Well if anyone can handle this, you guys can. Really? I have always wanted to punch in the nose whoever said those words to me; and every time I heard them. I do believe I would be left with many less friends though, so I refrain. We heard the words a lot over the years but more than I could handle after Rob was diagnosed.
I have never for one second believed that statement as I believe the roadway on the new normal is much to do with a ‘learn-as-you-go’ journey.
What I do believe, however, is there is something in us that we have that helps us greatly on this journey and that is what I want to address today. Something we always had, that when needed, it was already there ready for use. In our house it was a few things and I can pinpoint them immediately.
We have always lived with the notion that music and laughter must be in our house. Almost every morning, the first thing we do is turn on the radio so music plays all day long. My dad used to do that every day; I grew up with the sounds of Glen Miller and all of the great golden era music; and Jill’s house also did the same. During the holidays each of us has our own favorite song; and we each know them.
We also love to laugh. Not at someone’s expense as much as we all just look at things in a manner that is a little weird that makes us laugh. Someone will say, or do, something that we all find so funny; we do enjoy each other and when all of us are together, one thing is a sure bet; we will laugh. We all have a unique way of looking at things, and sometimes pretty twisted as well.
Whether it is a play on words, or buying someone 48 boxes of pop tarts because you bought them a toaster, ‘and well they need something to put in the toaster’, or a funny thing shared from the internet–we just love to laugh in our house; and we do.
We have tried to make sure both music and laughter stayed even with everything life has thrown at us. I have often said that laughter is the ballet of life. Master it and you can get through anything. Music is the baseline for which we walk, walk with a little beat in your steps and the traveling load will be that much lighter.
What do you use in your ‘new normal’ that you are so grateful was part of your life before that you lean on often. Life is an amazing journey; sometimes there is MUCH thrown at us. During those times, what do you rely on to help? Please let us know as you might be helping someone else.
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5 replies on “On What Do You Lean? Please Share.”
We always used to talk about things that were hard to talk about, in the car. It’s easier to talk, we found, about difficult things when not face to face, but neither of us could just walk off. This went with diabetes situations as well. I’m glad this was already established in the pre-diagnosis days.
Music and laughter are big in our house, too. I have a sitcom-only rule after a stressful day and it’s nothing to find my husband and I with headphones on after the kids go to bed. (We have VERY different tastes music). Along those lines, I am a trained dancer (ballet) and love to turn the music on and dance around the house for hours when nobody else is home. The movement is therapeutic. Dancing has been big for me since I was 5-years old and I’m thrilled I still have that outlet.
Going to the Theatre and movies were our escapes before and after my T1d dx as a little 7 y/o …. We’d get tickets – always in the $1 section at the outdoor theatre as Broadway shows trouped through our city each summer – we always sat in the back section as I grew up – which meant we got to go to more plays/musicals. We saw Carol Channing in Hello Dolly, Joel Grey in the George M!, Angela Lansbury in Mame. I didn’t realize it at the time. I’ve just recently come to truly realize how much I relied then and rely now on going to the theatre – both stage and movie – as escapes. There’s the looking forward to going, the “being there in the moment” then the inevitable discussions afterwards, sometimes even decades later as we listen to the Broadway radio channel on satellite. It is a total escape in the movie theatre or the seeing a Broadway show. For those couple of hours it is pure escapism and joy.
As a lot of people know, I like to plan. Vacations, conferences, runs, lunch, coffee… if I can plan something, I’m happy (I’m sure there is an ICD9-CM code for that). Our ‘new normal’ has lived for 15+ years in this house… and it still involves planning. Vacations are the favorite; but sometimes it’s just “when’s the next time we’re visiting NYC or DC and what are we going to do?” Tom… if I had music playing all day in the house, I’d have to live in the yard.
Pesonally I have used music that was uplifting from the time I was a teen. I love songs of faith & hymns. But, as a family unit it is laughter. My husband has an awesome sense of humor & knows how to use it when needed.