Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Missing in Action

It has been a most difficult year, but, most of the time, I do OK.

I have been off of blogger, both writing and commenting, for awhile because of a loved one's health.  You know these things will come to us all sooner or later, but we are never fully prepared to accept how hard it is to deal with.  My love had no sooner recovered from the big C when his heart became a problem.  We have been through an emotional roller coaster this past year and sometimes I just want to scream.  He, though, is so very brave and pushes on and I know he has the spirit and fortitude to get through this.

Last night, there was another big blow that rocked us to our core.  What started out as a day of hope turned to despair. I know that I have to pick myself up and move on, but the wound is great and it will take time to heal - about four years.  I was ready to toast with a glass of fine wine last night to a brave lady, Hillary, who tried her best but failed to break the glass ceiling, but the thought of any spirits made me ill.  Hopefully, soon, there will come a day when my stomach won't be out of sorts and the sun will shine and I will once again enjoy the good life, or at least one with less anxiety.  


54 comments:

  1. You never let on about your life and some of its long-term challenges. Hoping for your beloved's health and praying for you. I promise.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I try to keep my post light and uplifting as I know that everyone is trying their best to cope with their own life's problems.. Thank you Susan for your caring words.

      Delete
  2. Being a caregiver in any capacity is both rewarding and difficult. Ive been on that same roller coaster, it ain't easy.
    Suggestion: toast Hillary anyway. She won the popular election by a hearty margin, and that has to count for something. I'd say you both deserve a bit of raised glasses.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She was an inspiration, wasn't she. She tried her best and never lost her cool. She came so close.. I admire her so much.

      Delete
  3. I hope your loved one's health improves. As for Hillary I think Mittens suggestion is best.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think the people in the US will be drinking a lot more for the next four years. That might be the only way to get through this horror of a human being.

      Delete
    2. I'm wondering if we shouldn't back off and enjoy the vaudeville show. We don't have much input into any of it, beyond pissing and moaning, but there could be a certain entertainment value in watching the ship of state settle gracelessly to the bottom of the ocean...
      always remember the band played on to the very end when the Titanic went down, we may have the same going on here.

      And I do cling to the fact that a President doesnt own the office, the office owns him. He has to please a great many people on a daily basis to get his plans put forth. It's not like issuing commands from a desk in an office...

      Delete
  4. I absolutely feel the way you do. The questions, hurt and disappointment are definitely comparable to some of the worst events this country has experienced.

    I pray your husband does well.

    Jane

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The stress of everything keeps building up and last night I just wanted to run through the streets and scream. The media is so responsible for what we are facing now.

      Delete
  5. I am so sorry. I have ridden the medical mayhem merry-go-round, and am still in shock at yesterday.
    The world has changed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We do what we have to do and we do it with love. We are woman and we are strong. However, we were gut punched the other day and the world will never be the same.

      Delete
  6. From what I've know about Hillary she won't want us to feel sorry for her, but to carry on her fight for inclusivity and social justice in whatever way is appropriate or possible for her supporters, by holding the new President and his team to account and scrutinising policy. Just as I will carry on the fight for the EU in my way, as I felt equally shocked and dumbfounded on the day after the EU referendum. I am a proud and unbowed member of the 48% who believes that on balance there is more right with the EU than is wrong with it. I respect reasons why people voted in a different way to me. My task is to continue to question the UK policies and make sure that no more lies are pedalled.
    Remember that Hillary won the popular vote. Her concession speech was dignified, heartfelt and positive. I can't believe that that the outcome green different that Mr Trump would have done the same.
    Courage and best wishes to you both as you deal with the health issues.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sorry, I intended to say "had the outcome been different".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Trumper is visiting the White House today. I am sure he is looking for a place to put his hugh Trump sign. He laid out his plans for his first 100 days. He is a monster.

      Delete
  8. My vote and my sympathies are with you, Arleen. I have a great respect for Mrs. Clinton and woke this morning to utter disappointment. I'd never been mad at 59 million people all at once before and now feel lousy. My best wishes to you and yours for recovered health and cheer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish my feeling was only disappointment, Geo. It is more about fear and what dark hole this man will lead this country. He has the house and senate so he has a clear path to whatever he want. Then there is that order concern - will he paint the White House gold. And how big will the Trump sign be.

