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WHOO! I did it! I had to fight my sleep inducing meds to do it, but I made it!

I wanted to also share a little story, because I think that it was encouraging to me, maybe it will be to someone else.
So, this evening, my family and I went to the nearby camping area for a swim in the lake (it's free entrance and parking after 6pm). Just as we roll in, I have a seizure in the car, a small one, which is actually good, because it means I am less likely to have another one in the water once it's more or less out of my system. But, still, it tends to make me feel kind of bleh. But, we're there, so my family waddles up to the beach, and it's mostly empty. Things have been going really well with Covid lately, with very few cases, and things have more or less gone back to normal. Even then, since it was so late in the day, there was only one other family there. I go and get in the water, swim around a bit, and then just as I'm planning to get out...I hear a little spluttering noise beside me.

I look, and it's a little girl with goggles on, just coming up from being underwater. Her eyes lit up when I looked at her, and she beamed and said hello. And...good heavens, it's been so long. Most of you know I love to chat with people, regardless of age, or background, or anything. I'm like that in person. And...it's just been so long that I was able to be near another person outside of family and friends that didn't look on me in fear, because of Covid. And this little girl looks up at me and holds up a little rock she found, giving it to me as a gift, then asking if I would play Marco Polo with her. It was like falling back into a familiar comfort. I love kids, so much, and for whatever reason they're always drawn to me. First it was just the two of us playing, then my sister joined in, then the little girl's brother and two sisters. We played until the sun started down and my parents called from the shore that it was time to go. And that little girl, who couldn't have been much older than 8, looks up at me with big brown eyes, and then lurches forward and wraps her little arms around my middle...and hugs me.

I almost cried right then and there. I never realized how much something like that can mean, after a year like we've all had. And you can bet I hugged that little girl back just as tightly. I told her maybe I'd see her tomorrow if I don't have to work late. I got out and dried off, but even from the shore I could hear her call, "I'd ask for your phone number, but I don't have a phone!" Then, turning to her sister, "I wish she could stay longer, she's a very good friend." And I just...My heart melted.

I share this story because...it's been a scary and painful year for all of us. Loss, fear, grief, uncertainty, despair, and loneliness have haunted us, and even as things slowly start getting better the trauma of it will doubtless stick with us for a while. But things ARE going to get better. It's already started. In some areas it will take longer, and for some of us it will be harder to gather the courage to face the world again. But...this little girl looked at me like people looked at me before the pandemic. She made me feel like I used to feel. She hugged me without a flinch or second thought. She was the very embodiment of hope.

There is hope. And though we might feel like life's a bit like Marco Polo right now, us stumbling around with our eyes closed, calling out and hoping someone will answer...we have the power to make a difference. Whether that be a smile, a little pebble as a gift, or a sincere hug. It could mean the world to someone. It could mean the world to you.

BUT ENOUGH BLATHERING! Enjoy the page, and have a very good night!

COVER BACK NEXT

Description
WHOO! I did it! I had to fight my sleep inducing meds to do it, but I made it!

I wanted to also share a little story, because I think that it was encouraging to me, maybe it will be to someone else.
So, this evening, my family and I went to the nearby camping area for a swim in the lake (it's free entrance and parking after 6pm). Just as we roll in, I have a seizure in the car, a small one, which is actually good, because it means I am less likely to have another one in the water once it's more or less out of my system. But, still, it tends to make me feel kind of bleh. But, we're there, so my family waddles up to the beach, and it's mostly empty. Things have been going really well with Covid lately, with very few cases, and things have more or less gone back to normal. Even then, since it was so late in the day, there was only one other family there. I go and get in the water, swim around a bit, and then just as I'm planning to get out...I hear a little spluttering noise beside me.

I look, and it's a little girl with goggles on, just coming up from being underwater. Her eyes lit up when I looked at her, and she beamed and said hello. And...good heavens, it's been so long. Most of you know I love to chat with people, regardless of age, or background, or anything. I'm like that in person. And...it's just been so long that I was able to be near another person outside of family and friends that didn't look on me in fear, because of Covid. And this little girl looks up at me and holds up a little rock she found, giving it to me as a gift, then asking if I would play Marco Polo with her. It was like falling back into a familiar comfort. I love kids, so much, and for whatever reason they're always drawn to me. First it was just the two of us playing, then my sister joined in, then the little girl's brother and two sisters. We played until the sun started down and my parents called from the shore that it was time to go. And that little girl, who couldn't have been much older than 8, looks up at me with big brown eyes, and then lurches forward and wraps her little arms around my middle...and hugs me.

I almost cried right then and there. I never realized how much something like that can mean, after a year like we've all had. And you can bet I hugged that little girl back just as tightly. I told her maybe I'd see her tomorrow if I don't have to work late. I got out and dried off, but even from the shore I could hear her call, "I'd ask for your phone number, but I don't have a phone!" Then, turning to her sister, "I wish she could stay longer, she's a very good friend." And I just...My heart melted.

I share this story because...it's been a scary and painful year for all of us. Loss, fear, grief, uncertainty, despair, and loneliness have haunted us, and even as things slowly start getting better the trauma of it will doubtless stick with us for a while. But things ARE going to get better. It's already started. In some areas it will take longer, and for some of us it will be harder to gather the courage to face the world again. But...this little girl looked at me like people looked at me before the pandemic. She made me feel like I used to feel. She hugged me without a flinch or second thought. She was the very embodiment of hope.

There is hope. And though we might feel like life's a bit like Marco Polo right now, us stumbling around with our eyes closed, calling out and hoping someone will answer...we have the power to make a difference. Whether that be a smile, a little pebble as a gift, or a sincere hug. It could mean the world to someone. It could mean the world to you.

BUT ENOUGH BLATHERING! Enjoy the page, and have a very good night!

COVER BACK NEXT