The itch that upset Christmas
And so it was, after freewheeling through airports, flying, train-hopping, and suitcase-dragging on the way to my family, I began coughing in a deafening, barking manner that made people worried my lungs might jump out of my throat.
The paradox of our time
Is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers. Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but we have less. We buy more but enjoy it less. We have bigger houses, but smaller families. More conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees, but less sense. More knowledge, but less judgement. More experts, yet more problems. We have more gadgets, but less satisfaction. More medicines, but less wellness. We take more vitamins but see fewer results. We drink too much; smoke too much; spend too recklessly; laugh too little; drive too fast; get too angry quickly; stay up too late; get up too tired; read too seldom; watch TV too much and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions but reduced our values. We fly in faster planes…
Christmas… rescheduled!
Sometimes life just throws tantrums and curveballs because of your illness – missing out on Christmas with my nieces and uncle at the very last minute is just one of those moments. But then you realise that your family’s love, acceptance and support will keep you going long after the Christmas holidays, no matter what. Instead of Father Christmas giving you presents, they want him to take away your sorrow. They know that Christmas can’t be bought in a store, but instead is given in invisible mountains of love. They feel your anguish and wished they could take your physical pain from you. They root for you, uplift you and guide you. You feel empowered by them being there, even when divided by country borders. You know they believe you,…
How to wrap friendship
Friends reply less when words fall between the cracks of self-censorship. When they decide to stay away, it’s up to us to never think any less of the friends who stay away. I consider it a justified reaction. I’m also on the other side of the scale where I chose to stay away from certain people because of their words.
#FestifyMS Christmas appeal
"If you’re in Ireland, text Festify to 50300 to donate €4 for Christmas. If you want to give a larger amount if you are living abroad, you can go to http://ms-society.ie/pages/donate to donate any amount you wish to the society. A lifetime membership costs €50 ($67 or £40), and ensures much-needed services to people with MS can be retained or improved."
Christmas!
© Willeke Van Eeckhoutte and Ireland, Multiple Sclerosis & Me, 2011-2012. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Willeke Van Eeckhoutte and Ireland, Multiple Sclerosis & Me with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Two more awards!
With all the Christmas hustle and bustle, I forgot I was chosen for two WordPress blog awards, given by other WP bloggers! A sheen of Flowers and Breezes told me four days ago about the awards, so apologies for the late reply and nominations. I want to thank Sheen for being such a great blogger and nice commentator, Sheen is still grieving the loss of her husband and spends time between Pakistan and the US. Please do visit her blog, the link is mentioned in the above paragraph. The Versatile Blogger Award and the Dragon’s Loyalty Award share the same way of forwarding and awards so I will combine both here. Each person I nominated, therefore, get both awards. I looked up some of the meaning and rules of the…
