Small Steps, Big Feat

Posted on June 30, 2010 by Leslie Sigal Javorek | 5 Comments

Posted by: Leslie Sigal Javorek • Date: Weds. June 30, 2010 12:45 am

I’m baaack! Actually, I got home from my little expedition to my Dad’s a week ago tonight but the trip took so much out of me, both physically and emotionally, that I have pretty much slept for the past 7 days! – To so many of you who had written to me both on and off this blog, Thank You so much for worrying about me and for being patient with me and forgiving me for being “off blog” longer than I had originally planned..The trip I took (approx. 350 miles from my home in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio to my father’s home in Allentown, Pa.) was for only 4 days but was a monumental event in more ways than one.

Forgive me for boasting, but in light of my having been (literally) confined to bed for the last 7 years, the fact that I made it there and back again in relatively good shape feels like a huge accomplishment. For several months before we went, I had to work really hard to build up the stamina to be able to sit up by myself for an hour or so at a time and then to be able to walk (with my spiffy blue Drive Rollator) for short distances (like from a parking lot to my seat at a table in a restaurant). And then, perhaps most importantly of all, I had to work on being able to simply stay awake for more than a 2 hour stretch at a time! In some ways, it sounds ridiculous to be so pleased about having attained such seemingly meager goals, but from where I started, it IS a big deal. Of course, I couldn’t have done it without the help and inspiration from me hubby and son, who were absolutely wonderful in their support and keeping me safe and doing all the driving (8 hours each way!)

“Forever Young” – Image on the T-Shirt I created for my Dad’s 85th birthday features a photo of him when he was 25 yrs. old.

One of the other reason(s) this trip was so monumental was the purpose of it: We went to celebrate my Dad’s 85th Birthday!! Now THAT’s an amazing accomplishment and blessing! Not many folks are lucky enough to reach that age and I’m willing to bet that of those who do reach 85, very few have the honor of throwing out the first ball at minor league baseball game!

“Dr., Lt. Commander, Roland L. Sigal, throws out 1st Ball at game between the AAA Phillies Iron Pigs and AAA Wilkes Barre Yankees. And,
Yep! That’s Ron Shegda, our Republican Candidate for PA. State Representative, 136th District, guiding “Rolly” onto the field.”

I’ll have a lot more to share from my trip in future posts – right now my head is still swimming and trying to sort out my thoughts and feelings. Rather deep things to think about first. In the meantime, being yet another early, early Wednesday morning, so I leave you with a few more law-related icons. Praying today will be Justice Day!

Free Clip-Art / Icons of the Day

The following images are either full or reduced size previews. Simply right-click (or control-click) on the preview to save the image(s) of your choice to your desktop. (Unless otherwise noted, downloads are 512px X 512px in .png format). As always, usage of any of the images offered on this blog are free for your personal use while subject to the limitations of my Creative Commons Non-Commercial – Attribution – No Derivatives 3.0 license. (See sidebar for details)

Justice Watch – Week 12

Posted on June 8, 2010 by Leslie Sigal Javorek | 4 Comments

Posted by: Leslie Sigal Javorek • Date: Tues. June. 8, 2010 4:30 pm

Hubby’s birthday is coming up in 2 days but since our son is up here and getting ready to drive back to his apartment in Columbus this evening, we’re going to have the birthday celebration tonight. It’s going to be a trial run for me to see how well I can do sitting up for an hour or so in a restaurant, as I’m hoping to visit my Dad for his 85th birthday. Glory, I sure hope that I can do this. Seems ridiculous that it should be such a big deal but such is life. Rob just came in from working out in the yard, our fine young man took it upon himself to drive 150 miles from his apartment just to clean up our landscaping so the “block police” wouldn’t cite us for undignified curb appeal. 😉 His buddy Travis drove up on Saturday to help out and his friend Ryan, who lives around the block, came over too. They worked about 12 hours solid for 3 days. G-d Bless them! It looks great now.

Of course, it’s another Tuesday, and so another night of “Justice Watch” – this time week 12 and so far no answer from the Court. Praying for tomorrow.

I’m cutting this post short today as off we go.

Enjoy!

Free Clip-Art / Icons of the Day

The following images are either full or reduced size previews. Simply right-click (or control-click) on the preview to save the image(s) of your choice to your desktop. (Unless otherwise noted, downloads are 512px X 512px in .png format). As always, usage of any of the images offered on this blog are free for your personal use while subject to the limitations of my Creative Commons Non-Commercial – Attribution – No Derivatives 3.0 license. (See sidebar for details)

Today’s My Birthday – Sew What?

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Leslie Sigal Javorek | 9 Comments

Posted by: Leslie Sigal Javorek • Date: Thurs. Mar. 18, 2010 5:35 am

A lot of folk in western culture seem to dread growing older. Some stop counting their birthdays after age 30, 40 or the like and shun celebrations. Some go as far as to lie about their age, deducting a few years while their physical assets are plausible enough for them to get away it and when their body’s defy the hoped for illusion, some turn to plastic surgery. Personally, I’m just so grateful for each and every day, week, month and year that I’ve been able to survive, I feel like wearing my age pinned to my chest like a badge of honor. For all intents and purposes, for me to be still alive and kicking on this day, which is my fifty-sixth (56) birthday, is a miracle and such a blessing, that I can hardly find adequate words to express it. I can think of no greater gift than to see this morning’s sunrise. Everything else is just gravy.

For those of you who share the burden of living with chronic pain, chronic disease, and/or a terminal diagnosis, you know what I’m talking about. Because even with having to deal with pain and fear and all the various effects and disabilities in our lives, every sunrise begins a new day to hope. Yep. Better days are coming.

Free Icons of the Day

The following images are either full or reduced size previews. Simply right-click (or control-click) on the preview to save the image(s) of your choice to your desktop. (Unless otherwise noted, downloads are 512px X 512px in .png format). Create Commons license applies (see sidebar for details)