Tag Archives: overcomingchallenges

Dear Nickel

Posted on by under death, grief, relationships

Dear Nickel

I was on my way home from bowling with my grandson. Our song came on my playlist. This was your song to me when you would go to Alaska. It was my song to you when I was in San Francisco fighting cancer with that lunatic by my side. You begged me to come home but I didn’t. What was I thinking?! We had that stupid fight because the Seahawks beat the 49ers at Super Bowl lol. Yet I came home and we reconnected. Life happens. Sadly….We drifted apart again. We may have drifted but you never left my heart. Now you’re gone Forever. Like the song you truly are only in my dreams. I miss you so much. I always have. I look forward to the day we are reunited and we can be together again. Laughing at dumb stuff. Having a ball and loving each other in heavens time and not in our dreams. I cried all the way home tonight. I miss you. I love you and I always have but like our song now you are only in my dreams and I keep hoping I’ll awaken and you’ll be my side. But that’s not reality. All I know is you love me in my dreams. As for me, I’ll love you forever, I’ll love you for always, as long as I’m living my “nickel” you’ll be. 🥲 I miss you so much!

https://youtu.be/fHe9iA1G2AQ?si=GT-EIDWuTjaP4QwQ

The Piano That Attacked Me

Posted on by under injury, overcoming challenges

I made it to the gym. Not willingly. However, doctors orders! Literally. As those of you who know me, you are aware that on November 6th, 2021, for no reason at all, a piano fell on my leg shattering my fibula and breaking my tibia. A rod through my leg and 6 “Herman the Munster” bolts later, that I should mention protrude out of my ankles and leg lol it appears my leg is still broken. I met with my surgeon the other day and he reviewed my new x-rays. Sure as shit, my leg is still broken. He should me my X-ray from my initial accident. He asked me to look at the area that looked like shattered glass. I did. He said “that was your shattered bones!!

He asked me if I have been going to the gym to use a stationary bike. I said “no but I’ve been in the pool a lot”. Yikes that didn’t sit well with him. Geez give me a break. Lol. Well I mustered up the energy and got myself to the gym. Something about the doctor threatening I may require another surgery! What a meanie.

So Here I am on a stationary bike, listening to Journey and posting on Facebook. My mom asked where I was going as I left. I said I was heading to the gym in the hopes of losing 10 pounds and 14 inches in 30 minutes. Her reply. “Oh brother!” Lol. That poor woman is still putting up with my nonsense after all these years lol.

Any way send good vibes for a 30 minute miracle. As for the piano….well it’s still in my brothers basement. Know one can lift it. Damn the bad luck. If it was outdoors we could’ve used that evil thing for firewood lol. What can I say? Sometimes you just have to find the humor in the challenges we go through.

Hold On For One More Day 12-8-21

Posted on by under overcoming challenges

Good morning Friends. I hope you have the best day ever. I thought I’d dedicate this song today as our song for today. Chyna Phillips (daughter of the mamas and papas) wrote this song at a time in her life when she was challenged. Bad relationship, battling addiction etc. The lyrics were her reminder to “hold on for one more day” no matter the circumstances. I no at times we may find ourselves lonely. Maybe we are facing a challenging time right now. Maybe the chaos in this country is way too much to bare. I get that. I feel the same way at times and I too have my share of challenging times. With that said if only for today we are able to “Hold On For Just One More Day” who’s to say a miracle will happen. Things will shift and everything will turn around. In my experience, they always do. So why not give today a chance. Strap on your seatbelt and hold on…..just for today.

https://youtu.be/uIbXvaE39wM

Dear 2020 6-4-20

Posted on by under covid, COVID-19

Dear 2020:

You suck! January started with hopes of a fun new year. I was super excited. Then March rolled around. Shut downs, pandemics and quarantines have been absolutely draining. I have tried my best to adapt to the situation at hand. I’ve learned many things along the way. I’ve become an office helper. I’ll be honest, office work hasn’t been my gig but I’ve tried my best. I have become a hair colorist, a manicurist and pedicurist and most recently I’ve become a nurse learning to give my mom shots. I’m an errand girl, an Uber Driver and a Gardner. I admit it!!! I suck at it all. My memory loss has caused me to be a horrible office helper. And while I’m awesome at investigating doing nails is not my thing. I sanded my nails with a hand sander and now they won’t grow back. I’m afraid of needles so nursing has been a catastrophe and tonight when I colored my moms hair I quickly realized a hair stylist I am not. My moms neck and face were covered in hair dye. I think she might blow a popsicle stand when she sees herself in the mirror and I have to break the news. “No! These aren’t age spots!” Prayers greatly appreciated. 🙏🏻

