My Success Enabler

Ever since I can remember I’ve always needed help to do things. Having been born with SMA, a motor neuron disorder, I never walked and could not do the things one does for oneself. My mother, like most mothers, was my caregiver from day one. As a baby she fed me and bathed me and changed my diapers. She carried me around or pushed me in the baby stroller. I never crawled and I never walked. When I became too big for the baby stroller she pushed me around in a child sized wheelchair.

As I went to grade school she continued to do all the things for me I could not do for myself. I succeeded in school despite the challenges of my physical limitations and those limitations placed on me by ignorant people. My mother enabled me to succeed because she made it possible for me to go to school every day, to play games with the neighbor kids, and to be a functioning member of the community.

Not only did my mother care for me, she also taught me about Jesus and showed me what it means to be a follower of Christ. Her faith in and love of God gave her the grace to care for me.

I graduated high school and went on to college where I earned a bachelors and masters degree. I could not have done any of those things without the daily help of my mother. I thank God for her! Yes, there were other people in my life who also enabled my success, but my mother was the one who took on the task of my daily care. She did it for 34 years. This Mother’s Day I want to acknowledge her as the best mother ever!

Get to know my mother, a talented and award-winning artist, through her blog.

Merry Christmas

Okay, so Christmas was a few days ago. We had a very quiet Christmas this year – just me and Norm. Neither of us bothered to buy a gift for the other one because we’re both too lazy to go shopping. We went to church in the morning and then had a late lunch at Ruby Tuesday’s with Norm’s brother. The rest of the day we watched movies on TV. It was nice not to be in the hospital this year for Christmas.

I missed my family and playing games. Oh well, maybe next year?

Love Discounts

One of my cousins has announced that she’s getting married.  I’m happy for her and yet I know that she’s going to be under a lot of stress with all the decisions that one has to make regarding the wedding ceremony.  Choosing a date, finding a venue and deciding upon bridesmaids and groomsmen are just a few of the things one has to consider.  Recently I ran across discount bridesmaid dresses, so I want to make sure I remind her of that.  Weddings can get quite expensive if you’re not careful with the budget, so it’s always good to save a little bit of money here and there.

Farewell Grandma

My paternal grandma passed away Thursday morning.   She was 90 years old and was the last living grandparent I had.   Today my family will gather in San Diego for a memorial service.   Due to circumstances of my life I will not be able to join them.   I want to share my eulogy with you.

My mind is full of so many memories of my paternal grandma and my grandpa.   Grandpa passed away 11 years ago and when he left to go to heaven a part of my grandma did too.   She couldn’t imagine life without him and it took her a long time to grieve.   She was blessed to have her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren around her so there were others to go on living this life for.

My grandma was a creative person who loved making things and telling stories and teaching her skills to others.   She was a very practical helper and would willingly give to those around her in need.   Her greatest gift was to tell others about Jesus.   It was something she and my grandpa spent their lives doing.   They dedicated 27 years of their lives to sharing the gospel with Native American Indians from the West Coast to the East Coast and every state in between.

Grandma loved all Native American Indian people especially the Navajos and the Apaches.   She spent many years on their reservations and learned beading from them.   Her turquoise jewelry and handmade beaded necklaces were prized possessions because they were gifts from dear friends.

My love of Arizona came from my grandma.   She was never a resident of Arizona but she spent many years visiting here and when I was a child she gave Arizona Highways magazine subscriptions to each of her children’s families.   I always looked forward to receiving that magazine in the mail and never imagined that one day I would live here.

I miss all of my grandparents and I was so blessed to have such a rich godly heritage that started with them.   I look forward to the day when we will all be reunited in heaven!

The Family Guy

I miss my little brother!   He lives in San Diego and I live in Scottsdale so we don’t see each other very often.   He is a busy guy with a family of three girls and a beautiful wife to look after.   I’m proud of him because he’s a good husband and a good father.   He works long hours and takes courses through an online university to get his bachelor’s degree.   He’s also quite involved with church and community.   When he isn’t working or spending time with his wife for young daughters, he’s working on his homework assignments from the online university.   I think that’s the hardest thing about growing up – not really having your extended family around and everyone being too busy.   Oh well.

Thinking Ahead

This year I’ve decided to start thinking ahead in regards to my nieces birthdays.   Since I haven’t seen them for over a year and I don’t live near them, it’s hard to know what gifts to give for their birthdays.   I’m always afraid that I’ll buy something they already have or the gift I choose will be inappropriate for their age.   It would be horrible to receive a gift from your aunt that is intended for someone much younger.   Six-year-olds don’t want to receive gifts that are designed for four and five-year-olds.   I’ve made that mistake before and I won’t do it again.   I know that they enjoy outdoor sports like volleyball and basketball, as well as indoor sports like playing on the Wii.   Oh, that gives me an idea…   wii accessories.   Since I don’t know much about them, I’ll need to do some research.   Google, here I come…