Eternally Grateful

On January 15, 2016, I challenged myself to write about being grateful over 100 days, which I will be posting weekly. 

These few days have been difficult.  Today, I woke up for the very first time without my mom. Our journey together has changed but has not ended. My heart is heavy and I am eternally grateful that we had many wonderful years together. She is my heart and will live on in me.  

Day 22 

I am grateful to wake up to visitors, but when I opened the door they ran away. 

Day 23 

I am grateful for my friends and the crossover from virtual friends to face to face. Yesterday, I decided to spontaneously contact one of my friends to invite her to get together with me over coffee.  I have been reading her status updates on facebook and thought, we both live in the same city, have not seen each other in years so why not get together in “real life”.  We need to get out of the virtual world and connect in person now and then.   I am glad I did.

I was surprised that she responded quickly and we met up for a lovely lunch. She is an awesome lady who is taking care of her mom who has dementia.  I admire her commitment and dedication to her mom.  She is in service to her mom and she does it with humor and filled with so much compassion. 

 She will chronicle with humor the delicate balance the caring for a person with dementia.  This is her blog, and if you follow it you will be entertained. 

Day 24 

I am grateful for the knowledge and ability to make my own cold press juice and mylk.  These are not only is a healthy alternative but it taste delicious.  I made carrot juice, beet juice, and cashew mylk. 

• Carrot Juice (Beta-carotene, bones, eyes, blood This will help with muscle cramps and insomnia)

         7 or 8 carrots, 2 granny smith, apples ½ inch ginger, celery

• Beet Juice  (excellent for liver and digestive system)

           4 beets, 2 granny smith apples, 1 carrots  

• Cashew Mylk (heart, reduce triglyceride levels in diabetic

         1 cup of cashews (soaked 1 hour) 4 cups of water, 5 dates,               vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander seeds, flax seeds,                 black pepper 

Day 24 

My heart is filled with gratitude for my cousin Lorraine who frequently entertains us with her cat Sylvester’s antics.  Sylvester is overwhelmingly charming and never a dull moment. Besides, who won’t want to join him for a cuppa tea. 

Too often social media is filled with considerable negativity that it is a relief when I see Lorraine has updated her status because I know it would contain some comic relief.  

I love you Lorraine and appreciate your sense of humour.  

Day 25 

When it is cold outside I find it more difficult to maintain a diet of raw food.  Fortunately, I enjoy making homemade soups.  My main ingredients are most often to add ginger and turmeric. 

These spices are my go to for almost everything.  I put them into smoothies and in my green juices. They are warming and anti-inflammatory.  It has been used in Chinese and Indian folk medicine for over 4,000 years to treat a variety of ailments.  Recently, it is being recognized by Western medicine.

I am grateful for the many people who impart their knowledge to me.  

Day 26 

I am grateful to be living in the country. 

More importantly, I am grateful to notice interesting things on my drive into Kanata or coming home.  What do you see when you look outside of yourself?

We have a number of artists living in the area but I don’t often get to see them on the side of the road painting in the winter. But I see this man at this spot now and then.  I wonder, will he be surprise if stop and give him this picture next time I see him. 

Day 27 

Today and everyday, I am grateful for my mom. My mom is the strongest person I know with the greatest capacity for love.  Her teachings will always be part of my DNA. 

She is part of me, and I am part of her, together we are one. 

I wrote this blog post sometime ago and some of you have read it before. 

Day 28 

Therese Deranger 1919-2016 

I am grateful to have on my life’s journey family and friends who support and respect me.  People who really “like” and “get me”.  Not their perception of who they think I am, or who I should be. 

As events unfold in the days or weeks to come, I will remain strong.  My beautiful mom died, February 12, 2016. 

I will accept into my very being all my mom’s courage, strength, wisdom, and love. My journey with my mom is changing, but she is very much part of the fabric of my being.  She will always be a part of me.  She is me, and I am her.  Together, we will continue our journey albeit in new way, one that I accept will not be easy.  Her medicine will be strong in me and will guide me forward.