Most of the week was an emotional high. Life was good in many ways. I am blessed in so many ways and I try to remember that every morning and every evening. It was good to hear from family and friends far and near. My time was spent with family - still have not caught up with my friends, but they know I am thinking about them. How was your week?
It was nice to see lots of patients at the nursing home have visitors for a couple of days and many brought in their dogs. It's great to see how the patients interact with dogs. I thought it was great that the each staff member was responsible for being Santa for a couple of patients. It felt wonderful to see the care and thoughtfulness that the staff took in purchasing the gifts. We brought dinner in to celebrate with my mom (there is a private room we reserve) and had her open presents from the staff and us, but left everything else at home so as to not overwhelm her. My sister prepared lasagna for dinner (per mom's request), my dad prepared the antipasto salad, and I purchased the pies (you did not expect me to bake did you?...LOL). My mom ate really well - especially the black olives - and really seemed upbeat. She also got to see (via video) and talk to Shamus - which made her day - of course it made mine too!
As I have mentioned in the past, some people believe I am part of the staff at the nursing home because I'm there so much. I talk to many of the patients, family and staff to keep informed of what's going on. As most of you know, I always try to keep informed of what's happening with anything I'm involved - used to be the same at work. Two cute stories for the week: There is a patient nicknamed Fluffy and she is a very sweet woman (at least when I'm there) and she is a walker and roamer. She is very soft spoken and usually comes over to talk to me at least once or twice a day. The other day it was time for my mom to do some PT and walk in the hall. This is the day that Fluffy decided to be my shadow so she was holding my hand as I went to help walk with my mom. I said, Fluffy I need to walk with my mom now; so she stood right beside me. My mom was giving the therapist a bit of a hard time and looked at Fluffy and said, tell me what I should do! Fluffy looked at my mom and said: "Get up out of the chair!" My mom said ok and got up to walk. As my mom walked with the walker, Fluffy followed behind by pushing the chair the entire time. We rested and Fluffy waited. It was really cute to see her trying to help my mom. Then we all went to the dining room together for lunch. Another patient said to me the other day when I was coming and going from the dining hall, "who said you could leave?" I just started laughing and said it's ok Joanie I'm just trying to get things done. She said, "alright."
Another patient's husband, whom I see almost every morning before he leaves for the day, gave me a scratch ticket the other day for Christmas. He knows I visit my mom almost every day. I said you don't have to do that, he said take it and good luck. I won $5.00.
I spent a wonderful couple of days with my niece as she came to stay. We went shopping for the after Christmas bargains and picked up a few things. She was able to rest and take naps as teenagers like to do. While she took a long nap on Saturday I took down all the decorations and put everything away. She woke up to life returning to normal. I'll be leaving this coming week and promised my dad I would take care of everything before I go. You know that means I have quite a few things to get finished this week, but at least the house is back in order.
Today was a wonderful day as my sister, niece and I went to see the Boston Ballet perform the Nutcracker. I have always wanted to see it and finally decided this would be the year. We had great seats and the performance was excellent. It was great sharing this new experience with my sister and niece. We then went to dinner together at Fire and Ice in Boston. Neither of them had been to this restaurant before so after finding parking near the restaurant we had a very nice early dinner. I love sharing new experiences with them although I always get nervous when my niece is involved. She can be very persnickety so I worry that she'll be miserable. Did you anything special this past week with family and/or friends?
I was listening to the radio on the way home today and I heard Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dying" and that it was a hit 10 years ago. It brought back so many memories as it was this song that started the journey of major changes in my life. In the past when I heard that song I would be sad and cry. Today I felt just amazement at the changes I made. Do you have changes in your life that you can associate with music? Music has always played an important part in my life and is associated with so many memories over the years. What about you?
My December time with my family is winding down. My dad always says you don't have to keep coming back and I say, yes I do. We are family and we help each other. My dad has been declared legally blind and in some ways it has been a blessing. He is testing a new machine which has helped him read again and he is so excited. I did not realize that he had not read hardly anything for over a year except for bills and that was a struggle. They told him with this machine he would be able to write checks again because of the way it is brought up on the machine. He joked that if he wrote his own checks he would be arrested as we have been signing for him for so long. He was so happy he could read his bible and catechism again as they both have tiny print. It's almost a new lease on life for him. I must admit he and I both teared up the first time he went on the machine. But the breakthrough came this morning when he said to me, I need to go to the registry this week I am going to turn in my license. I said REALLY!!! Of course, he then said, you know if there is an emergency I will drive any way! As I said to my sister, that will be really hard with no cars here for him to drive.
How do you feel about the new year approaching? I feel both happy and sad. It is a time for reflection, but as I have said before I am focusing on accomplishments. I am not worried about what I did not get done - perhaps it was not the right time. I do not make resolutions as I don't want to feel the pressure. What do you think about resolutions? I would rather make a couple of goals and focus on some steps to get there. Can I help you with goal setting or the steps? Can I help hold you accountable through coaching?
I'm still behind with my reading. One of these days I'll finish a book and let you know about it. Are you reading anything that you want to pass along? Just let me know.
I am going to end here for today. I have many thoughts in my head, but nothing is popping as important to be said today. I hope you have a wonderful week. Take care....chat soon. If I don't write before hand - HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2015! Marie
"The things you are passionate about are not random. They are your calling." Fabienne Frederickson
"Cut not the wings of your dreams, for they are the heartbeat and the freedom of your soul." Flavia
"Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart ...Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens." Carl Jung (1875-1961), Psychologist