Perspective is central to what I’m — thus my blog’s — about as mine’s always been different tho’ I didn’t always know why. Your encouragement means the world to me since you know so well wherefore I speak. I raise my mug to your ‘luck’ &, even more so, your appreciation of it.

|_|) “Good friends are good for your health.” ~ Irwin Sarason, PhD

The world looks vastly different when one is in pain or fatigued. Good for you for speaking out and for sharing — I’ll think of you as I continue to sip on my café.

Consider yourself hugged right back.. I would love to meet you &, God-willing, that day WILL come as it’s already been such a blessing knowing you too.

|_|) “The I in illness is isolation, and the crucial letters in wellness are we.” ~ Mimi Guarneri, “The Heart Speaks”

*hugs* God grant that I get to meet you someday. You’re an amazing person to know. ^_^

While this is indeed one of the options we’re always watching for, we admittedly get a bit discouraged without transportation so your caring reminder to keep looking is a welcome one. Although the free wheelchair could come in quite handy at times, nothing supports a seemingly aged body more than staying ridiculously young at heart. As for your best, that’s about as damn good as it gets; I cannot thank you enough!

Dorian |_|) “Diseases of the soul are more dangerous and more numerous than those of the body.” ~ Cicero

Considering the source, this was already high praise &, having met Jerry now, all I can do is try to live up to his example.. I’ll keep hopping, Jerry, so long as you do too!

a humbly hopping human |_|) “If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience.” ~ Woodrow Wilson

As much as I enjoy them being shared, what really counts are the tho’ts themselves.. Loving ones all the more! Altho’ affected by it, I’m not defined by the physical; thanx for recognizing that. I’d rather continue to improve everything else that I am.

Dorian |_|) “The trouble with always trying to preserve the health of the body is that it is so difficult to do without destroying the health of the mind.” ~ G. K. Chesterton

I enjoy reading your posts and the intelligence, wit, and insight that abounds in them.

If there is ever ANYTHING I can do for you and Dave please don’t hesitate to ask. I will do what I can with little thought to consequence to myself.

Enjoy the day and I pray the sun shines on you always.

Your explanation of our vicious cycle & resulting struggle shows a very special understanding! In turn, I’m ever so glad my posts are giving something back; thanx for such a kind (& hopefully accurate) description.. As cliché as it sounds, I am trying to make a difference with each post.

It doesn’t surprise me that you’d give til it hurts. Although we’ve had to learn to accept what can be spared, may we never take what can’t. What’s amazing is how much even a little can do thus your generous offer does not fall on deaf ears blind eyes. You’ve already helped, in fact, as I’m finally considering adding a PayPal link in the sidebar despite my anti-commercialism.

a thankful friend |_|) “Today a new sun rises for me; everything lives, everything is animated, everything seems to speak to me of my passion, everything invites me to cherish it.” ~ Ninon de Lenclos

In spite of sounding both Canadian and blithe about your post, I am worried for you, and wish that there was something I could do to make it easier. One thing, I know, your hunny always just seems so loving. Let the naysayers, naysay I say.

Were we not such California kids, the temptation to head north over the border or east across the ocean (as our best friend lives in Scotland) would be stronger. It is still tempting to head out long enough to get a diagnosis but neither of you have very promising weather, you have weather.

I like your blitheness [carefree rather than uncaring] & your support here does make my life easier, if not its circumstances but we haven’t sorted that part yet ourselves. Right you are about my hunny; I like his blitheness too. Meanwhile, you’ve provided the new quote for my e-mail signature — hope you don’t mind?!

just a California girl |_|) “Let the naysayers, naysay I say.” ~ Lorna

I think that the formula for attaining any wanted condition or situation is to (1) accept where you are and find things to appreciate about it — which you clearly do — and (2) keep envisioning where you want to be and take delight in the savoring of those mental pictures.

And then (3) know that with every thought, you’re either moving a tiny bit towards what you want or away from it. NOW, let go of frustrations and hurts as best you can (I know you do this, too) and focus on what feels good when you think about it.

As I learned from a doctor who was on “Oprah” decades ago, “Every thought you think showers your body with chemicals.” I’ve played with that idea for years now, and I’ve never observed anything in my life or anyone else’s to contradict it.

I so admire the way you and Dave accept your own uniqueness and don’t try to change yourselves from being “square pegs” so you can fit into society’s “round holes.” As I’ve learned to give up on that uphill battle myself, I’m finding all sorts of strengths and talents I didn’t know I had when I was trying too hard to be “conventional,” whatever that means.

You have much to offer via your writing, and as you continue to share, I think you will thrive.

This is much needed & appreciated encouragement; especially what you already recognize in me.. While our approaches are different, our intentions are similar. One reason I freely express my frustrations & hurts is so nothing is harbored. My focus is always on possibilities which in itself feels good but, in order to work through things as they arise so there’s nothing left to haunt me later, I don’t avoid feeling bad.

You’ve described exactly who we want to be which is extremely heartening, just as the hope there’s more to my writing than exposition. I’m trying to honestly share what I’ve found to be real as greater truths have the farthest reaching ripples.

your grateful ex-neighbor |_|) “It’s always a struggle to go against the conventions of the society in which one is trying to live!” ~ Ma Mère

I kid I kid!! I kid because I LOVE!!!

Extrapolating, then, given the extent to which you tease; you love me very much indeed!

YOUR hunny |_|) “There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche