It’s really not hard people. Just keep in mind that every single person has opinions. Those opinions may not be the same as yours. That doesn’t make those opinions any less valid than your own.

What spurred this? On social media today there has been a flurry of things that bring out opinions. Vaccinations. ISIS. Religion. I have opinions too, but apparently some of the people who read my comments feel I’m way off base.

Seriously. Just try respect. You may learn something along the way.

It’s not quite 3 am. And I’m here, awake again. Pondering life. And, well, why my body hates me. Chronic illness is just plain miserable. It seems that just as I get in a groove, something flares up. Being Autistic, I like my world to be at least somewhat predictable.  I can just go with whatever is happening. I’ve become quite capable at shifting gears and rolling with the punches. There are some people who would tell me that being flexible negates my Autism diagnosis. Nope. It just means I’ve spent a long time figuring out how to let go of plans and such.

The medical issues are so unpredictable. I literally can go from fully functional to incapacitated within an hour. I am most fortunate that my support system understand this. I don’t know what I would do if they suddenly stopped doing what they do. I have an idea, based on people airing things on social media.  It’s not a pretty picture.

At least the hospital’s bed is sort of comfy. And the staff are competent. And pleasant. Good things when you don’t feel well.

Your challenge: Think about the challenges in your life. Try to understand that everyone has things in their lives that weigh them down. Now, think about how you could help ease that weight. And act on those thoughts. Because we can all use a little help from our friends.

There are just some things that rub me the wrong way. I know I’m not the only one or else there wouldn’t already be a name for this phenomenon…pet peeves. Today’s discussion is happening because, well, common sense is a flower that doesn’t grow in every garden.

I’m a diabetic. No secret there. I use insulin to control my blood sugar. Again, no surprise there. I was informed, via social media with links to news articles, that insulin is a poison and all diabetics are killing themselves by using it. News flash! If I don’t take insulin, I’m guaranteed to die a really unpleasant death. While it is possible to have an insulin reaction (various forms, including allergic), it is very rare. So uncommon that it is barely mentioned in any journal articles. Yet, that one snippet of information is what people latch onto.

Another myth buster for you…diabetes is not caused by the foods you eat. It is a genetic predisposition. In Type 1, it’s autoimmune. In Type 2, you have the gene and something triggers it. While life style changes are an important part of managing diabetes, they’re not everything. If I had a penny for every time someone told me how “bad” something was for me to eat or how I “brought this on myself” through diet, I’d be a billionaire by now.

So, the common sense. An acorn falls from a tree and the sky is falling. Sure, you can look at things that way. Or, you can look around, observe a few things and maybe ask some questions before you determine the apocalypse is here.

Oh, and don’t smack my cupcake out of my hand. I’m allowed to have treats, just like everyone else. Everything in moderation!

Dream on
Dream about the world were gonna live in one fine day.
Dream on
Spend the night in heaven, I’ll be here to light your way.
Someday tomorrow will smile
But little girl in the meanwhile
Dream on~ The Righteous Brothers

Youngest turns 18 today. We just spent the last week checking out college and interviewing for jobs. It’s bittersweet to see my baby spread her wings.

You did what you wanted from the start. Your quirks delighted (and still do) everyone. You attended all kinds of activities, content just to be included. I’m sure you really didn’t enjoy all the sports and activities we signed you up for because your siblings were participants. You also learned a lot along the way, just by being part of things. You were the only girl to earn all the Girl Scout Brownie Try-its in your Troop. Probably because you had three times as many opportunities to learn things although your determination to finish what you started played a huge part.

And off to high school you went, ready to take it all on. Your first time driving with a license…your new best friend…sisterly love. And Minions. You didn’t let people tell you what to do. While you stayed near the beaten path, you certainly carved your own way. You found yourself.

So now, here we are. The big step into adulthood. Adult, yet not. I’m so very proud of the person you are and look forward to seeing you take flight. Dream on, baby, dream on.

I have many facets to the way I live my life. Not everyone is privy to all the pieces. Honestly, I think most people would freak out if they saw the whole picture. So I reveal bits at a time, see how the person handles that and then decide how much more to reveal. It’s actually a pretty common way to develop relationships.

It feels like I’m living in parallel universes sometimes. Not like deceptive, More like having flimsy curtains that divide different parts of me. I haven’t told my employer I am Autistic. I have told my children about my misspent youth. I have not explained my medical conditions to all of my friends. I do answer questions when asked. See, not so different from you.

I have learned how to manage in my world. That doesn’t mean I’m “cured” of anything, I’ve just figured out how to filter information. How to blend in with everyone else knowing that I’m different. Simultaneous living.

And it’s all good.

Don’t blink
Just like that you’re six years old and you take a nap and you
Wake up and you’re twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife
Don’t blink
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did~ Kenny Chesney “Don’t Blink”

For many parts of the United States, tomorrow is the first day of the Spring semester. I’m seeing posts on social media about cleaning out backpacks and trying to get the kids to bed. I’m also seeing posts of parents commenting how happy they are the vacation is over.

I guess I don’t understand that. I treasure the time I spend with my kids. It seems like their childhoods have flown past. One day I’m chasing naked toddlers around the house. The next I have three graduations to attend. In between were the sleepless nights, the illnesses, the whining and complaining. The days that seemed to last forever. The calls from schools. Medical panics. And now, my house is quiet.

I’m excited to see them take off on their own. Watching them stretch their wings and seeing the early flights. There will undoubtably be some touch and gos in this process.

Parents, I urge you to see the uniqueness that is your child. Capture that in your heart so you can pull it out later when the house gets quiet. Don’t get so lost in the minute that you miss the moment.

You can be amazing
You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug~ Sara Bareilles “Brave”

I really dislike this word. It’s not the letter’s fault that they fit together so nicely. It’s the way people have come to use this word as a qualifier, and not always in a nice way.

You look lovely, but losing a few pounds would help.

You’re so smart, but you really don’t have a clue about people.

You’re so lucky, but I wish you would stop talking about things.

But, you don’t look sick.

But, you don’t look disabled.

But, you don’t look Autistic.

Get the idea? It sounds so negative to me. Like I’m “less than” because I don’t meet whatever expectation you have. Or that I should improve myself in order to be considered “good enough.” I’m not against improvement. I would just like to know why it is so important to people that they feel the need to comment on my shortcomings….constantly.

Your challenge: Eliminate “but” from your vocabulary or at least reserve it for a time when you won’t be perceived as judging someone. Think about your words and the power you hold.