Today is June 4th. It’s summer for goodness sakes. I want to travel. I want to go to the beach. I want to do lunch and I want to go dancing! At a club with tons of people. So 2020….Let’s make a deal. Let the hair and nails salons open, let office people return to work and let’s agree to allow the last six months of 2020 to get back to normal. I need a VACA ASAP!!

Coloring my hair
Uber Driver
Office Helper
Wearing a mask
I need a vaca!!!

Happy Anniversary To Me 4-20-20

Posted on by under overcoming challenges

Today is my sixth month anniversary. Six months ago, I was on my walk. It was Sunday. I was praying that day asking god to intercede in my life and help me to land on my feet again spiritually, emotionally and physically. I was so tired of the anxiety, depression, PTSD, a negative mindset as well as the constant fear and worry that had taken control of my life.

This coming May will be five years that I returned from San Francisco. I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve isolated myself in my room ever since. Life happens sometimes. Challenges arise, traumatic experiences happen. Health problems, relationship problems, job loss, finances…..Life as we knew it can change in a New York minute.

That Sunday, I made the decision to take my life back. I won’t bore you with the details. Some things are just meant to stay private. However, I will share I have been working diligently to take control of my mind, body and soul and spirit everyday. The result….I’m happy again. I love life again….and I’m grateful. I have a whole new perspective. I see the blessings in all things even at a time when we are all forced to be in isolation. I’m learning every day to create a better me. You too can create a better you the minute you decide to take control of your life. Good times will happen as will bad. Happy times will happen as will sad. It’s how we choose to react to every situation. Personally, I chose to react poorly.

Six months ago, I chose peace, love, serenity, joy, health, family, but more importantly life! I choose to live my life in a state of gratitude opposed to depression. It’s been six months ago today that I prayed asking God for help. He heard me that day because today is my anniversary and every day I find myself looking forward to the day as well as what the future will be that is right in front me. With any luck, the light that shines in my life will exude and shine brightly on those I encounter everyday. Life is good! It always was. I just failed to recognize it.

(Maui….my favorite place)

Expecting Something Wonderful 4-7-20

Posted on by under overcoming challenges

Several years ago I found myself faced with challenging times. I’ve shared my story many times and I’ve also shared how I went to mass one Sunday. My life was overwhelming. That Sunday Father Michael shared about a challenging day he had experienced that week. Everything was going wrong. Who knew? Even priests struggle. In any event Father Michael told the story of how he found himself overwhelmed, discouraged and feeling defeated when he opened a book and at the top of the page were the words “Something Wonderful Is About To happen”. Immediately he felt a sense of peace knowing that despite having a bad day, he was reminded that at any given moment “Something Wonderful
Was About To Happen”. He encouraged us to remind ourselves that even when the going gets tough, we have to be prepared for something wonderful to happen. God, the Universe or our Higher Power is always ready and willing to provide us with something wonderful. We just have to be open to receiving the good things even during stressful times.

I was so moved by his story, that when I got home that night I entered that reminder on my calendar to remind me of “something wonderful” throughout the day. It never fails, just when I’m ready to explode or even panic, I hear that reminder on my phone. Usually I’ll find myself looking up and seeing an awesome sunset, a beautiful flower or even witness an act of kindness. At times, I’ll get a call from my kids or grandkids and all that stinkin’ thinkin’, stress or fear fades away and is always replaced with something wonderful.

I’m sharing because times are hard for so many people right now. Fear, anxiety, boredom, financial difficulties and even illness are everywhere. However, if you take a moment to remind yourself “Something Wonderful Is About To Happen” you’ll be surprised to find something really will. Your prayer might not be answered for that specific thing but you will always witness something wonderful as long as you’re open to receiving it.