      Delete
  9. I'm sorry you and your love are going through a tough time, Arleen. I wish Life would stop throwing curve balls! Keep your chin up...and never lose your smile. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a tough year you have had and yet you remain so positive. Despite yesterday's earthquake, I do hope things improve for you soon.

    ReplyDelete
  11. It's been a hard, hard year. Now we just keep going on. Good luck to us.

    ReplyDelete
  12. The Spring of 2015 was a sad time for me with three unhappy things happening one after the other. Over a year's time things were grieved, accepted or resolved. I wish for you the peace of one day waking up and knowing things are O.K, perhaps not in the way you wanted, but on terms you can accept. As for your new President you and people you know will carry on being the good decent people you are-that will not change.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know that day is coming, Susan. Everything takes time so we can learn and more appreciate what we had and what is.

      Delete
  13. Sorry to hear you`ve been having a rough year of it. I do hope things settle down soon for you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I live in hope all the time. Sometimes though, I fall down and have a good cry, but life and love always makes me get up.

      Delete
  14. I'm so sorry to hear that you have been having such a difficult time. I checked on your blog just the other day and noticed you hadn't posted for a while and hoped all was well. I know how you feel about the result yesterday. We had something that felt extremely similar in England with the Brexit vote. Of course, we are an unimportant country compared with the US and your politics will affect us far more than ours affected you.... but it is surprising how similar it all feels. In the end you get to feel inoculated to it and start to think of how to make things better. I wish you and C a much, much easier time of it this year. We are so lucky in the First World to have access to proper medical care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The big C stands for cancer and with three months of treatment, he beat it. We thought the bad days were behind us and then this happened. Life always has surprises for you, but we deal with them as best we can.

      I am very worried about the political picture for the US, but I will keep praying for a miracle.

      Delete
  15. Oh Arleen, I'm so sorry that you and your Beloved are going through a rough time. Keep strong and know that you only have to go through one day at a time. My family, friends and neighbours have been more supportive than I could have ever envisaged or even hoped for. I hope that's how it will be for you too. Take care. Love Molly xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is in the difficult times that you really learn the value of family and friends. I am so glad to hear that you are surrounded by the warmth of love during your difficult days. I am blessed to have family and friends around who I can always count on for help. Part of me, though, likes to think I can still do it all, myself. The stress gets to me at times and I appreciate it so much when people just step up to help without me asking. I am blessed.

      Delete
  16. I'm so sorry to hear of your DH battling such adversity with Health and the anxiety is is also causing you... I can relate. I am glad you have a great support network that are trustworthy and a present help, that is invaluable. As for the post-election Blues, well, I've pretty much exhausted my range of Emotion about how disappointed I am that the America I thought I knew probably doesn't exist and the ugliness is now front and center and cannot be denied or explained away... it just is... and I'm distraught to be confronted with it infesting a Nation I Love but which I no longer recognize. I shall just have to move thru stages of Grieving over it I suppose... Hugs from the Arizona Desert... Dawn... The Bohemian

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Dawn, for your kind words.

      As for the election, life goes on, the hurt and disappointment will subside, and we will come back stronger and smarter next time.

      Delete
  17. So sorry to hear of your husband's health problems. Prayers being sent for you both. Keep the faith; keep your eyes on what matters most; what's the best we can do now?.....just keep moving on. God bless you both.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Linda. I see him getting better every day and with time, he could be better than ever.

      Delete
  18. Arlene, I understand your feelings about wanting to keep your posts light and uplifting, but we're not just your fair weather friends, ya know. Sharing your not-so-light concerns with us might help lessen your burden a little. I'm so sorry about all of your hubby's medical problems. Here comes all kinds of good thoughts, healing prayers, and positive energy your way...

    assuming I have any positive energy left. Like a lot of other people, I've been devastated by the outcome of the election. "My' candidate didn't win lots of times in the past, but in all of those cases, even though I didn't agree with the winner's politics and proposed policies, I at least found the person to be likable, and I never doubted that person's patriotism and genuine desire to serve the country well and represent us honorably to the rest of the world. Not this time. Heaven help us all. I hope I'm wrong.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for you very kind words, dear Susan.

