By Sandra Miskie
(aka: Grandma Geezer Ph.D)
At this present time...
... Grandma Geezer is living in a fully furnished studio apartment on the 11th floor of a senior
residence high rise that is free.
The view is breathtaking!
The view is breathtaking!
The full mountain range
with snow capped peaks, the Christmas lights all over the metro area, the view
of several lakes, downtown Denver is lit up, the football and baseball stadiums
are in full view, the fireworks are going to be spectacular on New Year's Eve
all over the city…I could go on and on.
I have gated parking,
friends who live in the building, a free bus to take me shopping, snack and pop
machines with all my favorites, twelve restaurants up and down the street which
is festively decorated for the season, a television with antenna so I don’t
have to pay for cable, a person who comes in and cleans for a nominal fee, an
inside mailbox, an exercise room with every machine you need to get in shape
and group activities which include games. Who could ask for more!
I am blessed!
Trust me on
this…look on the positive side of things or you will be swallowed up in
negativity and bitterness.
It takes a monumental
effort to do this in a crisis ...
... But well worth the effort.
... But well worth the effort.
Only let yourself
express your sorrows or losses with people who “get it” and who are working through
things equally as devastating. Avoid those in similar situations that are
pessimistic and only need attention.
Why do I say these things?
On the Saturday after
Thanksgiving my town-home was engulfed in fire and smoke. I was not at
home because I was counseling a child about 30 minutes away. There is considerable
smoke and water damage to my town-home so the entire place has been gutted and
stripped of all appliances and such. Even the brick fireplace has been removed and I have yet to know all that can be salvaged. The insurance company has now rented me the above-mentioned residence for three months.
I find out things like this
as time goes on and the cleaning process progresses. There have been so many phone calls from
different people that I have stopped trying to keep track of them!
Do you possibly remember my
previous article on watching your emotions?
I have to follow that
advice (my own) very carefully! I am beyond tired emotionally and physically, so I don’t
always answer personal phone calls. My kids text or call me daily and I text
them smiley faces with an “I love you”. I close my eyes and listen to my body
telling me to stop, eat, hydrate and sleep. I answer phone calls late at night
with texts.
When I find myself ready to
rage or react over someone’s comment or inability to understand my situation I politely
excuse myself and visit with my Lord. He understands my tears, frustration,
confusion, financial losses, lack of personal items and the list goes on. I can
look at the devastation of others on the East coast due to Hurricane Sandy but I have to keep in mind
that mine is equally traumatic and shocking.
I know that I will survive.
I have to keep perspective.
I will have Christmas with
friends and family and look forward to the New Year and the promise it brings!
May Christmas and the New
Year bring you blessings!
Always look forward not
backwards!
Ever yours through the thick and thin,
Grandma Geezer Ph.D
