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"Quality of life"......a gift that just keeps on giving.
The 2020 Holidays are over. What was your favorite gift? Was one of your gifts what I call a “quality of life” gift? Was it a new special pillow that made you sleep better? Perhaps you were given something that made your life a little easier like new shoes with a softer sole. Or maybe your family gave you a Mayo gift like the Pain course or a Habit workshop?
It’s never too late to think of and thank yourself for your endurance, generosity, and kindness to yourself. And these may be things that you have never mentioned because you didn’t want to be a burden or a nuisance or appear to be selfish.
I went crazy this year and got three of my quality of life gifts. I’ll share them with you and hope you realize how very important they were and are to me.
1. My MFR therapist began to feel that one session a week was not sufficient. So, we set up a six week trial of 2 sessions per week. The difference in tolerance was amazing. I didn’t have to endure increasing discomfort for 7 days….just 3. And so….gift #1. When I let my family know they found a way to help with the additional cost called a “stocking stuffer”.
2. For over a year I have been noticing more and more pain in my hip. Several years ago, I had an injection which was done poorly and so I wasn’t too excited about trying again. This time I had a chat with myself. “Why, Chris, are you going through increasing pain when there is a solution?” So I gathered my strong determination, had the injection, and am just jumping for joy. And my insurance covered it. Great…..another quality of life gift received and appreciated.
3. My 2021 quality of life gift brigade begins tomorrow when I have my preliminary appointment to fix my arthritic thumb. I can no longer open a jar or turn a key in the door lock. Seven years ago I had anchovy surgery on the left thumb. It is perfect. Now, why have I let the other one reach such a painful stage? I really don’t like surgery but this one is relatively doable and I won’t need too much help at home.
So Happy Holidays to me.
And thank you friends and family who shouted encouragement and helped support my wishes for a few things that just needed to get done.
What items would qualify for your quality of life? Let’s all share and help each other develop our 2021 list of can dos and must-dos.
Be happy and content in 2021.
Chris
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The Eagle Center in Wabasha gets my vote as your best option this year. I found it fascinating. It is interesting and disturbing to learn how each eagle arrived, how their differences in food and behavior came to be and can be observed. Enjoy...Chris
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5 ReactionsI had a friend who volunteered there for years and I’ve always wanted to go there. Moved up on my bucket list now.
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2 ReactionsGreat story, @ess77. Thanks for the smile!
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3 ReactionsThis is a permanent QOL gift in our family. family Every year (except 2020) we pay for full senior memberships in the local history & science museums as well as a State Park annual permit. These allow us unlimited visits, accompanied by 2 adults and all grandchildren. When friends visit, we have our choice of a couple of dozen interesting places to visit, without asking them to pay admission. Or we can take the grands, and not be upset if we need to leave after only an hour due to a "meltdown" because we can always go back. A bonus is that our memberships are recognized by hundreds of sites around the country, giving us free or discounted admission. We have made side trips to countless interesting places since we retired. Can't wait to feel safe doing it again!
Sue
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7 ReactionsMethinks it is time for the reveal. I have always wondered if artists don't change their style or try new mediums. You may remember that Monet was losing his eyesight. And so his subject matter went from a huge landscape to creating huge flowers in his garden. As we evolve and age....how does our artwork or craft reflect our healthy place in life? And then there was Van Gogh. His length and positioning of his brushstrokes changed when he was having a psychological episode.
For those of you who selected the two architectural images.....they are pastels that Jay made when he arrived at his dorm room 50 years ago and realized that there was nothing on the walls of his room. That of course means that the figure is an acrylic piece that he did in 2015. He took an expressive art class at Idyllwild Art Academy from a young man with way too many earrings in his nose and ears. However, he found something in Jay and helped him to just let go.
The acrylic painting is called "LOST". Legitimate title. He had to miss the 2nd day of class and told me he was just lost after missing a day. I can see that he may have felt lost and I can see that a fascinating new style has evolved.
Many of you are rediscovering creative talents and expressing an interest in going back to knitting or crocheting but in a
different way. We have also annotated ways in which our styles have changed or are headed to a class or "talent group".to learn new skills and materials.
What you have proven to me is that you can increase your physical and mental well-being through creativity and a purpose to want to add quality to your life..
May you have happiness and the causes of happiness.
Chris
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8 ReactionsOh, @woogie, you make me laugh because I can relate! I managed to stay in the church and school choirs but more for the body count than voice quality! Have said for yrs that maybe in the "next life" I'll be given voice quality and painting skills. Pretty sure I was chosen cheerleader in a younger life not for ability but because I had a voice that "carried". Smiles
And while it is very true that we are not all created equally in "making a joyful noise" vbg, we each have contributions and gifts that can bring some happiness to others and you just proved that with your humorous post! Thx for my first smile of the day!
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3 Reactions@johnbishop, I love watching bald eagles in particular and am like you in finding calm and solace in just being out in nature.
When my daughter asked me what I'd do first after getting the 2nd vacc, I told her I'd already decided that my first stop would be inside my favorite market street grocery! Haven't been inside since early March and may spend the day just wandering the aisles and basking at products I can't get with home delivery.
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4 Reactions@lioness, How did your first Covid vacc go? Any later soreness or other reaction to it?
An older friend called yesterday to say how well his 1st vacc went at our large civic center. Maybe 200 patients at that time and at least 20 different stations set up and the process moved very smoothly throughout. He was given a date for his 2nd vacc but was told that he'd be called for the time because they would wait to see if enough vacc was available.
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4 Reactions@ess77, Laughing because it sounds so much lke the size small knitted bedjacket I made for my hubby's very large grandmother! Gotta grab our smiles whenever we can so thanks..I can relate!
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4 ReactionsHello, everyone. Report on my 2nd shot.
YUCK! Had 2nd vaccine at MAYO last Tues. I had no reaction to the 1st vaccination. Nothing. Must say, I was a bit smug about the whole thing. Well, after this 2nd shot in the morning, I had looooooong, difficult MRI, 2.5 hours, then home. It was a tough drive as I was really tired. And, I was beginning to experience the vaccine side effects, every one of the possible non-dangerous reactions!
I always hurt, but this was ridiculous. My entire body ached and hurt....bones, muscles, joints, I developed a low grade temp for about 12 hours, Slept fitfully that night....went to bed at 5:30 in the afternoon. Nothing to eat....drank an Atkins Smoothie for nutrition, diet coke to help settle tummy. I was up and down, moved around the bed a lot, couldn't get comfy and was hot....up at 8:00, another smoothie, rested in recliner, drank water, took Tylenol, CBD:THC for pain and anxiety. Also, during night used Volteran gel on back, legs, hands.....it helped.
I was pretty miserable all night and most of the day. Then, took a couple of hours to rest in bed and began sweating profusely....fever gone!
After that, I began coming back to life, pain subsided, headache diminished, even my left arm stopped aching. I was in misery, serious pain and discomfort fort about 18 hours. Then, the switch clicked on and I was just fine.
Worth it for whatever antibodies and protection I got? Absolutely! Now, I actually breath easier, a bit more relaxed and very pleased i have some covid19 protection. Just don't be surprised and get prepared to POSSIBLY have some reactions, but they are temporary.
Feels good, folks. May you get your shot, produce lots of antibodies and protection and we can soon move forward with our lives.
We are strong. Our country is strong. Lets remind ourselves of that, stiffen our backs and lift our heads to face our brave new world. We can do this....Blessings to us all!
elizabeth
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