Enlightened by the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

I lost my beautiful Mama to ALS just 10 months ago, and the current onslaught of Ice Bucket videos has been a roller coaster of emotions!

My first reaction was sadness, and the urge to resist everything that brought the dreadful ALS to the front of my mind.  My next emotion was skepticism, as I saw no correlation between wet squealing people and a cure for ALS.

But as the viral reaction became impossible to avoid, I suddenly had an epiphany….a lightbulb moment, if you will!  Or, perhaps an "ice bucket" moment to be accurate.  Let me explain….

Mom was a beautiful lady.  She handled the news with grace and dignity, and a strong, faithful inner peace.  But as the days wore on, she also became sad and withdrawn, almost exhibiting a kind of shame over her fate.   She shied away from outings as the awkward stares, the confusion when she spoke, the lack of understanding of ALS - all these things left her feeling uncomfortable and alone.  Speaking, eating, breathing…normal acts that now made her embarrassed and afraid.  She made me promise to keep both friends and relatives away as the disfiguring disease consumed her body.  Her pride was gone and her spirit was broken.  I tried my best to keep that promise.  Turning folks away was hard, but I had agreed, after she promised to attend one last family birthday party and say goodbye in her own way.  It was one of the hardest events I've ever attended, but in the end, it was a huge success.  Here is my wonderful family, celebrating the birth and life of my Mom.

Just 3 months after this outing, Mom left this earth.  Her disfigured face returned to it's beauty as we watched the peace return to her soul.  She left as gently as she had lived.  For that we are forever grateful!  We had great support from the ALS Foundation and Heartsway Hospice, as well as our multitude of friends and family.  Sadly, ALS changed my whole family forever and nothing will ever be the same…..

But back to my enlightenment.  It suddenly dawned on me that the major accomplishment of this crazy Ice Bucket Challenge is awareness.  People are learning about ALS!  They get it!  The donations are fantastic and bring lots of hope, but from my perspective, awareness is the greatest gift that can be given!  May no other victim ever suffer the shame and isolation my Mom endured.  May no other family struggle to explain the devastation ALS can bring.  We all know the words cancer, stroke, diabetes, heart disease.  Thank You ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE for teaching the world about ALS
too!

If you'd like to donate to help ALS families cope with this challenging disease, click here.

Homemade Halloween Fun

Some of my fondest memories are of the "just for fun" holiday - Halloween! It was the one day of the year that I could stay out late roaming the streets with my friends - boys & girls! As we became teens, we papered a few houses and rang doorbells and ran. But mostly we just dressed up in homemade costumes, gathered candy, cupcakes, popcorn balls, and apples. Yes, I grew up before we were enlightened about all the evils that folks can do, so homemade treats from the neighborhood were totally acceptable. What a wonderful, naive time in which to grow up!

Sweeter still are the memories of Halloweens with my children. We spent weeks before the big day creating costumes. Of course they were handcrafted! We never even considered "store-bought"! We made huge messes in the kitchen too - Carmel apples, Popcorn Balls, and Krispy Kritters were the treats we enjoyed for weeks before and after October 31st. Everyone created and cooked and enjoyed weeks of fun in the name of Halloween.

Now the grandchildren are the only trick-or-treaters in the family. I so miss the bedlam of the good ole days! No sticky carmel, no rice krispies on the sofa....no face paint on the lavatory and mirror! But I still take time to create some handmade fun each fall.

My new passion is creating beautiful new items from re-purposed materials. I've revived the art of making pumpkins from vent hoses.

 Another favorite craft is garlands from "JunkMail Jewels" - my folded paper stars. These were made from leftover Halloween bags.

So while times have changed, my passion for Halloween fun has not! I'm finishing up my "kitty" costume and headed into town to take my 2 little munchkins trick-or-treating! They are just 9 months and 3 years old, so it should be a "treat" to see their faces as they discover the age-old fun. Hope you and yours make this time of year special too! Memories are forever!

Reflections on Life

Last week we lost a 3 year old cousin in a terrible accident.  We graduated a grandson from high school.  We hospitalized my father-in-law.  It was a week of highs and lows, a real roller-coaster ride.  It was also a time for much reflection on the important things in life, and these 3 stand out: Faith, Family and Friends.

Faith brings that peace that passes understanding; knowing the family will hold that sweet child in their arms again some day.  Family joins hands and shares hugs and tears in joy and sadness.  And friends make life sweeter with their words and prayers of kindness.  I am blessed with all three in abundance, and I am thankful for those that walk with me in this circle of life!

Sending a note of Thankfulness and Blessings to all my friends and loved ones. This cold and dreary month of February is a perfect time to take stock of life's priorities. Faith, family and friends come to the forefront for me. I'm very blessed to have them all - in good measure.

Take some time to tell someone how much they mean to you. It will bless you both.

Notecards available at our shop - www.texaseagle.etsy.com