The last few visits I have had with my sister Joanne were quite interesting. She has had her surgery for gallstones. When my Mother and I looked at her, we could tell instantly there was something wrong. Joanne was lethargic, and not acting as her usual self. She did manage to get me into a rather good headlock hug, but otherwise, we could tell she was in pain. The infirmary staff dismissed our concerns, once again, because Jo does not show pain the same way that we do. She does not cry, nor make a sound. Difficult to read her, but once you have spent anytime with her, you just know. Maybe it's the mother in me, but I know my sis, and can read the discomfort.
It was not until a regular staff member saw Jo, that they decided to do something. Off for an X-ray, and then they discovered that her hip was broken. The assumption now is that it broke during the surgery, while they were moving her. So, long story short, Joanne has been suffering for several weeks. When they called the Kingston hospital to advise them they were coming, the emergency room advised those caring for my sister to wait, because she would not be taken care of for several hours, or possibly days. Now, there is a battle to determine which hospital will serve her. Ottawa or Kingston, we will find out tomorrow. Neither one wants to do it. Another night of pain for Jo, all because of her handicap. Let me ask this! What would you do if you broke a bone? Would you accept hearing " Don't come today, we are busy"?
My sister's story, unfortunately, is a common one. Hard to believe in this day and age, that there is stigma, and biases against certain medical conditions. Take mental health as an example. Every single one of us has been affected by some sort of mental health issues. Depression, mania, schizophrenia, anxiety, and the list goes on and on. It is something that we all pity, or minimize. "Oh, chin up, you'll feel better in the morning!" Have you said that to someone, or even worse, have you heard it from the ones that you love?
Each and every day, we come across people that will affect us in some way. the vagrant on the street talking to himself, the drug addict who is simply trying to stop the noises in her head. Generally, we cross the street, don't we? Our child becomes aggressive, and we can't figure out why. When a love one commits suicide, we are left to figure out what went wrong. It makes no sense. WHY DIDN'T THEY GET HELP?
Let me tell you why? The help, it's not always there. We can fool ourselves into thinking that there are supports out there to meet the needs of everyone who is suffering, but the reality is, we fall short, very short, of having that be a reality.
Many people do not have a voice. Joanne cannot speak, therefore she relies on us to figure it out. Someone suffering form a mental illness, whether they know it or not, also needs someone to speak for them. Someone needs to care, to learn and understand who these people are, so that they can identify changes in behaviors, in attitudes.
The Royal Ottawa Hospital has come out with this incredible campaign to raise funds for their programs. Daniel Alfredson is the face to the campaign. his sister suffers from a mental illness. I strongly encourage all of you to check out the website:
http://www.youknowwhoiam.com/
Raise your voice for those who do not have one. Do not fear these people, try to understand and love them. No matter how hard it can be. As a christian I am supposed to love others, Just as Christ loves me. Our example, Jesus Christ, DIED For US! He did not come hear to teach a select few, he came to heal us all. We are all chosen by God, but those of us who accept him as our Savior have an extra responsibility to stand for those who cannot stand for themselves. We should not judge or fear.
Perhaps there is something that you can do in your community. Maybe, just Maybe, it's as simple as a smile to the stranger in front of you. Who knows, that smile may have just saved a life! Remember, they are all human beings, and most of them just want to be "normal". Living in pain, is not living. Being loved, for who they are, is abundance.
Jo's hip will be taken care of, let's make sure that others also get the care, love and support services they need. Let's face it, that person may very well be you. Do something.....
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
hehehehehe
Laughter, I don't think that there is anything more therapeutic, heart warming, or energizing.
Last night I laughed. I spent the evening with the people I love the most, and we laughed. My daughter has an incredible sense of humor. She can make me giggle with the simplest things. My grandchild made me laugh. He is stuck inside this little tiny belly, trying to move around, but limited in his mobility. I am sure he was kicking me, just because he wanted me to know that he was there - lol! Giggled to the point where I was close to tears!
