I know many of you have seen posts regarding my grandmother, her Bday is in Sept and she will be 100. I have even written something to say at her Bday, not sure I will but at least its done.

I often wonder how a mother can die at age 61, her brother age 62 and another brother 71. Yet the mother is 100 years old. All these children died from cancer, except one. He was killed in an auto accident with a drunk driver, his BIL pulled in front of a car.

In my years of working with kids, I've often had to explain why some people die, (we had a first grader killed) and others live to be in their 90+ years. I don't have the answer, but the best I could come up with: Maybe God loves them more than people here and misses them so much he calls them home, or maybe their life here was so hard, He's giving them rest. Maybe He leaves the ones we learn from here longer hoping we will follow their example.

I always told my kids that its like trees in spring, new leaves come on, but the old ones have to die first...maybe an older person had to die to bring in a new baby....they liked that idea for some reason.

Now, in all that rambling is this: When we are given a diagnosis of MS, it is not a death sentence. Yes, it is life altering, you will not always be able to do as much or the same things you once enjoyed. Get over it...move on or you will be the most miserable person you know. Having MS doesn't mean you will be in some type mobile aid with wheels immediately...so put it somewhere in one of the rooms in your brain and shut the door. I was dx in 2001, I am now 55 years old and I can still walk most days. I have tremendous amouts of pain 24 hours a day everyday...I still get out of bed and try to do...it takes a heck of a lot longer...but it beats giving up.

You think you can't do it, you think you have it worse...cancer is worse, Parkinson's is worse, ALS is worse, dying is worse! You think because you're having a bad day its ok to let life pass you by! You are very much mistaken, life ain't gonna wait on you to get over your pity party...which you are only entitled to for two days. Yep, Momma's rule is two days! Then haul your sorry butt outta that bed and find something to cheer you up, look in the mirror...find your best feature, put on makeup...sit outside and watch nature.

Just get that butt outta bed, watch a movie...when you lie in that bed for days on end...you are giving up...you might not realize that is what is going on, but that is what is happening. I know, you are gonna tell me that depression is not easy, I don't understand...Bull!! I understand, I have depression caused from the MS, not because I have MS. I have watched my GS play and listened to his laughter through tears that could not be explained.
I have watched a comedy through tears...I have posted this through tears. So, please don't tell me I don't understand...I take ADs, so don't tell me to do that either.

Sometimes the depression gets worse than at others...still, you can't give up, you have to keep going or you will lose the joy in your life. I know your next thing is about the pain...don't even go there!! I take 30mg Vicodin a day and still have pain, its tolerable, but it still lets you know its there! I still play video games with my GS. I still sew for a few minutes a day or take time to write a letter, which is more than painful...I still take time to type a post when I have the time...it just takes me longer. All those backspaces. lol

Having a chronic illness does not mean giving up your life...enjoy your life. I know there are days that it is impossible, but then what about the days you could, and you just refuse and don't? I have those days when I can't get out of bed, no matter what I do or how hard I try. My brain tells me...lets get that room cleaned out, my body says, watch fool we ain't doing nothing!!

Yes, I'm sounding preachy...and I mean for you to get off your butt when you can and do something besides waste the life the good Lord gave you!!
Volunteer at a school or nursing home to read...visit people in the hospital, carry a few chosen flowers from your garden or buy sale items from the florist. How long does it take to put a smile on someone's face?

BTW...for those who are interested send me your address...I like to send little cards sometimes. PM me, your address.

But get out, live your life...do not just let MS take over your life, it ain't worth it!! There are people out there YOU can be an inspiration, YOU can put a smile on thier face, YOUR'S maybe the only smiling face they see!!

Now don't make me tell ya twice...and Momma loves ya, after all you are all my lil special darlins...

Now go live, try to be happy and tell MS to take a hike today...you're going to the beach!!

Well said Momma. MS is not a death sentence, you have that one right! I think the kids you are interacting with are very blessed to have you, and will remember and carry forth the ideas you are sharing with them to future generations and their own children.

true very true, Hello Mama happy sunday to you, ms is not an end and you are right was first thing deb and I talked about when I was DXed, at least it was an inoperable tumor or somehing else as bad, some of the ones you mentioned too. I do what I can each day, sometimes I do a bit too much, but it gets done

If I may say something about this upcoming
bday my grandpa turn 100 and either through congress or something, it was a long time back and I dont recall how they got it, he got a flag honoring him for being 100, sorry about this next sentence, you might want to run that up the congressmans flagpole and she whats what, if my memory serves me right it is also a flag that has been flown at the capital or white house, just a thought, sorry to sidetrack my response

Thanks, I will check into that but I think it is if they served in the Military...could be wrong on that, but I will check.

Yes' mam ... I hears ya.

If we could only put my working fingers together with your wonderful rambling brain... we could set this board on fire Momma . My poor brain wanders off now a days and I get confused while trying to compose posts.

I'm not sure about the flag thing that Frank mentioned...they may now restrict that to only retiring military and government employees. But you can request a birthday card from the White House.

Pam

mawmah....what you've said was one of the "gists" in Randy Pausch's last lecture...he lived that way til the day he died (I am sure...)

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread50691.html

live for the now....that is: Da "Way"



always enjoy your straight forward ways...

Thank you...I kinda don't know how to be any other way...my principal the boss told me once...If ever a class in how to be subtle and tactful is offered would you please sign up? LOL I never did, he always signed my contracts. lol

I looked at the link...sounds like my kinda guy...and cute to boot. This world has lost a good soul, but his message is clear...Live each day...very sound advice.

yes, Momma...

I'm following your sage advice.



my right hand is all swollen up from a rash I got while picking mangoes... they have the same thing as poison oak in the peel, so I'm calamined and gauzed up.... but I can do stuff anyway, as long as I'm careful and slow.

ever try washin' your hair with one hand ? or pullin' on a sports bra?

HAH !!

but I refuse to be all bummed about it, just gonna keep on keepin' on !!

finished my chores, Momma, and took a shower, and now, I'm going to have a big ol' wine cooler, with melon, pitaya, papaya, mango, and apple chunks...

see, I found a REAL bottle of wine in the jungle, a nice light crisp white E & J French Colombard.

cheers, Momma !!

But momma, I don't think them boys are gonna want to wear makeup, especially jmiller.

Something I know in my heart to be true, but it's always good to get a reminder. Thanks, Momma!