I believe that everything in life is a lesson. There is an opportunity to learn from everything. And when you’re faced with a hard situation, think about what you can learn from it and how you can benefit from it.
Nothing should be totally bad, that’s not the way it is supposed to be. No one’s life is perfect and no one turns out exactly the way they wanted or expected, but life shouldn’t be a burden or something that you dread.
You’re only young once, so you should enjoy it, and you shouldn’t be in such a hurry to grow up. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and everything that you do and all of the decisions that you make, the big ones and the small ones, are all important.
There is such a thing as destiny and fate, but it only takes you so far. You have to help yourself along the way. In life, the end product is certainly important, but it’s how you got there that matters the most.
No one wants to look back on their life and regret half of the things that they did.
You’re going to have to choose between a lot of things in your life. Sometimes it will be an easy choice, sometimes it will be hard. But remember that you’re not alone and everyone goes through what you’re going through.
You’ll laugh and you’ll cry; you’ll get your heart broken at least once, and you’ll probably break someone else’s heart at least once.
Good things will happen to you and bad things will happen to you, but no matter what, don’t let anything or anyone control or drastically change your life. Because it’s your life, you’re the one who’s going to have to live it.
And, sometimes, you really can’t listen to what anybody else says, you just have to listen inside and follow your own instincts.
In the middle of all my pondering life goes on—-
My mom is only two weeks away from exhaustion of her rehabilitation benefits. Decisions have to be made—I can not take care of her, my sister is not going to—–that leaves permanent Nursing Home Placement for her something I had said I would never do—so guilty I feel. Finances are an issue as my parents did just like most they did not plan for this time in their life and there is no Insurance for Nursing Home benefits.
My mother-in-law was taken back by ambulance to the hospital last night and admitted again for the second time in a month. The last year she has been in the hospital as much as she has been home. The Nurse in me wonders if we know all that is going on or are we being kept in the dark—I am not there as I once was because of my own health. This is so frustrating —–
Two weeks ago, we were visiting my in laws helping out after my mother in law was discharged from the hospital when we received a frantic call to return home. There had been a storm during the night and our home was damaged. Now we face roof repairs—repair to one side of the house, electrical repairs, and a few other minor repairs—-those are the major ones.
One of my heroes is my sister-in-law R—-some of you will remember just a little over two years ago, my sixteen year old niece was involved in an auto accident and suffered a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). R. has just found out her 16 year old son has cardiac problems which most likely is secondary to a connective tissue disease or disorder that is genetic. Most likely—-Marfan syndrome. Oh an in case you might want to know—-it is thought Abraham Lincoln had this disorder—now I wonder if R and M just might be related to Abe?
As you can see life is interesting—a pretty big struggle but I’m keeping the faith and staying focused—–for after all Life Is Simply Good and Life will be what you make of it— come ride the roller coaster with me.
Come on….
Hang tight and enjoy the ride….
May 5th, 2007 at 11:48 pm
You know what? You are the coolest lady ever! And you know what else? I am here to ride the rollercoaster with you. It isn’t easy, but try not to feel guilty about the promise you made to your mother. You had good health then and no one knew what was ahead. Just the promise alone showed her how much you really love her, and she knows deep in her heart that you would keep that promise if at all possible. Mom’s know these things.
Take care of yourself, Girlfriend!
Oh, and one more thing you need to know: If we are going to be on the rollercoaster together, like in the same seat, please don’t rock the seat back and forth when we get stuck on the top! It scares the crap out of me! LOL
May 6th, 2007 at 12:01 am
Vickie, I know it’s going to make me sound selfish, but I’m going to say it. Don’t you ever wish life just gave us a “little” break? I said that to my new boss, the priest who came to work for us. You know what he said? “I just met you a few days ago and my wife believes you are the strongest person she has ever met.” When they found out I’ve had two strokes the last eight months, that Joshua has a TBI, that I may go to jail because I refuse to let my daughter be put in a dangerous position, they thought I was strong. Are they kidding me? You have to take care of your mother and battle MS. Kayla lost a leg. Raven is still going through chemo. Daphne survived being hit by a car. Deni’s niece had brain surgery. My point is, all I have to do is come to blog land and I realize that I am not that strong at all…you people are awesome.
May 6th, 2007 at 1:14 am
Im right on board with you. It always is something isnt it? I guess this is just life.But you have to deal with your health on top of everything.With your positive attitude, you will get through this too. My thouhts are with you and your bloggable ones.
May 6th, 2007 at 6:03 am
That picture sums up life pretty well Vickie, highs and lows.
May 6th, 2007 at 6:58 am
Anything I might say would sound like a cliche’ - I’m going to pray hard for the best outcome possible in all situations you mentioned. ((HUGS AND LOVE))
May 6th, 2007 at 8:38 am
But I am terrified of rollercoasters! This was a great post and such a good reminder to me of how I want to be. I want to get the courage to really start living my life. Thank you for the inspiration.
May 6th, 2007 at 10:30 am
In July of 2005 I went through such a low that I thought I might never come out of it. But time, family and friends helped and since then I have found a new purpose in my life, and it is wonderful. Perhaps we need those lows to make us really appreciate all the good things we really do have. Keep the faith and God will help.
Go visit the Boomer Chick in the sidebar of my blog. Her son has Marfans and she has struggled with it, so might be of some help to your SIL. Her name is Dorothy.
May 6th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
A very good friend of mine has five sons. One of them is a St. Jude patient with a brain tumor and one has Marfan’s.
The one with Marfan’s is doing well and so far at least it hasn’t amounted to much. If you are interested or if you wanted to write to her, she’d be happy to respond. Or you could ask me to intervene. Her site is:
http://caringbridge.org/la/jordanamato
May 7th, 2007 at 7:49 am
As a fellow MS sufferer and roller coaster fiend, I’d say you and I have plenty to chat about Vickie. You really do have a full plate at the moment and I can understand how you feel particularly about your mother. But like Itisi said, your mum would understand that you have your own health issues that prevent you from looking after her yourself. She knows you would if you could.
Try to go a little easier on yourself and btw, I loved the first part of your post as well.
PS I love any scary ride you can think of and I’m gave for anything.
May 7th, 2007 at 7:49 am
That was supposed to say “game” for anything. Oops
May 7th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
Wonderfully inspiring post !
Prayers for you and yours.
May 7th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Just wanted to pop in and say Hi ’cause I was thinking of you. I hope Momma B is doing okay.
Thanks so much for your recent comments, too sweet, that’s what you are! Love ya.
May 8th, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Life is a rollercoaster ride and just when you think you can take a breath something else comes to send you through yet another loop.
There is nothing you can do about it but ride it out and hope for the best.
Yopu have done your best for your mother and that’s without help from your sister and there is only so much ypou can do.
You have your health issues to think of and you don’t need the whole family in the hospital.
I hope your MIL gets to feeling better as I do you with your health problems.
Take care
May 8th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
I love roller coasters. Put your hands straight up and lets scream all the way down!
Take care hon. Good post!
May 12th, 2007 at 12:16 am
I came, I saw, I read, I was impressed!