There is nothing like a good belly laugh to make you feel so much better. Laughter seems to be able to lift your spirits in a way that nothing else can. Yes my spirits needed lifting too.
Hearing other people laugh is also amazing. I sat there last night, listening to John laugh, and it was just nice, to hear him laugh that way, to see him that relaxed, it's nice.
Monty, the son-in-law, has this laugh that is so genuine, that I smile every single time I hear it.
My son, was not hanging with us after dinner last night. He considers us silly, and let's face it, he's 15. but let me tell you something about him. He has this incredibly dry, sarcastic humor. Actually, he has my sense of humor. He makes me bust a gut. But there is nothing, and I mean nothing, greater than hearing him belly laugh.
I guess what I am trying to say, is just how lucky I am to have been able to spend an evening laughing. We were silly, goofy, and downright stupid at times, but I would not have changed a single thing. Today, my heart is filled with joy.
Last night I laughed. I spent the evening with the people I love the most, and we laughed. My daughter has an incredible sense of humor. She can make me giggle with the simplest things. My grandchild made me laugh. He is stuck inside this little tiny belly, trying to move around, but limited in his mobility. I am sure he was kicking me, just because he wanted me to know that he was there - lol! Giggled to the point where I was close to tears!
There is nothing like a good belly laugh to make you feel so much better. Laughter seems to be able to lift your spirits in a way that nothing else can. Yes my spirits needed lifting too.
Hearing other people laugh is also amazing. I sat there last night, listening to John laugh, and it was just nice, to hear him laugh that way, to see him that relaxed, it's nice.
Monty, the son-in-law, has this laugh that is so genuine, that I smile every single time I hear it.
My son, was not hanging with us after dinner last night. He considers us silly, and let's face it, he's 15. but let me tell you something about him. He has this incredibly dry, sarcastic humor. Actually, he has my sense of humor. He makes me bust a gut. But there is nothing, and I mean nothing, greater than hearing him belly laugh.
I guess what I am trying to say, is just how lucky I am to have been able to spend an evening laughing. We were silly, goofy, and downright stupid at times, but I would not have changed a single thing. Today, my heart is filled with joy.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
The fun, Perky, yummy Chantal
Good Morning World!
It's 8:51 am, and I am sitting here planning my day. So far, I have one concrete thing to do. My goal, what I want to achieve, more than anything else, is to remain positive. If I can do that, then I am going to have a wonderful day.
Some of you know that I have not been 100% well for several weeks now. Yes, there is more testing to come, and questions still need to be answered. Fair enough, this stuff takes time.
The difficult thing is, while all of this is occurring, I am still left with the pain to deal with, the lack of energy, and the inability to do things in the same capacity as I used to. It can be so bloody frustrating.
The very worst part, the thing that gets me the most, is the fact that I feel like I am constantly whining about it. It is such a focus of my attention. More often than not, I want to avoid people, simply because I know that right now I am not able to do certain things. I hate the idea that people will adapt their behaviors to accommodate me.
Sometimes, I feel that Chantal was lost. The Fun, Perky, freaky, yummy Chantal, is somewhere inside, dying to get out. She is facing a wall of crap, trying to climb it, but there are obstacles as she does. From a positive perspective, I can feel her wanting to come out again. Like a veil being lifted, she is there in the horizon, walking towards me. For those of you who remember that Chantal, Well, look out, she is close!!!!!!!!
Be afraid, be very afraid! lol!
As I get closer to finding out the solution to my physical issues, I need to be grateful, because throughout this last experience, I am realizing more and more, that I am feeling better emotionally. I am getting stronger with my thoughts, and attitudes. I can re-direct, re-evaluate, and I am even learning to let things go. ( Yeah I know, I've cried like a baby this week, but I am still better than I was - lol)
Perhaps the physical issues are occurring to show me that I still have so much to be thankful for.
All I know, is that throughout all of this crap, I'm still happier than I have been in a long time.
