I find writing this blog cathartic.
ca·thar·tic
kəˈTHärdik/
adjective
1. providing psychological relief through the open expression of strong emotions; causing catharsis.
"crying is a cathartic release"
It is a counselor on paper; offering a place to share, a release of things that need to be said but not always easy because it allows the vulnerable in me to show. The word blog is actually a combination of two words: web and log. It is four concise letters; an accurate description is a log of thoughts published on the web. Over time web log just morphed into blog. This morphed word blog is an expression of my thoughts, the breathings of my heart.
The original intent was to keep family informed on our life in Durango. Somewhere along the way I started writing about Parkinson's disease as well. PD is a road I don't wish others to have to travel. If any of our journey helps another, I am happy for it! Once I started writing about PD, our life and the thoughts that shape it, l began thinking more intentionally about who I am, who I am becoming, and whether I like what I see or not. It allows me to ponder without demanding unattainable an perfection.
This week I met someone who has been reading my musings for over a year. What a delight Marj is!
Chris is my friend and many moons ago I wrote a piece about her. She shared that entry with her mom and since then Marj has 'checked in' occasionally to see what's happening in the Heaton household. She told me she enjoys the recipes. I add recipes and family vignettes in for levity, so this site is not depressing. (Stay tuned for my seared scallops on pesto spaghetti squash...made that the other night). But the fun part for me was meeting a great lady, from far across the country who checks in occasionally on a woman she doesn't know and from afar 'cares'. Now how lovely is that?
The whole process of sitting down to write an entry creates a curious sense of time. I end up writing about myself: I am the fixed point, the constant in this life. I work with Russ on life's journey with PD, I love to cook, I love family memories and I love to figure out how I can approach life with a positive attitude. Of course that doesn't always work, but it's a good thing to ponder! It seems to end up being a bit of a confessional and a bit of a log, a simple act of thinking deeper, delving into the matters of life and the world that shapes my response.