I am awake, I am alive, and this morning, I’m celebrating another great day.
And some wonder about that, they question how a simple morning can be so special to me. To them I say, “You don’t understand because you haven’t seen my bad”.
My bad was waking to my Mom screaming because she couldn’t wake my Dad. I was 17.
My bad was screaming because I couldn’t wake my infant daughter. I was 20. My bad was holding mom’s hand and giving the order to shut off the machines.
My bad is when my permanent neck injury reduces me to tears; when I have been stressed or tense and as a result, I can’t take the weight of my own head; when my usual 2-3 pain level goes to a FULL-ON 10; the nights when pain medications don’t work, and all I can manage to do is pray for it to stop.
Last night was a real bad night so this morning, I am celebrating – celebrating relief from the pain, celebrating this reprieve, thankful that I can again hold my head high.
I won’t push it. No lifting for me. No stressful thoughts or actions. I know my limits. But I have also come to know that there is a whole lot worse than a cold winter morning.
So, this is me, counting the great days, because they are what pulls me through the bad ones.
This is me, praying you are having a great one too.
I love you!
HUGSSSSSSSS
Sandi
***This is an excerpt from Sandi’s most recent book, “I am Awake …”. available for purchase on her website or on Amazon.ca.***
It takes time and effort to build relationships, especially between different cultures and those efforts can be hampered if not destroyed with these phrases. Let’s make sure NO ONE on your team is overheard using them, not in the lunch room, not anywhere. Let’s talk about it!
Today, I am trying something new, sharing with you questions that were asked of me at a recent event based on the assumption that you may have the same questions like, “How DO I ask a self-identified Indigenous person for more information on their community/nation etc?” Let’s talk about it!
All over Canada, people mark the passage of time using the 12-month calendar but not so for the traditional Indigenous. They may use the standard calendar to work with others, but they honour the 13 Grandmother Moons. Let’s talk about it!