It's 8:51 am, and I am sitting here planning my day. So far, I have one concrete thing to do. My goal, what I want to achieve, more than anything else, is to remain positive. If I can do that, then I am going to have a wonderful day.
Some of you know that I have not been 100% well for several weeks now. Yes, there is more testing to come, and questions still need to be answered. Fair enough, this stuff takes time.
The difficult thing is, while all of this is occurring, I am still left with the pain to deal with, the lack of energy, and the inability to do things in the same capacity as I used to. It can be so bloody frustrating.
The very worst part, the thing that gets me the most, is the fact that I feel like I am constantly whining about it. It is such a focus of my attention. More often than not, I want to avoid people, simply because I know that right now I am not able to do certain things. I hate the idea that people will adapt their behaviors to accommodate me.
Sometimes, I feel that Chantal was lost. The Fun, Perky, freaky, yummy Chantal, is somewhere inside, dying to get out. She is facing a wall of crap, trying to climb it, but there are obstacles as she does. From a positive perspective, I can feel her wanting to come out again. Like a veil being lifted, she is there in the horizon, walking towards me. For those of you who remember that Chantal, Well, look out, she is close!!!!!!!!
Be afraid, be very afraid! lol!
As I get closer to finding out the solution to my physical issues, I need to be grateful, because throughout this last experience, I am realizing more and more, that I am feeling better emotionally. I am getting stronger with my thoughts, and attitudes. I can re-direct, re-evaluate, and I am even learning to let things go. ( Yeah I know, I've cried like a baby this week, but I am still better than I was - lol)
Perhaps the physical issues are occurring to show me that I still have so much to be thankful for.
All I know, is that throughout all of this crap, I'm still happier than I have been in a long time.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
on being home!
I was in Edmonton for 5 days with my mother and siblings. I had a good time. It was interesting to re-connect with them, and to get to know them all a little better. Certainly, I loved the time with my Mom too. I love my family, and am glad that we shared the experience.
I have to admit, I am glad to be at home. Last night, I was dropped off at a friends house. Inside were my husband and my closest - my BEST - friends. It is amazing. I cannot imagine life without them now. These people, who stumbled into my life, now hold such a special place in my heart.
I can't help but express how very much I love these people. I am sitting here trying to remember the exact moment that I realized that I had fallen head over heels, but I can't. There are so many types of love. Romantic, parental, friendly ect... and yet, the love that I feel for them, I cannot easily describe. It is just an incredible feeling of admiration, sharing, responsibility. It's a feeling of safety and satisfaction. Even that does not describe it. There is teasing, and laughing. Guilt and apologies, and hugs, I just love the hugs.
Perhaps, that is what family truly is. No, forget that "perhaps", it IS what family is. When I get butterflies walking into a room full of people that I haven't seen in just 5 days, and still need to hold in tears of joy in seeing them, it proves beyond a shadow of doubt, that these are the people I want to be with. Calling them friends seems to somehow cheapen it. They are all more than that. So much more.
I am blessed beyond measures. I have a man who loves me, my children are the apples of my eyes, and then I have this group of people, and you all know who you are, that will always, let me repeat, ALWAYS be a part of my heart, and hopefully my life. These are the people I want to grow old with.
Thank you all, for allowing me to feel such an incredibly powerful experience.
I'm so glad to be home!!!
I think I missed you :)
I have to admit, I am glad to be at home. Last night, I was dropped off at a friends house. Inside were my husband and my closest - my BEST - friends. It is amazing. I cannot imagine life without them now. These people, who stumbled into my life, now hold such a special place in my heart.
I can't help but express how very much I love these people. I am sitting here trying to remember the exact moment that I realized that I had fallen head over heels, but I can't. There are so many types of love. Romantic, parental, friendly ect... and yet, the love that I feel for them, I cannot easily describe. It is just an incredible feeling of admiration, sharing, responsibility. It's a feeling of safety and satisfaction. Even that does not describe it. There is teasing, and laughing. Guilt and apologies, and hugs, I just love the hugs.
