It Makes Me Smile

I have one piece of jewelry that I never remove.  Ever.  It's this necklace....a Celtic Union pendant.  According to the nifty little paper that came with it, it symbolizes two individuals that overcome all obstacles to find each other.  I purchased two of these necklaces two years ago.  For those of you who have been paying attention that directly coincides with the time that Brooke and I first got back together.  Jen has long since threw Brooke's necklace away...but for some reason I can't bear to take mine off.  Seriously, it's been off for probably a total of two days since I got it...and that was due to my niece breaking the chain.  As I sit here typing, I'm trying to figure out if I'm being optimistic....or pathetic.  But either way the necklace makes me smile.  It reminds me of a happy time in my life.  And if that little paper was correct, just maybe, one day all of these crazy obstacles will be behind me us.  So for now I am going to continue to wear this pendant close to my heart and hope like hell that it's love, faith, and optimism rather than stupidity that's driving me.

It Makes Me Smile

This is going to be a slightly different version of the "It Makes Me Smile" series...before I talked about a physical possession...today I want to talk about my nephew.  Those of you who really know me, know that my nephew, Max, has a rare genetic disorder.  And when I say rare, I mean there have only been just over 30 confirmed cases.  He has a Carnitine-acylcarnitine translocase (CACT) deficiency.  He also has epileptic seizures, staph, and well the poor baby is just sick all the damn time.  Two days ago my sister in law and I were out and about with little Max, we were eating at On The Border and he had a seizure.  That was my first time witnessing one of his seizures...and it scared the hell out of me.  What really amazes me is that he is one of the happiest, most loving babies I've ever been around in my life.  I can't imagine how scary and painful everything he's going through is...and as a toddler you know he can't possibly understand what's going on with his little body.  But he's an inspiration to me...I mean he can still put a smile on that cute little face and cuddle and play and act "normal",  kinda makes me feel bad for all the bitching and whining and complaining that I do.  Maybe I should evalute my life and my attitude a little bit and be thankful that I'm healthy and try to keep a smile on my face to match his.

It Makes Me Smile

This morning I was annoyed and posted about a mean person.  This afternoon I think I should balance things a bit and post something about a nice person.  Earlier this week Tammie blogged about doing a series of posts about the little things in her life that make her happy and brighten her day.  I thought this was an excellent idea...so I stole it from her.  But don't worry, she said it was ok.

This is my "Worry Angel"...it's a worry stone with an angel inside.  I know the pic sucks...sorry.  But anyway, about six years ago I was in the hospital for several weeks.  I thought I was going to die...literally.  I was scared, confused, and pretty much alone.  I had many amazing people taking care of me, but one nurse in particular really stood out.  She was absolutely amazing...she would stay after her shift and sit and talk to me for hours...she helped ease some of my fears, she was comforting, she was funny, she brought me books & magazines, she was there for me.  She made one of the most difficult times in my life bearable.  I honestly don't know why she did everything she did for me.  But she is one of the kindest people I've ever met in my life. 
The day I was discharged from the hospital she came to see me, and gave me the worry angel.  There was a card that explained that my particular stone was the Hope Angel...and there was this poem:

Give your worries to the Angels

It is time to heal your heart.

Every day's a new beginning
Where love & hope can start.
Give your worries to the Angels
Release your doubt & fear.
Trust in God to always be there
With Angels always near.

 I was incredibly touched by this gesture and by her friendship.  Now this worry angel goes everywhere with me...it's always in my pocket, my purse, or in my car.  This little stone is one of my most prized possessions.  It reminds me of a difficult time in my past, and that I can survive a lot.  It reminds me of the most selfless person I've ever met, the kind of person I would like to be.  And it reminds me to strive to be the heroine of my story, not the victim.

She signed my card "from a nurse who cares".  I guess you can consider me a patient who is eternally grateful.