Life is good, Mon! Life is good. You have truly embraced mindfulness. You're right, we all encounter those seemingly big boulders in life labelled "change." I'm glad you're conquering this. Maturity incarcerated! Sounds like a band name, eh? Donn Ho incarcerated.
I'm listening to the audio files you sent me from Kabat-Zinn. His guidance helps me on the path. Just found out Peggy has a very rare disease called polychondritis. Her auto-immune disorder triggered this response from a very serious infection she got in 2005 that almost had her number. Trauma sends the immune system into overdrive and it seeks a form to manifest itself. Carter has it, too, but a sunburn triggered his vitiligo. So, his body attacks his skin pigment, causing the white patches, making him vulnerable to skin cancer. Peggy's body is attacking her cartilage, which is the body's scaffolding. She gets a biopsy today to determine the extent of the damage so far, but she's had this for a few years already and it's closing in on her heart. Mindfulness truly helps you to accept what's happening and just be with it. I'm going to start her in on this, too, so she can accept the moments she has left. The diagnosis has already had a positive affect on her, as she's loosened up her death grip on life. Average life expectancy is max. 10 years, so we'll see how much longer she has. I'll let you know.
The kids are coping well enough with the news, but I don't think any of us truly understand the extent yet. All we know is what's on the internet, which doesn't look good. As the Germans say, "Mal sehen," meaning, We'll see.
Muss es sein? Ja, es muss sein.
Take it easy, keep your head down, stay humble, remember your yessir and nosir for the guards. Keep on the rehab and we'll see you on the outside! Cause I love ya, cause you're my best friend in the world...
It sounds like something deep in ur subconscious that is constructing these images as a metaphor for well I can't really comment on it on that deep of a level yet but maybe it is a good idea to analyze it.
frances, i don't think you should surrender to everything that happens in your life. a person should surrender his/her life to God. a lot of other things we should stand firm against. sometimes God will throw things in your path FOR you to stand firm against. the great apostle Paul stated "I have fought the good fight". you should know that as christians, everyday we are in a spiritual battle. so, put on the whole armor of God. keep writting and be blessed.........james
Sending pictures of the kids soon. Sorry that I haven't written. Checking out the telephone company to see why my number is blocked. Mom just told me about the blog. I will try to comment on your thoughts later.
Dear Terra, I was so pleased to read about the response you had to watching Stonewall Uprising on PBS. I just happen to work for the station that broadcasts the show American Experience. My job was to find people who are out there fighting the good fight and invite them to make videos about their LGBTQ activism stories.
We heard from people in New York and LA, of course, but we also received video stories from people in Illinois, Utah, Missouri and Alabama, to name a few.
Like you, I was surprised to learn from the film about the systematic ways in which homosexual and transgender folks were suppressed from expressing themselves. From the messages and videos I received in response to my invitation, I learned a lot about military, financial and family issues still a problem in the gay community, and about the ongoing struggles of transgenders and the lack of support they feel.
One of the films that won our video contest (our judges included Dan Savage and Cyndi Lauper), was about a beautiful girl named Johanna. Her mother was shocked the first time Johanna put on lipstick & a dress, and she took Johanna to many counselors. She is trying to deal with it, but seems just resigned to Jonhanna turning 18. Not exactly supportive. But Johanna will be ok. There are shots in the film of her modeling. Hormone therapy has given her awesome skin. The video shows how strong she is. Hopefully the mom will find it in her heart to be proud.
You are doing great to start a group, and the softball team is a fantastic idea. (I used to play in a public radio league and loved it.) Keep up the great energy, and take heart. I met hundreds of people online who are doing your kind of activism. I hope it encourages you to know that.
All the best,
Annie
PS: because your letter is online, I was able to share it with the producers I know who work in public media. I'm sure they will appreciate knowing your response to the film.
RSS
I'm listening to the audio files you sent me from Kabat-Zinn. His guidance helps me on the path. Just found out Peggy has a very rare disease called polychondritis. Her auto-immune disorder triggered this response from a very serious infection she got in 2005 that almost had her number. Trauma sends the immune system into overdrive and it seeks a form to manifest itself. Carter has it, too, but a sunburn triggered his vitiligo. So, his body attacks his skin pigment, causing the white patches, making him vulnerable to skin cancer. Peggy's body is attacking her cartilage, which is the body's scaffolding. She gets a biopsy today to determine the extent of the damage so far, but she's had this for a few years already and it's closing in on her heart. Mindfulness truly helps you to accept what's happening and just be with it. I'm going to start her in on this, too, so she can accept the moments she has left. The diagnosis has already had a positive affect on her, as she's loosened up her death grip on life. Average life expectancy is max. 10 years, so we'll see how much longer she has. I'll let you know.
The kids are coping well enough with the news, but I don't think any of us truly understand the extent yet. All we know is what's on the internet, which doesn't look good. As the Germans say, "Mal sehen," meaning, We'll see.
Muss es sein? Ja, es muss sein.
Take it easy, keep your head down, stay humble, remember your yessir and nosir for the guards. Keep on the rehab and we'll see you on the outside! Cause I love ya, cause you're my best friend in the world...
Donn Ho
I was so pleased to read about the response you had to watching Stonewall Uprising on PBS. I just happen to work for the station that broadcasts the show American Experience. My job was to find people who are out there fighting the good fight and invite them to make videos about their LGBTQ activism stories.
We heard from people in New York and LA, of course, but we also received video stories from people in Illinois, Utah, Missouri and Alabama, to name a few.
Like you, I was surprised to learn from the film about the systematic ways in which homosexual and transgender folks were suppressed from expressing themselves. From the messages and videos I received in response to my invitation, I learned a lot about military, financial and family issues still a problem in the gay community, and about the ongoing struggles of transgenders and the lack of support they feel.
One of the films that won our video contest (our judges included Dan Savage and Cyndi Lauper), was about a beautiful girl named Johanna. Her mother was shocked the first time Johanna put on lipstick & a dress, and she took Johanna to many counselors. She is trying to deal with it, but seems just resigned to Jonhanna turning 18. Not exactly supportive. But Johanna will be ok. There are shots in the film of her modeling. Hormone therapy has given her awesome skin. The video shows how strong she is. Hopefully the mom will find it in her heart to be proud.
You are doing great to start a group, and the softball team is a fantastic idea. (I used to play in a public radio league and loved it.) Keep up the great energy, and take heart. I met hundreds of people online who are doing your kind of activism. I hope it encourages you to know that.
All the best,
Annie
PS: because your letter is online, I was able to share it with the producers I know who work in public media. I'm sure they will appreciate knowing your response to the film.