Perhaps, that is what family truly is. No, forget that "perhaps", it IS what family is. When I get butterflies walking into a room full of people that I haven't seen in just 5 days, and still need to hold in tears of joy in seeing them, it proves beyond a shadow of doubt, that these are the people I want to be with. Calling them friends seems to somehow cheapen it. They are all more than that. So much more.
I am blessed beyond measures. I have a man who loves me, my children are the apples of my eyes, and then I have this group of people, and you all know who you are, that will always, let me repeat, ALWAYS be a part of my heart, and hopefully my life. These are the people I want to grow old with.
Thank you all, for allowing me to feel such an incredibly powerful experience.
I'm so glad to be home!!!
I think I missed you :)
Thursday, September 25, 2008
EYES WIDE SHUT
Good Morning all!
3:00am. Lying in bed, closing my eyes, thinking to myself, you have 2 more hours to sleep. Just close your eyes. I was forcing my eyes shut, and yet, they are so wide open. I am excited, and I just can't sleep.
In just a few short hours, I will be on a plane Headed to Edmonton to visit my sister Monique. Not only is that exciting, but I am also going with My Mom, Pierre, Nicole and Suzanne. Yep, my siblings. This is the very first time that we are taking a trip together. We grew up together, shared a house, and yet, we have never traveled together.
This is a very exciting time for me. For all of us really. It is also very frightening. LOL. Our family can be like a pack of lion. We hunt together, protected each other, and love one another fiercely. But throw us a bone, and there is the potential of a fight at any time. We are all nervous.
So, why am I so excited then? Well, it's the make or break, right? Call me optimistic, but I somehow hold the notion that this will bring us closer together. Yes, I have heard alot of negative from well, everyone but I can't help but think that we are going to get together, laugh, cry, and just enjoy one another as we are.
We are all very different. VERY different. Sometimes, it can seem that there is no way we are family. Yet, when you take away the hats that we wear, we are all very much the same. We have the same neurosis' , the same needs to be acknowledged.
My Mom, is amazing. And I fully intend to make sure that she has a blast. This trip, is for her. Ok, you are right. This trip is for us... The Quesnel clan. Perhaps this is the healing that we will all need. If not, well, I get along with everyone, so I'm still going to have a great time.
Edmonton, will never be the same again. ok got to go finsh packing- lol
3:00am. Lying in bed, closing my eyes, thinking to myself, you have 2 more hours to sleep. Just close your eyes. I was forcing my eyes shut, and yet, they are so wide open. I am excited, and I just can't sleep.
In just a few short hours, I will be on a plane Headed to Edmonton to visit my sister Monique. Not only is that exciting, but I am also going with My Mom, Pierre, Nicole and Suzanne. Yep, my siblings. This is the very first time that we are taking a trip together. We grew up together, shared a house, and yet, we have never traveled together.
This is a very exciting time for me. For all of us really. It is also very frightening. LOL. Our family can be like a pack of lion. We hunt together, protected each other, and love one another fiercely. But throw us a bone, and there is the potential of a fight at any time. We are all nervous.
So, why am I so excited then? Well, it's the make or break, right? Call me optimistic, but I somehow hold the notion that this will bring us closer together. Yes, I have heard alot of negative from well, everyone but I can't help but think that we are going to get together, laugh, cry, and just enjoy one another as we are.
We are all very different. VERY different. Sometimes, it can seem that there is no way we are family. Yet, when you take away the hats that we wear, we are all very much the same. We have the same neurosis' , the same needs to be acknowledged.
My Mom, is amazing. And I fully intend to make sure that she has a blast. This trip, is for her. Ok, you are right. This trip is for us... The Quesnel clan. Perhaps this is the healing that we will all need. If not, well, I get along with everyone, so I'm still going to have a great time.
