Since Heather has been sick, she is constantly looking to find her now "normal." She doesn't have the stamina to work yet, but she is always looking for things to do that give her structure, make her feel involved, and keep her body and mind active.
Chronic diseases can take over your focus on life. As I have said before, Heather is already living with her health issues, she doesn't want to dwell on them and give them more power.
In the last few months Heather's health has really improved. She finally has an appetite, she is slowly gaining weight, her brain fog is improving, and she is excited about what tomorrow brings. A few weeks ago Heather decided to do some volunteer work. She thought about her options and decided to give her time helping with the presidential election.
Before I proceed, this blog isn't about politics or anyones political beliefs. It is about my wonderful daughter and watching her learn a valuable lesson in life. The gift of volunteering.
Heather is now spending several hours each day volunteering. It makes me smile to see that she is regaining her confidence, she has structure to her day, she is excited to go help, she is meeting new people, she is able to use her amazing organization skills, and she is happy about what she has accomplished.
Seriously, she is so happy when she returns from her volunteering. It reminds of her teen years when she would come home from a competition or performance and she would share her adventures with me.
Of course I am biased, but when Heather is assigned a task, she gives it her full attention. She is a worker bee and she is only looking for the self gratification that she did the best that she could. Heather found the perfect volunteer position and I am so proud of her.
So - let's go back to 2005. Heather had been in NYC for a few years and I had way too much free time on my hands. I knew that I needed to pay it forward, so I decided to volunteer for a Pediatric wing at a local hospital. As a volunteer, I was given a list of patients/children that didn't have a family member with them. Yes, sadly some children were by themselves in the hospital. It wasn't because the parents didn't want to be there, but because they had children at home or a job that didn't allow them to take off extra time. There were many reasons. It didn't matter why, what mattered was what I could do for them.
I must admit that there were days that I was feeling sorry for myself about a tough day at work or a personal problem, but after I would return from my volunteering I realized that I was getting back more than I was giving. Seriously.
I was giving my so called "spare" time, but I felt guilty that I got back so much more. You think you are having a bad day, well watch the fear in a parents face as their sick child is wheeled away for a procedure. Or watch a sick baby in their crib with tubes hooked up and fear in their eyes.
My responsibilities as a volunteer were varied. Sometimes I would just sit and hold a baby, sometimes I would play a game with a child, or read a book. What did I get back from these sick children? Well, it was usually a smile, a laugh or that fearful look in their eyes subsided for maybe a second. It's not like I was doing anything special. I was just there. I took time out of my so called scheduled and hectic life and spent a few hours a week at the hospital.
An added bonus was the generic blue volunteer jacket and sensible shoes and pants required for the job. Anyone that knows me well is aware of the struggle to conform and wear a uniform. I like to think I am a "fashion before function" type of girl but this time it was "function and zero fashion." Shocking, I know.
Enough about me - let's go back to Heather.
Heather can't control the many health issues that is battling, but she can control how she approaches each day and how she can return to her new "normal." Heather loves volunteering. She has met so many amazing people that are also selflessly giving their spare time. Heather is happy. What does that mean........well Lisa is happy now too. Ha - it always comes back to me now doesn't it.
In Heather's previous work life in NYC, she was focused on her job and the demanding hours that were required. She tried to find that perfect balance between work and play. There didn't seem to be enough time in the day to volunteer. She now knows that there is never enough time to accomplish everything. You just need to reprioritize your activities and there is always an hour or two a week that you can use to help others.
Yes, I am fully aware that Heather does have a lot of time on her hands right now to volunteer. Heather would rather be working her crazy hours rather than deal with her chronic health issues. I am just so proud that Heather is focusing her energy and time and paying it forward.
I am sitting on a blog that I wrote a month ago that has an update about Heather's health. We will share that one later after additional tests are performed.
Heather - you never cease to amaze me. The smile on your face when you come home from the campaign office is priceless to me. You picked the perfect volunteer job for this point and time in your life. I am so proud of you and so glad that you are feeling better each day.
xo
Lisa
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| Our last day in NYC - 2016 |
