Watching the sun rise

Spectacular!!

Aloha everyone!  I feel like I have been away forever! My trip to Hawaii was a much needed vacation to re-energize from the day to day routine of life.  I can honestly say however, that I am happy to be back home since I did miss my boys.  The picture you see here is absolutely spectacular and was taken in the early hours of the morning as the sun made it's way through the clouds.  While in Hawaii I had the privilege

Naturopathic Medicine ~Brenda Tapp

As I age I am always looking for ways of trying to be proactive and staying healthy.  As a Mother of three, a wife and having a career this is not always an easy task.  Our world is forever changing and due to technology and medical advances we are living longer.  As our population ages it is important that we try to maintain our health and the best way of doing this is through educating ourselves.

When a loved one requires care and you live miles apart.

CARE-GIVING LONG DISTANCE

Many of us as we age do not think of ourselves requiring care and hopefully we won't require care, but what if we do?  A concern for most of my clients and readers is who will care for us should we require care and what happens if our loved ones or support systems aren't close by?  It can be stressful and exhausting caring for a loved one, I know, I have and am living through care-giving.  It can even be more stressful and exhausting if your loved one lives far away.  Not all of us can move closer to our loved ones and in some cases it is not realistic to have our loved ones move closer to us, so what do you do?

What if you knew at a young age you would eventually get Alzheimers, what would you do?

As many of you know I blog regularly on the Forgetful not Forgotten website which is a site developed by Chris Wynn for caregivers and those with Alzheimers.  Chris has shared his personal story with many Canadians about his father who had early onset Alzheimers.

Knowing what you are good at, and doing it!

Living Through Change in 2010

I find that life can throw us a curve ball and when it does if you are like me you may sit there and wonder why.  Why has this happened?  What am I suppose to do with this? Where am I suppose to go now?  That seems to sum up my life this past year.  So I found myself pondering, and I stumbled across this video. 

In memory of a remarkable woman I called Mom

Eulogy for Mom O’Donnell

“The obstacles in life, we endure. For a time may leave you feeling sad. How can you know how good feels, if you’ve never felt the bad.”

Today I will speak about a woman who some of you, knew as Blanche, Deed, Aunt Deed, Nana, or Mom. To me I knew her as Mom. To the eyes of the world I was her daughter in law, but our relationship was more than that. We had a bond that only others would hope for, we were friends, we were confidants, and we were Mother and daughter. As her daughter I wish to share with you today the memory of one of the most amazing women I knew.

My life, entering the Sandwich Generation

Raising Children and Caring for Parents

As I entered my forties I started to feel that I would have some time on my hands for me, the kids were becoming more independent and still need me but in a different way.  I had only entered the full-time workforce in my mid thirties and I was searching for a purpose in life, something I could do that would make a difference to others.  At the time I was working with children who had special needs and as rewarding as it was working with these great individuals I knew the physical demands of the job would eventually catch up with me.  That is when I found my passion of educating others on the importance of having Long Term Care Insurance.

Cindy's Connection October

This is just a peek into my monthly newsletter

It is with a heavy heart that I write this issue of Cindy's connection.  Last Friday Oct 1st my family lost a young man, he was only 20 years of age.  He went suddenly from a rare liver disorder that was only just diagnosed earlier that week.    He was an avid hockey player, who had played hockey on many levels including the OHL last year.  My heart goes out to his parents, who I cannot even imagine the pain and loss they are feeling.  This young man will be greatly missed by all of those who he touched, and that would be many.  As a good friend once said, remember the time that we have on this earth, live, love and laugh, as the road we travel is one that is not always smooth, make lots of memories and hold the people that mean the most close to you.  I hold each and everyone of my family members, clients, colleagues and readers close to my heart, and I give thanks for knowing each and every one of you.

When you least expect it life throws you a curve

Life was moving along at a busy pace as usual for this family, until August of 2008 when John noticed he had a lump on his neck.  Now to some of us we may not think of this as a major concern, since swollen lymph nodes are quite common if you have a cold, sore throat, or strep throat which can be a few of the reasons for swollen lymph nodes.   What concerned John was that only one lymph node was swollen, so he made an appointment to see his doctor.  After an examination his doctor decided that they should take a biopsy. 

Dad moves to the Alzheimer floor

Planning ahead for the unexpected

A few weeks ago they moved my Father in law from the 6th floor to the 3rd floor, at first we thought it was just for a few days but soon found out that it was now permanent.  Today I went to pick Dad up to bring him out for a family dinner at our home.  I hadn't been to the third floor yet, which is the Alzheimer floor.  He was moved to this floor because he needed more care, since the Alzheimers is getting worse.  My husband had told me a little about this floor but you really don't understand until you see it for yourself. 

I arrive and it looks pretty much the same as the 6th floor just a different paint colour on the walls, but then you get to the main desk and there is a flurry of activity.  I scan the area and quickly pick Dad out amongest the crowd sitting in the television room.  He is ready to go, coat on waiting for me.  I had called ahead so that they knew not to get him set up for dinner.  Since I am a new face to these residents on this floor some start questioning who I am and where I am going.  I smile and continue to walk towards Dad.