Living It

THE HORSE. Just getting in from a weekend in Massachusetts where Jim and I spent with a bunch of crazy horsepeople (some of whom I mean literally) and I rode Laela in a show and took 2nd place - I was so proud of my girl! She is so stunning and so wonderful and we are just bonded at the hip, peri-osteroperosis and all! If someone would have told me 5 years ago that I would soon be parading in front of a whole lot of people on a very tall, magnificent, black horse who loves me so much that she calls for me the moment she hears my voice...that I would be wearing show shirts tucked inside tight breeches and with a form fitting jacket and knee high riding boots...and having the prescence and strength of body to communicate to this very powerful animal effectively enough to take 2nd place in a field of very qualified candidates...if someone would have told me that 5 years ago, I would have said, excuse you but you must be dreaming up some sort of bad Hollywood movie. Ah, Laela. If I could wish anything for you all, I would wish that you would find your passion...Laela is my passion and she is keeping me fit and away from food, for the most part. I'd rather ride Laela than eat. This is the secret friends. Find your passion. Then redirect your energy away from food and toward your passion. It's not 100% foolproof - I'm still eating crap food, way too much of it. I'm still slaying the dragons every day. But my energy is with Laela. THE SON. I woke Devin up at 6am just before we left for the horse show to tell him goodbye and this is what he said in his sleepy 14-year-old-will-I-live-through-his-adolescence-voice, this is exactly what he said: "I hope things go really well for you, Mom. I love you, Mom." Wouldn't most 14 year old boys say, good luck - bye - go away - see ya??? Not, "I hope things go really well for you, Mom." That one statement, and the way he said it, reminded me that we're doing ok - and he's going to be ok. THE LUMP. Had to go for an xray right from the doc's office and we'll take it from there. He said it's one of two things: a bone cyst (he won't be too concernced and we'll watch it); or an enlarged lymph node (not good, we don't want it to be this, could signal lymphoma, next step biopsy). I'm waiting on the results. The point is, my wonderful Marchers family, get out and LIVE IT!!! Your turn. Love, Maureen

sounds like a wonderful day! there is a couple at church whose son is basically the same child as mine and he is now 21. when ever I am at me end with Britton, they will smile and laugh and say it gets better, in VERY small steps but it does get better. I said to the dad who is VERY conservative (ugh) well when I look at you and then look at the Hell of a man Tom has become I feel encouraged! He was slightly horrified cause I said HELL,@@ but then realized there was a huge compliment in there. and it is true. Do what I do and hide those glimpses of the MAN your son will be deep in your heart and pull them out and shine them up when you need to. GLAD you got to the doctor and they are being pro-active! waiting for results just sucks... hugs to ya! Nic

I just had to say... I just took my son to the doc today because he had a small marble sized knot at the bottom of his skull in the back and very hard...bone hard. Scared me to death because he said he had it for about 2 weeks. Never bothered him and he never told me. SO the doc said that he thinks it was an enlarged lymph node because he was bit about 5 inches above the lymph node by a normal sized tick... but those ticks are nasty buggers they regurgitate their stomach contents into our blood streams and then the lymph nodes holds that bacteria and flushes, hence the enlarged lymph node. I have to watch it for 3 weeks and if it doesnt get smaller go back and have him check it out. Hang in there reenie! It could just be your body fighting something small. I've heard many people have them and its fairly common. My prayers are with you though! Try not to stress over it too much! ((hugs!)) Elizabeth M