Many of us have faced our own personal hurdles in our lives, each one maybe more challenging than the next. It can be from our world or within ourselves. No matter which, it can make you strong to overcome it or weak and just give in.
In my family, we have had many examples of triumph over some momentous physical limitations. My brother's friend became like an adopted brother to us girls. He and my brother became "Best Buds" in second grade. When he met his new found brother, my brother discovered that his buddy was missing an arm and had to use a hook for a substitute. We all grew used to it and after a while we paid no attention to it because his personality was one , made you look past it.
When he was two, his father took Todd for a ride on the riding mower while he was cutting the grass. Todd fell off and his father accidentally ran over his child's arm, severing it, sealing Todd's courageous spirit to never look at it as a disability. In school, he ran track and played in band. As an adult he went into photography, bicycling, carpentry and drove a charter bus. Today he and his wife own a franchise of lemonade stands, which he makes himself. Going to public events to sell these amazing drinks with his wife.
My brother has had his burden to carry, he is almost legally blind in one eye, earned his degree and has repaired dental equipment for over twenty years. Not an easy task, he travels over the state to different dental offices to repair equipment sometimes re-wiring the office in the process. He also has re-modeled houses and still works on cars.
Me, well I would never place myself in the same category as my brothers, they are truly remarkable and amazing men. As a little sister to these two, I have looked up to them and marveled at their accomplishments I have had some issues, I have had to contend with, maybe more than I care to admit. The older I get, the more aware I have become of them.
Besides Depression and Anxiety , from a very young age, my eyes have been different. A lazy eye on my right, has caused me to not have depth perception. I only use one of my eyes at a time because my brain has practiced switching between them since I was little. Even if I had surgery to correct this cosmetic flaw, it wouldn't make a difference in my sight. I still do my artwork and wonder at times how I ever complete the projects.
My hearing loss has increasingly become worse, not only with age but has plagued me since birth, explaining so much of my woes in school and in my jobs over the years and yet love to sing, listening to the notes to stay on pitch. I think in my memory I know what it has sounded like.
Through all of this, I have raised my kids alone since my husband's death. Still, I don't call myself amazing, I look at it as my responsibility and what I always need to improve on. Courageousness lies in our hearts, strength and love comes from our creator; blessings shine through those around us enriching our lives to become better people.
I like to place at the end of this blog, Credit to the one person who has helped me through many rough spots in my life. My mother, never gets credit for all the love she has shown me. When my husband was ill and passed away, my mom stayed with me. When I went through "Zoloft" withdraw when I foolishly went off of it, my mom stayed with me, keeping me focused and reminding me, that I was a wonderful person and mother, loving and kind, even though I couldn't see it. Without her support, I probably wouldn't have had the strength to get up in the morning. Blessings have come to me through her and so many who had encouraged me along the way, especially the man that lives in Amesbury, MA, I always speak of him here. Their love, I never forget! I love them all! They Too are truly amazing and remarkable people!
THANK YOU
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