Getting Older

My view from my home

I am an old soul.  It is a good feeling to know exactly what and who you are and how you determined your own point of view in this world.  The initial encounters in my nursing career were always beneficial in understanding myself.  After graduating from college and moving on to hospital nursing, it occurred to me I enjoyed one on one time with my patients that were geriatrics the most.  I loved hearing an 85 year old’s perspective on life.  Getting older can be a joy.  This was a good lesson to learn early on.

The Many Faces Of Autism

I am in love with this crazy, wonderful son of mine. Today was a good day.

Traffic

Many of you hate it. Today I embrace it as I sit in the back of a car with my son Luke. He is happy with his autism always giving me a child in an adult’s body. We both sense an awareness of contentment as the radio softly nurtures us with a melody of love and joy. 

In the front seat my youngest son discusses life with his dad. He pauses to look back at me smiling and gently puts his hand on my knee. 

I put mine over his.  He is home from classes for a short week. Summer will be  over soon. 

My heart is full in these moments. These are them tucked away in my memories. Nothing can steal this time. I feel filled up with all I need. 

Traffic is all around, but I am not driving. All is well on my road. 

Arizona On My Mind!

The break is broken on WordPress!  I could not help to share some of the tranquil scenery that I have encountered. I came down to Arizona for spring training for my baseball team.  I think I may be falling in love with a Newport of America. I recently expressed to a friend that I do not need to leave America to vacation anymore.  This sure is proof, but I know I would go anywhere if the timing was right! 



Berlin Wall

A portion of the Berlin Wall. Photo taken by Alesia in 1989

In 1989, I was living in Germany when the Berlin Wall came down. This week in 1961 over a period of several days, the wall was first erected to keep freedom away from communist-controlled East Berlin. May we never forget this history. Nothing more dramatizes the fall of mankind than this wall. Nothing more causes one to pause than the taking down of that wall. Liberation can prevail. May other parts of the world that are in conflict learn from this wall.

Southern Nights

On the beach somewhere in Florida! Chillin’ out after passing Nursing School and the Boards I suspect!

Have you ever felt a southern night? Growing up in Alabama, I had the distinct privilege of touching, feeling, smelling, and living it. Back roads run through my blood. I travel along those rural roads that lead me straight to family and friends. Bringing back a simpler time, but also a mysterious time. What did my life have for me to hold? What was my particular destiny?
The mind is a powerful thing. It is unlimited. It is pure if you let it be. That is what is so beautiful about it. In Greek studies, reason was looked upon as divine. It was the glue and the influence to today’s thought processes on God and theology. Greek thought may have had some quirks, but it did help lay some foundation for where we are today.
My first big life choices evolved a southern night. Good thinking tends to happen when life itself is looked upon in simplistic fashion. It does not mean you do not weigh all the facts you have, but rather you include your emotional state in that equation. Logic may not always win. In my case, I can see mostly decisions based on logic, but those decisions were based on good people around me giving their share of praise to me and allowing me to feel a sense of purpose in my life.
Once I was on the back-end of a decision made by my superiors when I was employed at a hospital. The hospital leadership decided that all the nurses needed to rebid for their positions. This was a scary time for everyone because many nurses thought they were going to lose their job.
For whatever reason, I was concerned, but not overwhelmed by this crazy tactic being utilized by my employer to get rid of employees. I had a lot of seniority and it is what kept my position intact. Why do I bring this up? Essentially because a good leader would never do this to his team of employees. He would bring everyone on board so that folks do not think they have been hit over the head with a two by four.
This brings me back to my southern nights. It was those nights that brought me back down to reality. The memories of that simpler time reinforced my sense of purpose. It brought me rest and peace in my mind when all hell seemed to be breaking out in front of my eyes. Those southern nights have served me well. I hope you too can find your “southern night” and let it be an important part of your thought processes. It is no fun to be out in the dark and left without inspiration.

