There was not lots of adventure, except in our heads, and that's OK. Our world suggests that every minute of every day (i.e. all year long) should be significant. If one believes the 'truths' flooding our eyes and minds via print, radio, TV, and podcasts, life is a party. Well our party is the late afternoon kind, lived in daylight as dusk descends.
Our year in review:
Last winter was devoid of snow. I shoveled more yesterday than the entirety of last year! Last January we were able to sit outside on sunny days.
Parkinson's/MSA takes away the ability to do many thinking skills. Last January we added games to our repertoire. We play a 'version' of Banagrams that works for us. Pick a theme (food, vehicles, sports) and just build words. Sometimes we do this individually and other times we work off the same puzzle.
Russ is an artist. It has been difficult for him to grapple with a body no longer able to do the things it used to do so easily. Russ can no longer be articulate in his painting and he has worked very hard to move from a realism approach to more abstract and impressionism. This month he set himself on a path to 'learn' a new technique. His work retains a realistic appearance, yet is unique.
It took a village to help him 'see' another way. His painting friends Susan and Joan, his counselor Darren and I both sharing photo ideas and Russ watching YouTube artists give lessons in watercolor.
The results are wonderful!
Hmmm, I have no photos from March & April, 2018. I guess those months are a bit of a blur. This is actually a photo from April, 2017... we had a celebration on our new house lot in Estancia in honor of signing the paperwork. I can celebrate that again and again as it was the best decision we could have made in light of health issues 2 years hence. I honestly cannot imagine life in our old house and have no clue how people adapt to homes completely unsuited to mobility issues. April will always be a gift, the right decision at the right time.
May always brings the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic, 1000+ riders racing the train to Silverton.
Russ is a master of all things exercise. He works hard to maintain as much mobility as possible.Our development gifts us with flat roads and a front porch the perfect 'garage' for his tricycle. Come Iron Horse day, he can just ride to the edge of the development to watch all the action.
June brought with it the 416 Fire. The first photo was taken in front of our house and the second was a daily sighting for several weeks; the slurry planes. The fire burned approximately 55,000 acres and caused us to evacuate for 2 weeks. No structures were lost
Russ got in LOTS of bike riding on his tricycle this month, so much so that his bike needed a tune up. Transporting a tricycle is not easy and I noticed a trailer in town one day, Voila! Derek brings the bicycle repair shop to you!
Riding Estancia daily he was able to keep up with all the building. Eventually we will have 40 homes, we are half way there.
Our development likes to stay connected. We all know that if anyone needs help, all they have to do is ask. Today alone 4 neighbors asked if they could help me shovel. That kindness is precipitated from gatherings such as alley parties, happy hours and work parties.
The previous year the development was charged $1700.- to put up the elk fencing. No thank you! We got the majority of residents to come out and in 2 hours we had all the fencing up. And of course that was followed by a potluck.
Through NuMotion and Medicare, Russ got a new electric wheelchair. NuMotion came right to the house to fit it to Russ and teach him how to use it. It is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and wonderful and a gift.
This month was all about giving thanks. Each night at dinner we wrote down something we were thankful/grateful for that day. We make it a practice to give thanks, but writing it down shifted it a bit. We focused on what we have and how blessed our life is even with PD looming.
December was our busiest month. Lots of events, lots of fun.
Happy New Year to all. Join me in focusing on what you have rather than what you don't have. Take time with your family and other relationships. Acknowledge the 'invisible and under appreciated'. Make this year be one of hope... that is my new year's resolution. As seen in the last 12 months, simple pleasures are pure pleasure.
AND THE YEAR AHEAD? HANDBOOK 2019 (Not my thoughts, but a perfect focus for the New Year!)
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2018 .
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything, listen.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
Last but not the least:
40. Say I love you often and give lots of hugs.