Somehow though I feel like I am beginning to get back to some sort of normal or back to a healthier place.
One way to tell that we are getting back on track is when we get moving and do something "different". It's usually something relatively spontaneous, a little wacky, lots of fun and usually has very little cost involved. This tendency of ours has led us to some very interesting places and kind of our signature approach to life. The last few years we have been a bit limited because spontaneity is a little difficult with the logistics of a chronic illness.
We have an early morning news show called "Good Morning Northwest" that I like to have on in the background of my waking up ritual on an occasional morning. On Fridays they have one of their anchors at a "secret" soon to be revealed location and they have some sort of give away. Two weeks ago it was just a few blocks away at a local car dealership and they were giving away tickets to the "Monster Truck Jam". So I screwed up my courage, banished my relunctance to get dressed and go out into the dark cold of an early snowy morning, and drove to the spot and got two free tickets to the event.The one compelling reason that I used to convince myself to go was that I really like the anchor that does these "For Free Friday" things and March is coming.
March is MSA Awareness month (Everyone wear purple!) and many of the MSA sites that I frequent have been making a coordinated effort to get the word out. As a result we can download a professional press release and packet that has all the info you need to pass on to your local media and lawmakers to promote MSA Awareness. so I booted up the computer, printed a copy and off I went.
So now I have done my civic duty and scored some tickets.
And on sunday we went to "MONSTER TRUCK JAM"!
We had a great time! Back when Bob was a teenager he was very involved in racing, and we have always enjoyed going to the occasional sprint car race, watching Formula 1 on TV, and Bob loves to watch the tractor shows on the Rural TV channel. So at the begining of the show they are all reving their motors and the whole place is just vibrating with sound and he starts to cry. I was a littled worried it was because his ears might be too sensitive (he did have ear protection) but he said he was just filled up with memories and yes he was enjoying it.
Often times Bob has difficulty with facial expressions and to those that don't know him he can look like he has a mask on, but on that day there were some very definite expressions of joy that crossed his face and it was a very precious thing to see. What a wonderful day, a simple thing that became a very bright memory.
We need these bright momments, because sometimes our reality can really suck. Lately we have had some health challenges and last week our MSA community lost a very dear man to this awful disease. Bob and I will be traveling to Everett with Kym Crowe (who lost her mom in Nov) so that she and I can attend the services. Kym makes these amazing MSA Awareness bracelets to help raise funds for research.
I know Kym is still in the throes of greiving her mom and I too have been impacted by his passing. Keith was a believer and I am so glad that he is at rest and in God's care. Pam however is now faced with his loss and we go to wrap our arms around each other to offer comfort, understanding and love.
Pray for us on our journey and remember that:
March is MSA Awarenes month and wear purple for Connie, Keith and Bob.