Edmonton, will never be the same again. ok got to go finsh packing- lol
Saturday, September 20, 2008
They're the people that you meet each day
Have you ever wondered how amazing the human mind is? I am sitting here, looking at this blank page, and immediately what comes to mind is a song from Sesame Street.
Well, they're the people that you meet
http://www.songlyrics.com/song-lyrics/Sesame_Street/Miscellaneous/People_In_Your_Neighborhood/98341.html
Do you remember it? Or am I simply aging myself here!
We come across so many people in our daily lives. Each an every one of them has the incredible power to change our lives. Strangers can smile and brighten your day. Others, can bump into you, and cause you to go into a tirade about how society has lost it's social graces. Some can cause you to lose hope, while others can show you incredible courage, allowing you to find strength within yourself, that you never even knew you had.
So here is my question. How do you respond? In as much as we can be influenced by other peoples actions, it only stands to reason that WE have the same power of influence. Do you hold the door open for the business woman who just knocked the bag out of your hand. Do you smile at the woman who is trying to control her 2 year old's tantrum, or do you give her a disapproving look? Do you respond out of anger, when the guy in the sports car cuts you off? Give him the one finger salute? Or do you try to look at it from a different perspective. His wife just went into labor and he is rushing home, Her child has been sick for a week, and the woman needed a break.
Each and every day, I choose to respond. I can allow my emotions to control me. I can set up "rules" for what is right, and what is wrong, and then judge others by this ever flowing, constantly changing set of guidelines. The problem with that is.... Others have their own defined measuring stick as well. And thus, I am being judged the same way that I am judging others.
What do I do to make things a little better for the stranger in front of me? Can I make a difference? Absolutely. You see, how we respond towards others, give us an opportunity to speak into the lives of those around us. We have control over how impatient we are. Perhaps by telling the clerk who served you at the store, that he did a good job, will allow him to take pride in his work. This in turn, will influence how he responds to the next customer.
Of course, there is a catch. Living this way can be really hard. Let's face it, some people are asses. Plain and simple. There is no "justifying", they are asses. You want to tell them, or tell someone else. But perhaps, an act of kindness will change how they respond when they go home. Maybe he / she won't beat their kids tonight.
I do struggle with this philosophy. I struggle putting it into practice. I hear horror stories every day, and sometimes it can be really discouraging to find positive in anything at all. It is however, my RESPONSIBILITY to try and live it out. It is a choice I made when I decided to follow Jesus, to live by God's word. If I am worthy of Grace - which I am - then so are all of the people that we meet each day. Show them the Grace that you have so readily accepted for yourself. Perhaps it is exactly what they need today. I know it is what I need.
Remember folks " God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again." John 3:17 - The message.
Well, they're the people that you meet
When you're walking down the street
They're the people that you meet each day
http://www.songlyrics.com/song-lyrics/Sesame_Street/Miscellaneous/People_In_Your_Neighborhood/98341.htmlDo you remember it? Or am I simply aging myself here!
We come across so many people in our daily lives. Each an every one of them has the incredible power to change our lives. Strangers can smile and brighten your day. Others, can bump into you, and cause you to go into a tirade about how society has lost it's social graces. Some can cause you to lose hope, while others can show you incredible courage, allowing you to find strength within yourself, that you never even knew you had.
So here is my question. How do you respond? In as much as we can be influenced by other peoples actions, it only stands to reason that WE have the same power of influence. Do you hold the door open for the business woman who just knocked the bag out of your hand. Do you smile at the woman who is trying to control her 2 year old's tantrum, or do you give her a disapproving look? Do you respond out of anger, when the guy in the sports car cuts you off? Give him the one finger salute? Or do you try to look at it from a different perspective. His wife just went into labor and he is rushing home, Her child has been sick for a week, and the woman needed a break.
Each and every day, I choose to respond. I can allow my emotions to control me. I can set up "rules" for what is right, and what is wrong, and then judge others by this ever flowing, constantly changing set of guidelines. The problem with that is.... Others have their own defined measuring stick as well. And thus, I am being judged the same way that I am judging others.
