[fmichael]

Mark -

I caught your banner: I DO ALL MY OWN THINKING

Who, having known you for even a little while, would be lame enough to suggest otherwise?

Mike

Dear Mark,

You remind so much of one of my son's who is mentally gifted. Who seriously has the common sense behind him as well, just like you do. So he was alot more than a nerd you could say.

I bet the teachers asked your mom what do you, he is so well adjusted. I did nothing more than I have with the other 2, but he seriouly cried when I got DX with this hell. You are such a joy here, and a blessing as well.
Hugs, Roz

[allentgamer]

Not only does he do all of his own thinking, but he does without a net!!

No Seriously Mark,

What do I do? This son call's me just about every day. Ask's me how I am doing, I just tell him I am getting better what else can I do.

He picks me up to take me out to diiner at least once a week, thank goodness he gives me notice, the night before, I try to really fake it. It just about takes me all day, hair fixed, makeup, clothes etc.. I don't want him to know differently.

I am 48 years old. I will never know if I raised him or he raised me.



At least we can have a good laugh. Hugs, Roz

[WickedGood]

Turns Red and Blushes!!!! I credit all my strengths to my Mom who raised 12 children and me being the youngest. Her wisdoms, self confidence and ability to look beyond what was staring her straight in the face helped all of us to be strong individuals. She taught us to be independent, kind, curious, generous, thoughtful, caring individuals.

But at the same time she made sure that each of us grew up with our own individual personalities. Each of my siblings and I are so much different and yet so much alike if that makes any sense. We are a very loving family. We have so much fun when we get together.

I never in a million years would have planned on being strapped with this dreaded RSD or any of the other diseases that I am dealing with. It has been a blow to my family as well. However I have had to take a step back and assess the situation and decide wether I was going to win the fight or relent and give in to it. So far I am winning regardless of how I feel most of the time. I am a true believable that laughter is a cure for many a illness.

I also believe that if I can make just one person feel better (if just for a moment) through laughter or a kind word or even lending a ear to listen than it makes all the difference in the world. I am not a big believer in materialistics. I have just enough to make me happy. My motto is "Simplicity is Elegance".

The only other thing that I have learned to overcome these last seven years is being able to take more control of my health. In other words not hanging on every word of the doctors. I use to assume that whatever the doctor said was it. I am finding more and more that that is not necessarily true. I do have the right to challenge (2nd and 3rd opinions) and I use them often. I now question everything. Doctors these days are all on ego trips. If they can't "FIX" you right than and there they pretty much give up on you. Well I have learned also that the "Squeaky Wheel Gets The Grease". Well I'm done rambling again. I bet none of this makes one bit of sense. Please forgive. I have only had one cup of coffee so far.

Chin Up My Friends!!!! Mark

[coachV]

LOL....funny comments, both of u....thx, i can always use a good laugh!

liz

[coachV]

mark,

your family, especially your mother, sound wonderful.

your comment about 'elegant simplicity' sounds like something i've thought about for years.....when i was younger i was inclined to be very materialistic (oh, all right - greedy and grasping)....i grew up on the wrong side of the tracks and attached undue importance to having 'stuff'.....with bill's medical problems, and not working, we were very hard up and it was making me crazy.

one day i saw a tv show where jack klugman was a guest, and he said something that changed my view of money....(who'd have thought of jack klugman as a philosopher?)....he was talking about how much he was enjoying doing the show "Quincy" and someone commented that he was now making big money.....he answered along these lines: "there's no such thing as big money....the accountants and investment guys and the tax man might handle it, but it really doesn't matter.....what makes u happy is little money".....he went on to tell the story of his son going to the movies with a friend, and when the movie ended, the friend's car wouldn't start....so his son called and asked him to come and get them....klugman siad that he was watching a playoff game on tv and didn't want to miss the ending, so he told his son to call a taxi and he'd pay for it when they got home....he finished by saying "that's little money, and that's the money that makes u happy".

i'm not sure that my definition of little money would match his, but he's absolutely right....it isn't having thousands in the bank that makes u happy (though that's very nice too).....for me, it's been knowing i could afford to go out for chinese when the urge struck, or be able to send my kids on field trips and things like that....i think u r very wise to have figured it out....i know i'm a much happier person for really enjoying my little money!

and if an actor/comic/philosopher doesn't quite do it for u, how about this quote from Horace that sounds just like what u said: "We are not poor while naught we seek. Happiest to whom high heaven, enough - no more - with sparing hand has given".

didn't mean to go on so long, but i hope u enjoy the money story.

liz