I am a lover of the outdoors so every day for me. even when the challenges are overwhelming, I get to experience something wonderful and I’m often inclined to capture that “something wonderful” in a photo on my phone. I share that blessing with others in the hope that just when you think you can’t take it anymore, you too will experience a wonderful sense of peace, if only for a brief moment.

So remember, next time you’re feeling overwhelmed take a time out and say “Something Wonderful Is About To Happen!” Trust me, something always will. Just be open to receiving it.

Stay In The Light 4-4-20

Posted on by under overcoming challenges

I woke up this morning. My hair looks like crap. I need a hair cut. Thank god for banana clips. My nails are in a desperate need of a fill and my toes have no business being seen in flip flops. I feel a little frumpy but honestly it really doesn’t bother me. The nation is in isolation. Our new fashion trend is a face mask and gloves as well as social distancing. So many people are facing a financial crisis. Depression and anxiety I’m sure have affected many people.

Here’s what I know. I always say “In A New York Minute, everything can change”. I say this because it happened to me. Five years ago I had cancer. I lost my health, my hair, my eyebrows, my eyelashes, eyebrows, fingernails, toenails and my dignity too. Life as I knew it changed forever. I have experienced financial difficulties since as well as depression, anxiety and I’ve battled PTSD too. The experience has made me a better person and has allowed me to really recognize what’s important. In other words, I’ve managed to survive. It hasn’t been easy but I’m still here to bother everyone with all my crazy posts, pictures and even voicing my opinion for the things I’m passionate about. Homeless, health, cancer….so many things.

I’m sharing because I know so many people are facing challenges right now. I’ve seen posts complaining about the lack of frivolous things. Posts about lack of work, money, fear etc. I want to encourage you to keep going. This to shall pass and trust me when this is all over you will become “A Better You”. All that stuff you thought was important will no longer be important anymore. Life, family and health will become priorities. If you’re struggling financially, you’ll learn to live frugally. I know this to be true. In the beginning of all this I was so scared. I’m still worried and fearful to a degree. My therapist reminded me that I’ve faced many of these challenges already and I’ve gotten through it. She’s right. My hair and nails are no longer important. I know how to live frugally but more importantly I know what’s important. Health, family and gratitude for what I do have.

I’ll be going on my walk shortly. The sun is shining, it’s a little brisk but I’m grateful. This song will be on my playlist reminding me that no matter the challenge, today is what I make it. I choose to make it a “Lovely Day”. I hope you will too. Sending love and light to everyone today. Stay strong and keep the faith. Today is a challenge but there’s always a light at the end of the tunnel and when you finally make it to the other side you become a better you and you look back and are reminded that everything you thought was important will not be as important anymore. Stay the course and recognize the blessings in what you do have right now. Stay in the light and send that light to others

The World I Know 2-28-20

Posted on by under overcoming challenges

I love this song. The meaning is so profound and so relatable to many including me. We’ve all been rock bottom at some point in our life. But it never fails. The sun shines once again in our life and we look back on the bad times and thank god we made it.

The music video depicts a businessman who begins to go about his day, reading The New York Times on the way to his office. As he reads about death, and sees the homelessness and sadness on the street, he becomes disillusioned with his life and prepares to commit suicide. As he climbs to the roof of a nearby building, he takes off his shoes and looks at the ground crying. He stretches out his arms and readies himself to fall.

However, just as he is about to fall, a pigeon lands on his arm. He feeds it with the bagel in his pocket, and the crumbs attract ants, which makes the man notice the similarities of them to the people walking below. He laughs throwing all his money at the people and pulls himself out of his state.

During the entire video, periodic cuts to singer Ed Roland looking on at the man while singing the song are shown.

The video also shows sadness and happiness in the form of color hues for the video. While the man is disillusioned with his life and is thinking about suicide, the video is in a blue and purple tint, giving a dark feeling to the video. When the pigeon lands on the man’s arm, the video’s hue changes to show the normal colors of the city, also revealing the sun shining over the city, showing of the sudden change to happiness and relief. – Wikipedia

Grief 2-2-20

Posted on by under grief

Grief is unbearable. Then it fades, only to come back at a moment’s notice. It catches you off guard. It sends you to bed. It sends you to dark places until, God willing, you get up and try again. – Maria Shriver