The Day I Heard "You have MS"

Many have asked me to write the story of how I heard those words, "You have MS".

I  had lost my vision in one eye, Optic Neuritis, which only lasted one week.  I noticed I was numb in one arm, earlier.  Thought nothing of it.  Strange but I was young!

Six months later, I had double vision and went numb on one side of my body.  Dad said, you have to go to Doctor, even if it is Thanksgiving weekend.  My parents took me to an eye Doctor, he told Dad, it looks like MS to him.

Dad got very upset but would not tell me.  I said it is my body, tell me!  When he said MS, I thought of Jerry Lewis' kids, which is Muscular Dystrophy?  It is confused a lot.

We went to my Aunt Rene's house.  I saw her bedridden,  from Rheumatoid Arthritis.  I started crying.  I thought I do not want to be bedridden.  The only time, I ever cried, that I remember.

I was young,  felt I will be fine.  The MS symptoms went away for several years after that.  There were no tests, 30 years ago, to be sure.  The tests they did do, showed "No Sign of MS".  I was thrilled, it had went away.  Thankfully, I have not had eye problems since.

Fortunately I have had a mild case of Multiple Sclerosis,  I guess.   I really do not remember much of a life without MS.   I call it one of life's challenges.

The Song of Life

                                 

                       Quietly, silently, in a hidden part,                                          

reaching down, deep inside, in the center of my heart,

lies a song, soft and sweet, like a gentle caress,

a kiss of the soul, bringing peace and happiness.

When the noise of the world and life’s sorrow intrude,

I need to retreat for some quiet solitude,

then the song of my soul, like a soothing lullaby,

spreads its warmth through my being with a soft, melodic sigh.

The song of my life from God’s heartbeat sweetly flows,

the serenity and beauty pulsing forth divinely shows

so much peace and perfect love, spreading joy and harmony,

revives and strengthens me to continue life’s journey.

©Connie Arnold,  2010

Sauerkraut of Dad's

Sauerkraut is the correct word for this kraut, my Dad canned. 

It was so beautiful and delicious looking, I just had to make a picture of it.

He and Mom would chop the cabbage and pack it in the jars.  After waiting awhile, it would be a great additive to beans, etc.

This is a strange thing to post about, but an important tradition of our family.  We are losing this tradition with the younger ones.   We buy it now.

Remember your family traditions and what made you, the person you are!

First Birthday Celebrations

This is a photo of how a first birthday cares about his cake and party.

We had so many celebrations of my nephews first birthday, we are all exhausted!  He is fine however.

He did not care that he had such a beautiful cake made by a friend!

Maybe we should have this attitude, innocent and being taken care of.

Sad Day for Me

 original post 4/23/10

Today is 5 years since Mom went to Heaven.  It is a sad day for her 5 girls and family.  I miss you Mom!! 

When I read this....it brought tears to my eyes again.  All that have lost a loved one will understand this......

"I wish Heaven had a phone so I could hear your voice again."

I do not want to be a sad post but cannot let this day go by without mentioning my Mom.