Whispered Story

I am now talked about in scattered ways. A true story whispered across the table about the break up. It is being alone that is not spoken of. Instead it is the sustaining half-truths played out by those who do not know.
Some of my life is well worn in my mind like coming out of anesthesia. You feel distance yet you know you are in the same room. “Help me!” I said struggling with pain during one surgery two years ago. “Oh, honey, I have some medicine and I am putting it in your IV now.”
Suddenly you wake up more and do not say a thing at all. You know you need that nurse to help you and he does. He knows exactly the right medicine to administer. You drift back off to sleep.
Hi. My name is Alesia. That pain is not so bad anymore. Two years have gone by and I am now experiencing a whole new kind of pain. A kind I did not expect. It is the end of an almost 23 year relationship. My partner in life has made a choice to move on. I still do not know if the move is permanent. It is what it is for now. The details are not worth the read, but it is the cracks in it that are compelling.
Choosing to not dwell on the details, it seems better to talk about my state my mind and the emotional impact of this loss. With the Christmas season especially, I am reminded of not only my hurt, but also the suffering of many of you. If you sat at home alone on Christmas knowing the season should be enjoyed with others-the harsh reminder of the heartache is painful.
But, tonight as the Christmas day comes to an end, it is hope I would want to bring you. Know you are not alone. I know your pain, but there is always hope. Tomorrow is a new day. God has promised us this through His Story that came through the birth of a baby called the Christ-Child. It is a hope worth pursuing.
Again, do not give up. Life is worth living. Think about the things you love. For me it is fresh flowers, birds in my backyard, watching a great movie, or listening to beautiful music. Life is also about touching others, being touched, and feeling loved. Sweet friendships that are rekindled or perhaps even ambiguous loss of love that gets rejuvenated awaits you and perhaps me one again.
Life is hard. Do not give up. Anesthesia may have worn off, but hope is always attainable.

Fall

Photography is a great hobby and one I admire immensely in those who have a good eye. Today’s post is from my 16-year-old son’s camera who just so happens to be taking Photography in high school. I try to give him a critique or two about his photos. However I thought better yet give my followers a chance to give my son some good advice. Please feel free to comment as my son Elijah will read what you have to say:

Love this shot with the reflection of the trees.

Interesting shot of fall foliage

This really makes me feel like fall is in the air

Great lighting on an unusual subject by my son

Only my son would take a shot of this!

Catching the water

Throw And Tell!

This son turns 20 and I turn 50. My how time flys!

Happy 50th Birthday gift to myself: Be True to Yourself….

Listening to Rod Stewart’s HOT LEGS on the radio, it reminded me of my friend that was sitting in the front row of one his concerts when the MAN kicked a soccer ball straight to him. Unknown to my friend, THAT ball was autographed by Rod. Rod was giving him a gift. What did my friend do? He kicked that damn ball right back at Rod! As my friend’s wife likes to say, “Rod’s face was dumbfounded, but my face was livid!”
I laugh just thinking about that incident. How many times when gifts are involved we think there is some kind of strange motive behind them? I can understand that because we live in such a, “You rub my back, I’ll rub your back society.” Receiving a gift with no strings attached is a feeling that some fear. People fear what they don’t know.
Listening to my inner voice, I have heard many strange tunes. I still close my eyes though. IT is my hope that the strongest pure sound prevails with breathtaking clarity. Recently I was asked why don’t I blog about my gift of understanding the things of my former occupation in the medical field? With all due respect, I am doing just that. Sharing what is in the inner works of our spirit is so much more important than any health condition. The spiritual heart needs fixing first. If it is disappointing to not always be receiving some profound word from this blogger-rest assured the truth of an ordinary life is what I am . There is nothing more. There is nothing less.
Happy Birthday to ME. 50 years is a long time. Let me celebrate who I am now. Not the identity of the past. Follow me in my newness and celebrate that which is happy. Baby comes as you are. I do.