Ushering in March

        Ever wonder why February is a such short month?  That's because we all can't wait for winter to go and for Spring to start! Who is not ready for the scent of flowers, gentle breezes, light showers? March cannot come any sooner!

        March 2, Saturday! Yes! The first Caregiver Breakfast of 2013 happens! A while back, in the early years of the Ohana, we organized breakfasts on selected Sundays, exclusively for caregivers. In private as well as  during meetings, caregivers had always expressed the need to get together and talk story.  I added the part where they do it while eating ono grinds.  Gathering caregivers together was also a way of empowering women, who generally, take up the responsibility of family caregiving. In the spirit of fun,  we joked that men who wanted to join needed to be bestowed the title, "honorary women." The many get-togethers that followed were always well attended, especially when we chose to alternate the breakfasts with afternoon teas.  Hoping to build on this success, we would like to reinstate these outings beginning this Saturday, again, for the same reasons - to offer respite, camaraderie and exchange of valuable caregiving wisdom.

     In the spirit of abandon created by our "March into spring", our regular meeting will give way to another social, "forced" upon us by reason of an unavailable room at the Queen's Conference Center.  Our "Spring into Spring" event will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 5:00 - 7:00 pm, half an hour earlier than our usual meeting time, at Ala Moana Beach Picnic Site #30. Conveniently located close to the handicap parking stalls and the comfort station, this spot has been our favorite.   Please bring a potluck dish to share.  A glorious sunset comes guaranteed.

     Then, on March 30, Saturday, we will have a baby shower for Tami and George Honzaki.  Tami's dad, Lloyd Fujino, had ALS; so did George's mom, Elsie.  Tami and George both came to support group meetings with their parents. When both parents passed away, Tami and George continued to come to support group meetings and participated in all events of the group.  We lovingly watched in the sidelines as a romance blossomed in our midst. We were happily there when they eventually walked the aisle.  And now there's a baby girl making an appearance by Stork in May. Some group aunties are stitching together a quilt for her.  Naturally, a baby shower is in the works at, where else? Paul Gagnon's home, where the wedding shower was held!  We will talk about the details on Saturday and will post them here...

     That should wrap up March and we look forward to April!!!

Ode. Once again

Why take two steps

The last one just ended

In a ditch;

The colors are off and

The note is written in sap

Take it easy.

Oh, take it easy.

The chemistry is gone

Awry.

But I hear you 

In seamless harmony.

I ain't going yet.

And when I do, I ain't going far.

Only to the closest star.

It's About Love

     'Tis the month of hearts, after all, so what's more apt a topic than love? Families living with ALS need oodles of love, not only to survive, but to thrive.  What kind of love is that which nurtures the ability to rise above mere existence?

     A nurturing love is the kind that takes commitment seriously. A person with ALS needs the assurance that he can depend on someone's caring. When one is vulnerable to a disease that saps physical vitality, erodes self-confidence, and keeps one feeling helpless, it is only too easy to succumb to despair.  To rebuild despite the daily destruction of muscle and image, one needs constancy in others.

     The only thing predictable about ALS is the fact that it is a willful, tireless, petulant and capricious enemy. Its course is highly individualized which makes it hard to generalize from the population it affects. One can only hope that, for the victim, it decides to be indulgent. Those of us who love need to persevere through the ups and downs that mark the course of the illness.

     When we say our love is strong, we must mean that it is strong enough to realize its imperfection - that it can wane,  not because it no longer cares, but because it also needs nurture. It should seek ways to renew itself - like a soldier in battle that understands he needs reinforcement with sleep, rest, food, respite, fresh supplies. We who love should seek to maintain equilibrium in ourselves so we can deal with daily chaos and an uncertain future.

     ALS is relentless. Our love should likewise be.