What do I do to make things a little better for the stranger in front of me? Can I make a difference? Absolutely. You see, how we respond towards others, give us an opportunity to speak into the lives of those around us. We have control over how impatient we are. Perhaps by telling the clerk who served you at the store, that he did a good job, will allow him to take pride in his work. This in turn, will influence how he responds to the next customer.
Of course, there is a catch. Living this way can be really hard. Let's face it, some people are asses. Plain and simple. There is no "justifying", they are asses. You want to tell them, or tell someone else. But perhaps, an act of kindness will change how they respond when they go home. Maybe he / she won't beat their kids tonight.
I do struggle with this philosophy. I struggle putting it into practice. I hear horror stories every day, and sometimes it can be really discouraging to find positive in anything at all. It is however, my RESPONSIBILITY to try and live it out. It is a choice I made when I decided to follow Jesus, to live by God's word. If I am worthy of Grace - which I am - then so are all of the people that we meet each day. Show them the Grace that you have so readily accepted for yourself. Perhaps it is exactly what they need today. I know it is what I need.
Remember folks " God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again." John 3:17 - The message.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Albert Einstein reduces boredom.
I have had a lot of time on my hands in the last 10 days. I have been sick, and in extreme pain. I have visited 1 clinic and been to the hospital twice now. Long story short the doctor's told me " we can tell you what you don't have". Very frustrating. They did however, determine that I have ovarian cysts and Fibroids in the uterus. Let me just say, ouch! Even on morphine, Ouch!
Anyways, as a result of this 10 days of pain, I have been unable to do anything other than sleep, watch TV, and surf the net. TV is extremely boring. How I was ever able to spend hours in front of it in the past is completely beyond me. I am now completely caught up on CSI Miami, and Family Guy. - lol
The other thing I have been doing is Stumbling online. It is incredible the amount of useless information that one can view. I have seen so many pictures, it is becoming difficult to determine which are real, and which are photo shopped. lol! Ok not really, but c'mon folks.
Every once in a while, I do find something that amuses me. I have always been a big fan of Albert Einstein. No, not the scientist, but the man himself. I'm not even sure why, other than his attitude in life. This was an incredibly intelligent and powerful man, and yet, he also seemed to have a love of life, and a childlike enthusiasm. He would pose for pictures, with his tongue sticking out. He was brilliant, and so real at the same time. I don't understand his scientific thoughts or theories. As a matter of fact, I don't even try. What I do enjoy about him, is his thoughts on life.
I found this, and thought that I would share it with you. It's 30 of his greatest quotes. Albert Einstein was not only a great scientist, but also a man who loved life....
http://www.2spare.com/item_92759.aspx
Anyways, as a result of this 10 days of pain, I have been unable to do anything other than sleep, watch TV, and surf the net. TV is extremely boring. How I was ever able to spend hours in front of it in the past is completely beyond me. I am now completely caught up on CSI Miami, and Family Guy. - lol
The other thing I have been doing is Stumbling online. It is incredible the amount of useless information that one can view. I have seen so many pictures, it is becoming difficult to determine which are real, and which are photo shopped. lol! Ok not really, but c'mon folks.
Every once in a while, I do find something that amuses me. I have always been a big fan of Albert Einstein. No, not the scientist, but the man himself. I'm not even sure why, other than his attitude in life. This was an incredibly intelligent and powerful man, and yet, he also seemed to have a love of life, and a childlike enthusiasm. He would pose for pictures, with his tongue sticking out. He was brilliant, and so real at the same time. I don't understand his scientific thoughts or theories. As a matter of fact, I don't even try. What I do enjoy about him, is his thoughts on life.
I found this, and thought that I would share it with you. It's 30 of his greatest quotes. Albert Einstein was not only a great scientist, but also a man who loved life....
http://www.2spare.com/item_92759.aspx
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