I think the most difficult times in life often trigger the greatest measures of joy. In fact, it’s hard to imagine joy without challenges. How do you know something is truly good unless you first know something is bad? How do you truly appreciate a blessing unless you first feel the weight of a trial? …
Death Becomes Her
Fore-Warning: This is an honest and slightly morbid discussion about death. If this topic is uncomfortable for you, stop reading now. I get real here and I know it can be hard to discuss. So we never talk about it. It’s scary to talk about it. It’s sad to talk about it. But we need…
This is a tick
This little black dot is a tick. It’s tiny and it seems harmless. But it is one of the most infectious creatures on the planet - especially at this size and even smaller. This specific tick was found on my black dog - along with several others - after we stopped along the side of…
In our weakness, He is strong
I am laying here in bed, having completed 2 IV treatments this morning, feeling sick to my stomach and weak as can be. Recent events have caused a burden of stress that is wreaking havoc on my system. I’ve been in bed for 3 weeks. Exhausted from the pain that cripples me day and night. …
Good days I’m ok. Bad days I’m ok.
Living with pain every day wears you down. Over time, it can break your spirit and make life unbearable. I spoke with a woman the other day who shared with me that she sometimes considers suicide. She suffers so much and is not getting a lot of help from her doctors. She is trying to…
New Amsterdam
The most recent episode of New Amsterdam had a patient in the ER with headaches. The doctor spent hours with this woman and finally diagnosed her with Lyme disease. The head of the ER was upset the doctor spent so much time with one patient - she told him there are over 300,000 cases a…
Christmas
Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love the colors and lights and the feeling of magic and joy that come with beautiful decorations and music filling my home. It can also be a reminder of all the things I can’t do and all the ways I cant share those feelings with my…
The Part of Me You Never See
I haven't kept up on my posts here - largely because life has been so overwhelming that my brain hasn't been able to function well enough to do more than very basic tasks. Most people only see me when I am out of the house and have showered and brushed my hair and maybe put…
Terrible, Horrible, No-Good Very Bad Days
The other night, my family and I watched the movie "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-good, Very Bad Day". It's a story of a boy who can't seem to catch a break. Everything he does, everywhere he goes, things just don't turn out for the good. His family on the other hand, seem to…
Anniversaries
Every year, certain dates stand out as being particularly special, my kids birthdays, our anniversary, the day my husband asked me to marry him, Christmas - all special days that bring happy memories to the forefront of my mind. July 10, while not necessarily a happy day, was a pivotal day in my history. I…
PhilippiJoy 