the most giving heart I have ever seen. She loves to help touch the lives of people. I think she does that automatically just by being herself, but in addition, she looks for ways she can purposely touch people's lives and bless their hearts too.
We spend our days together and look for ways we can help each other and people around us. Ruth has the most giving heart I have ever seen. She loves to help touch the lives of people. I think she does that automatically just by being herself, but in addition, she looks for ways she can purposely touch people's lives and bless their hearts too.
I want this to be about paths. Paths we all take whether we are prepared for them or not. Sometimes those paths are so unfamiliar we don't know whether to sit down and cry or run like a maniac to find our way! You may be a new parent. Maybe you are part of the sandwich generation like I was--taking care of children and a parent or two. Maybe you are an empty nester. Maybe you, too, have a challenged child or adult family member. Or perhaps you just need a little more sanity in your life, your home, your food habits, your job or your relationships.
Let's get on the path and move forward simply together.
Let's get on the path and move forward simply together.
This is terrific.
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