Hopefully I will be back now for at least six months straight. Sorry I have been MIA as I have been gone for the last few weeks. It’s been a crazy six months (crazy couple of years actually) for me dealing with family stuff. Some of you may know already, but I haven’t shared all that much. My mother has Alzheimers and so there has been alot of changes and adjustments to my family’s life, especially this year as the disease grabs on tighter. So that is why I can disappear for weeks at a time from the boards while we deal with certain adjustments. For those who have parents or grandparents or know anyone who has Alzheimers, you know it is a hideously bizarre and heartbreaking journey.
It’s been a stressful year, but the good news is that it seems like life just keeps on keepin’ on regardless, and you just have to make the best of it. Nothing much more you can do but grieve here and there and move on. At least things are settling down now and we are in just the maintaining mode for now and can only just take things day by day.
In general though there are many things to be thankful for. Life is still rather grand in many ways. One thing that Alzheimers has taught me is there is something to be said for living in the moment. (as the disease forces that) And sometimes simple things can bring such amazing joy. For example: My mother, who was a very anxious soul before Alzheimers, now has no problem spending her morning looking at the beautiful sunrise while enjoying a chocolate icecream bar for breakfast. Zero self-consciousness as she looked at me with a chocolate covered smile and asked me to come join her. She doesn’t understand necessarily the time of day (but appreciates natures beauty) or what is “socially” appropriate, (and she used to be hyper-aware of that), but she is just living in the moment. Its not always this blissful as those who are experienced with Alzheimers know, but it is a learning lesson. Basically, what I am learning from this is to not to borrow tomorrows troubles and don’t be too concerned what other people think of you. It’s not all that hard to just be nice either–(not overly accomodating due to a feeling of obligation) but just a laid back geniune kindness to others…and to yourself. Life will be much more peaceful I think. Of course, feeling peaceful is not always that simple, but it’s a general lesson that I benefit from. Finding things to be grateful for also add peace for me throughout this experience so far.
I have many things in life to be grateful for. And two of them have to do with this board: I extremely grateful to such great members and to my outstanding leader team for taking the reigns and keeping this ship afloat in my absence. I just can’t thank you enough.
Anyway, I hope to be able to be back on the boards for a longer while….just taking things day by day though.