Re: My thought for today.

From: Lin (j.vermey@xtra.co.nz)
Thu Dec 6 13:09:51 2001


At Thu, 6 Dec 2001, Wally wrote: >
>Now that I have my HRT patch on I can now focus and explain my thought
>for today.
>
>Remember my story about Dad's roses last week? How it isn't until we are
>forced to slow down that we really start to take notice of the little
>things in life? Things we see everyday and probably say, yes that's
>nice, but never really give it a second thought?
>
>I have just come home from my eldest daughter's "mad night" at her all
>girls' high school. It was interesting and VERY amusing snapshots of
>drama, music and art all performed by the years 9, 10 and 11 from her
>school.
>
>They had been split into small groups and had to come up with an
>entertaining piece that portrayed a moment, a familiar thing etc in
>their lives. The different ideas that were presented were absolutely
>entertaining & I thought very clever! Several stood out of amongst them
>all, and yes my daughter's group was one of them. (Of-course as a proud
>an unbiased mother....)
>
>The first one that struck me was how the students perceived the
>differences in "gangs" or groups of friends, or interest groups. The
>two they chose to portray were American boot scootin' country gals, and
>a "homey street gang" both groups enjoyed music and dance, but obviously
>taste in music and dancing styles differed. These two groups put
>forward the idea that really all these groups or gangs had underlying
>similarities and could learn from each other as well as respect the
>differences in lifestyle. They had taken this kernel of an idea and
>presented it in a very thought provoking and entertaining way. It
>showed to me, that despite differences, advantages and disadvantages, we
>could all enjoy being a part of an exciting and diverse culture.
>
>The second one would have appealed to the cat lovers amongst us. There
>were just two girls in this short play, and they both played their parts
>beautifully. The cat was very condescending to her owner & really let
>the audience know that she simply "tolerated" this soppy silly woman who
>owned and loved her. It didn't matter if the cat "whoopsied" under the
>sofa on the good rug, or pulled at the curtains, the cats owner still
>loved her and was concerned about her welfare despite the cats
>antisocial behaviour. When the owner, thinking that the cats behaviour
>was because she needed another "cat friend" to amuse her in the hours
>the owner was at work.... the cat became a different pet, acting with
>the best of manners and meowing and basically "sucking up" to her owner.
>It was VERY well done and had received the best response from the
>audience thus far.
>
>Then my daughters group came on.... now I know many of you are fans of
>Steve Erwin, the crocodile hunter from Queensland Australia, a true
>example of the ocker behaviour & speech. It was so funny, that everyone
>laughed continuously throughout the whole piece. My daughter played the
>part of another famous ocker male Paul Hogan (Crocodile Dundee) and they
>played up both characters so well that you could really recognise the
>speech inflections, the well known famous lines and used many other
>famous Aussie icons to put on a very creative and entertaining piece.
>
>We went to the "Year 10 Mad Night" as a family, along with my mother
>(Nan has a soft spot for her eldest grandchild) and Emma's boyfriend,
>who is in Year 11 at the all boys' high school in town. I was not at my
>best today, and I was forced to rest all day in bed so that I would be
>able to withstand the several hours of the show. I was extremely ill,
>and everyone thought that it would be best if I stayed at home (before I
>put my make-up on, well lets just say it wasn't pretty). I refused to
>let them talk me into staying home, I am so glad that I am a stubborn
>chook sometimes, because the pain I was in while at the school, and the
>pain I am experiencing now is well worth the experience I had enjoyed
>tonight.
>
>Why should we let our illness destroy our love and enjoyment of life?
>For those of you who have children I am sure will agree with me, there
>is not a better dose of medicine available can make up for precious
>times like the one I spent with my family tonight.
>
>Please, if you are finding it hard to cope with your pain, if you find
>yourself staying home because the effort of getting ready and looking
>well for the time you are out is too hard, do it anyway. Make yourself
>do some Christmas Shopping this week, attend a local play, visit a
>friend in hospital, volunteer for a Christmas Charity. Don't let the
>pain of adhesions rule your life, absorb it, accept it and work around
>it as best you can. There will be times when you are simply too ill, I
>accept that, I had one of those occasions just yesterday, I was meant to
>be at a school function last night in my capacity as President of the
>school P&F Association (PTA to those of you in the States). I had to
>get Shane to ring and apologise for me, I had to make a decision, go
>last night & miss tonight, or the other way around. I am so glad that I
>chose tonight. I know that some of my adhesions were formed because of
>my c-sections to deliver my girls, but I thank God every day for the
>pain, because it has given me four beautiful and talented children who
>allow me to see the true beauty in living.... and it is in the day to
>day living that we find happiness and solace for all our troubles and
>pain, whether you have children or not.
>
>With all my love & gentle warm hugs
>Jo (Australia)
>
>--
>P.S. I'm not a doctor or medical person, just a fellow
>adhesions sufferer who really wants better treatment
>for us all.

Friday, 7 December, 2001 9:10 am

Dearest jo,

I so enjoyed reading about your family outing! You described it so well!

I hope that you have gotten your pain more under control today.

I know what you mean about noticing the little things in life. Last night John called me out onto the verandah - he sounded so excited - and when I got to where he was standing he pointed out the most unusual moth we had ever seen! It was so beautiful, the details of its patterns so AWESOME! It had a white background, with black 'tiger-like' stripes - even it's antennae were striped!

These days I take notice of things I never took an interest in when I was well - it's funny how when you're well and healthy that you take it all for granted.

I'm often accused of being sentimental. But I don't care. I love life, I think it's precious. I don't care about material wealth, like my family seems to. John and I have a motto - and that is basically that we prefer to spend our life enjoying the quality rather than the quantity.

I used to be very conscious of how other people perceived me - but not any more. I am who I am - and if people like my mother and father and my sisters don't like that - well tough.

Jo, I think you are so right to say that we should try and enjoy ourselves, and not only during the Christmas and the New Year season, but all through the year - regardless of the pain. I have missed out on so many things because I stayed at home because of the pain. I have used my pain as an excuse, but staying at home as only made me isolated and lonely, and because I've been house bound for so long I am now scared of going outside my own property - I even feel frightened and anxious in a supermarket - in a crowd of people - and that is not healthy.

John suggested to me this morning that he take me Christmas shopping tonight - and I'm going - it is something that I have not done for at least 5 years. I'm planning on enjoying myself, regardless of the pain or of how bad I feel. I need to start living again - and even though I'm a little aprehensive - I'm going to take one step at a time.

Thank you Jo for helping me see the light.

I think you are a wonderful person and friend.

Love,

>

--
Lin

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