      I am hoping that the good Republicans who rebuked Trump for his words and actions, will keep us safe.

      Delete
  19. Arleen, I'm sorry to hear that your husband has been having heart issues. He's very fortunate to have you helping him through this, and I'm sending lots of good thoughts and well wishes your way. I share your sentiments about our new president. We just have to hope for the best, and stay as positive as possible. I know it's easier said than done, but it will help you both take better care of each other.

    Julie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Julie. We have a long road ahead of us, but like all the other times when he has gone through difficult health problems and beat the odds, he will get through this also. He is a strong, stubborn, brave man. Like a cat, he seems to have nine lives and he is only on #7.

      Delete
  20. Arleen, I am so sorry your husband has been ill. I am holding you both in my thoughts and prayers. I voted differently from my friends and have had to read and listen to the hatred. I was not committed to either candidate, but respect for my fellow humans of every race and faith was what pushed me over the line. As I walked into vote, I prayed the prayer I repeat every morning before I walk into the classroom. I ask that I do no harm. Sending you hugs friend. I am praying for quick healing for your husband and for our country.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Still catching up with you dearheart xxx

    ReplyDelete
  22. Dear Arleen, I'm glad you shared with us your reasons for not blogging lately and I understand the great anxiety that you have experienced, but how wonderful that three months of treatment has been successful for your husband. Like you we have had a very hard year, with the death of five friends and another in hospital last week for an eight hour operation for cancer. (That was the reason for our stay in Yorkshire.) Like your husband I also have a heart condition. I choose not to talk about these things on my blog but concentrate rather on the beautiful world around me, but when I look at other bloggers lives I'm aware that beneath their words and pictures there will be a life, like mine, that is made up of a fair mixture of both joy and sorrow.
    The American election has had us Brits enthralled and horrified. My own feeling is that your great country simply wasn't given a choice - were those two people really the best you could come up with!!! Brexit, Trump and the poisonous Putin - the world as gone to hell in a handcart! I'm trusting that checks and balances, common sense and a desire to work for what is honourable will put up a good fight against all this stupidity.
    All good wishes for return to good health and happiness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, all we need is common sense, but that doesn't seem to be be around much anymore.

      Delete
  23. I'm sorry to hear you've been thru such tough times, Arleen. I hope that's all behind you from here on. It's time to draw those close to us even closer. We'll weather this, but it won't be pretty. Glad to see your post.
    x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nothing is pretty lately. Kindness went on a holiday and we are left with the meanies and the angry.

      Delete
  24. It really doesn’t seem to end, does it. Like you, my loved one has been very poorly since almost the beginning of 2015 and there is no end in sight that would make it all go away. Ageing is not for cissies.

    The shock of the election still reverberates here too, it is so hard to believe.

    Shall we dig a hole into the ground, take a bottle down with us and hope for better days.

    Good luck to all of us.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I'm so very sorry for your worries. I hope somehow the despair lessens and hope comes back. I'm quite depressed about Hillary too. I'm ashamed of the US for electing Trump. :(

    ReplyDelete
  26. I am trying to move on and ignoring the news, Lrxa. I am so disappointed in the American people for choosing hate over all else and my hope is that in the end, good will triumph.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thanks so much for leaving your sweet comment on my blog. If you have a regular email address would you send it to me? I thought I had it but now I can't find it. You can send it to dianakos1@gmail.com Thanks so much! xo Diana

    ReplyDelete
  28. Stopped in to see how y'all are doing and hope your husband is getting better. Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving? Yes, it did look like everybody was on the beach here on Thanksgiving...you asked who does the cooking, LOL---most people cook and eat their big holiday meals and then go out on the beach! Please keep us posted on how things are with y'all if you can please? Thinking of you...

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'm not sure how I missed this post until today. I'm so sorry to hear that your love has been suffering with major health issues this past year. I hope he is getting better. And as for the election, well that's probably why I missed this blog when you wrote it. I was in a deep, dark place over that one. Anyway, I hope it helps to know that there are so many people out here in blogland who care about you.

    ReplyDelete
  30. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete