Much time has passed since my last post. I seem to have been at a loss for words since the passing of my grandson. Grief is a very strange thing. There is much written about it and many thoroughly explained steps of grief are defined, but there is no quick recovery and each event is so very different.
Several months before Wyatt’s passing he was very anxious and afraid. He was having bad dreams and medications were causing some hallucinations. I happened to be wearing a thin silver band ring with the word PEACE engraved on it. I gave him my ring, and had a conversation with him. “This can be your safety ring. Do you remember in church how we share the peace with our neighbor?” Shaking hands and saying “Peace be with you”. “Yes” he answered. “Wear the ring to remind you that you are safe and fold your hands and say, Dear God, Please take all the scary stuff away.” The ring reminds us that we’re not alone comfort is just a prayer away. The ring and prayers brought him comfort.
We also talked about having a family ring made. He could chose what he wanted it to look like and say. We each would have a ring and wear it so even when we are not together we can wear and feel safe. He discussed the ring with mom dad and sisters and they decided on having a silver band with a small heart stamped on the band and inside the band it would say forever loved. We had them made and wore them. We were comforted by the connection of the ring and the reminder we are not alone. The ring continues to bring me comfort I treasure the daily reminder of my loving grandson’s presence and the comfort of our loving God.
With respect, hope, joy and love, Carmela
When you feel like you need to help someone you pray hard, offer help and support, but you want to be able to do more. This is when we use our hands and minds to help raise money and raise awareness. My grandson is receiving hospice care and has been diagnosed with Mitochondrial Disease. This week is Mitochondrial Disease Awareness week. I have crocheted a Prayer Shawl and placed it on ebay as a charity auction. The funds raised from the auction of the shawl will be donated to United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation to help to find a cure. Please consider visiting the auction link, sharing the auction or post with friends and family, placing a bid, or visiting UMDF.org and making a donation. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your help and support and prayers. Hopefully the new owner of the prayer shawl auction will wrap in the shawl as they pray for the many individuals who are living their lives with mitochondrial disease and the many who will be diagnosed with it in the future as well.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281169193505
With respect, hope, joy and love,
Carmela
Unconditional Love… The World Needs More Of This!
This post is being made in response to the daily prompt http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/08/23/daily-prompt-fake/
The other day I wrote a post about situations that I have been in because of my line of work where lies are a common event in each day. They sometimes are small and seem to be pretty insignificant, and other times grand beyond imagination!
Many times the person may have a diagnosable condition related to mental health. I am not totally clear on what the complete professional explanation in each case is, so I am not claiming to speak about, or give advice on whether or not a lie is an “expectation” or “excuse” of a mental health diagnosis. I can tell you though, working for many years within the mental health environment, it is a very common experience.
My experience is limited to the adult community. Sadly some of the incidents that I have witnessed appear to be, as simple as, someone feeling that they are inadequate and the response to that feeling is to portray themselves as adequate by telling a lie.
What makes a person not comfortable with who they are?
What is perfection in humanity? Where does it start? Is it truly attainable?
Could my 7 year old granddaughter have answered all of these questions?
When I was chatting with my 7 year old granddaughter one day as we were discussing the fact that she only likes peanut butter on a sandwich and no jelly. I commented that this surprised me “I thought all children liked jelly!” Her reply was very simple and matter of fact. She commented, very confidently and without question or concern about this difference, “That’s just how God made me.”
That says a lot! Doesn’t it?
I hope she continues to grow up confident in who she is, and never allows a simple comparison to others make her feel different or less than others!
I also believe as adults we truly need to make sure we encourage individuality and differences instead of pointing them out as a difference!
What is that popular game show now…. Are you smarter than a 5th grader?
I truly think this grandmother failed at the game…. Are you smarter than a seven year old! 🙂 Send this grandmother back to Sunday School!
My granddaughters’ store raising money for a cure for Mitochondrial Disease.
As I was reading another bloggers recent post, I was reminded of a memory of my dad. Since this blog is an old scrapbook that I am sharing of his, I thought I would share a bit of his sense of humor here as well.
My dad was a very avid reader. From current news, political writings, science magazines, to novels. If he had idle time he was reading. As a father he loved to share his wisdom whenever he could. He also had a very funny sense of humor.
I moved back in to live with my dad when my dad was in his eighties. Living with my dad in his later years created many more memories to add to those from childhood. I am not sure why but, my dad often felt the need to comment on my outfits. He sometimes would tell me that my outfit looked nice. Other times he wouldn’t necessarily say that he didn’t like it, but rather leave me with a statement that would spark a thought. Sometimes I would be in the mood to chuckle about it, and other times I did not appreciate the humor 🙂 Later, I must admit, I would remember it and have to chuckle to myself.
One particular morning I was dressed to leave for work. As I came out the hall my dad was sitting on his recliner and stated, ” My God, is that what they are wearing these days? You look like you’re dressed for a Civil War re-enactment!” I was rushed that morning and not exactly welcoming his “what not to wear” opinions:) I continued on to work. As I went about my work day the memory of his comment did cause me to chuckle. Because I work with many elderly people I thought they would also get a chuckle from his comment. As I showed up to greet them, I started my own senior citizen poll on the subject…, “Do I look like I’m dressed for a Civil War re-enactment? ” No-one actually was brave enough to agree with him, although it certainly brought about some smiles and a lighthearted conversation.
I enjoyed, and still do enjoy memories of my dad’s silliness, and his ability to calmly make a one line remark that would bring about a smile and a chuckle.
With respect, hope, joy and love,
Carmela
This post was written for the daily prompt: back to the future. Write a story about a person or a thing that is out of place. Although I didn’t think I was out of place, my dad did 🙂