Monday, July 23, 2012

Family Matter

Family matters...there are situations that we need to care about regarding our families. They tend to be matters of importance for us to deal with. Family matters sometimes are not fun, but they are necessary.

There is also the truth that families matter. Family is important to us and they are a part of our heart. We care about how one another are doing. We want to keep in touch and updated as much as possible.

Life change happens. As time goes on our lives go in a variety of directions; family begin to pass away due to age or other issues. In the midst of the changes and the transitions, family still matter to us.

Since the early 1990's I have lived out of the area where I grew up. This is why I have not been able to see my extended family for awhile. My life, like everyone else's, has gone on. I have lived in a variety of states and cities. Besides my brother and sister, my path has not crossed too often with other family. Lately the opportunities have been presenting themselves to reconnect with family. I am trying to take advantage of the opportunities that have come my way.

Last weekend I got to spend time with my cousins. They were a family we visited as often as possible, though the distance was a little far to go see them too often. My aunt and uncle have passed away, but it has been very good to reconnect with the cousins.

As we sat outside on the property after dinner, there was a fire burning and we eventually made smores.  (It had been a long time since I'd had one of those.) The best though was sitting around the campfire sharing stories, laughing, and enjoying the company of one another. It was just me and five of my cousins (and their partners) from this particular family (cousin number six is in California.)

As I stayed at my cousin Sandy's home she shared with me incredible stories of her mom, my aunt. There was much I did not know and I feel like I know my aunt better as a result of my time with Sandy. I also got to know Sandy better.

Growing up I loved spending time with this family, but it is great getting to know them as adults. They are wonderful people. Spending time with them wants me to reconnect with other family members.

In a couple of weeks I will be able to see some cousins from the other side of my family. Again, much time has passed since I have seen them. I can't wait to catch up.

Remember family matter. We walk through some tough times in our families, but we are related to one another. Lets work through the tough stuff and put effort into family. Though I think I have always believed that family matters, I think I have a new appreciation for my family these days.

Blessings to you and your family.

Friday, July 13, 2012

HE WORKS ALL THINGS FOR GOOD

God has brought me through an incredibly horrendous event which began just over four years ago. God  performed miracles following the crash that nearly took my life and He continues to work miracles today through the recovery.

God enables me to connect with other brain injury survivors in an incredible way. It is hard to understand what a brain injury survivor has to walk through. It is actually different for each survivor, though there are similarities and empathy that come out of our individual journeys.

Today I am able to minister to a unique group of people. There is no way I could minister in this capacity if I had not been going through this myself. There are MANY people around us -- around you -- who have sustained brain injuries. Voices needs to speak for us.

LORD, send me!


Friday, July 6, 2012

IT'S NOT JUST ME

This morning I took my cat, Spike, to the vet. He hasn't been quite himself, so I thought it would be good to get him checked out by the kitty doctor.

On this vet visit, Spike was feistier then he has been before at the vet's. They ended up keeping Spike until this afternoon, so they can get him calmed down (w/some drugs) and get some blood work done.

One of the things the kitty doctor told me, was that Spike is probably dealing w/ a lot of stress: the move, the new roommates (including a kitty), a kidney issue he is having, living in a new place without being able to go outside, and now even a new doctor.

STRESS: I thought I was the only one adjusting to a new move, new roommates, new adjustments, new doctors, and adapting to new things. Nope, it's not just me, but apparently Spike too.

Stress is a crazy thing and sometimes we might not realize that is what we're dealing with: whether it is ourselves; if married, a spouse; if you have kids, their stress; friends, roommates, and whoever else.

There are a couple things that I will be able to do with Spike and hopefully, time too, will help him out. This has caused me to take a look at things in my own life and see how I am handling the stress of the transition. What do I need to do for myself differently? How might I be able to handle some of the adjustments and new adaptations differently?

I will talk to my brother too, so that he will know what has been happening with Spike, as well as some of the things I might be doing due to my reactions to stress.

Hopefully the Spikester won't be too much of a handful for the vet and her staff, but then again, they do know that Spike has been under a bit of stress. They'll know how to handle him.