Wonderful Poem by one of our own

MS hides, inside of me,
Invisible to the naked eye.
I can feel the MonSter
...Trying to make me cry.

It’s a part of me, it’s true.
That, I cannot forget.
It rears it’s ugly head
And some days are filled with regret.

There are some bad days
You’ll hear me complain.
But if it consumes me,
Then what will I gain?

I am still “Me”,
The person you’ve known.
Even though inside
The disease has grown.

I won’t allow it
To take over me.
To steal my laughter,
My smile or faith in “HE”.

I choose to laugh
About my life.
To handle it with grace
Dignity and less strife.

So laugh with me, smile with me
But please remember this:
There is rarely a moment
That MS does not exist.

But through it all, the highs & lows,
I have my family & friends.
Remember I’m still “Me”.
I will not let MS be my end!
By Tammy Malkowski 1/30/2010

Living a day with MS

I have not posted in awhile but felt it was time.  Traveling for the past 4 months has really shown me the difficulties, and yet the triumphs of living each day one day at a time.  As we journeyed towards California this summer I experienced some wonderful times and some low times.  I would not know each day how the day was going to proceed.  Just small things such as "parking" an RV a long way from the door to the restaurant or the service station made it quite a trek to get places.  The constant climbing in and out of the cab became wearisome.  When my eyes decided to double, as they often do, I could not follow the map or follow the beautiful countryside.  There were days that fatigue would set in and lethargy. BUT. . .
On a lighter note; I was able to see my family.  We spent months playing with the grandbabies.  Helping out our daughter in her business.  Baking cookies.  Visiting the wonderful mountains and rivers and lakes around Northern California.
My words to you today; DON'T LET YOUR DREAMS FADE.  Just because you are having a bad day today does not mean you will have one tomorrow.  When you are feeling great, get out and enjoy it.  When the rough times hit you as they are sure to do, lay back, relax, soak in a good book and warm bath and allow your body to recover.   Just know that this too will pass and tomorrow might be the best day yet.
Thanks for listening,
Leola

poem from Karma Jones

*There may be times when you feel
as if you have taken a million steps towards
your dreams, and acted on your plans, only to find
yourself in the same place that you began from.
At times like this, you must not give up.

You must continue on. Though you may feel
lost, bewildered, and alone, continue to believe
in yourself. Do not allow discouragement and
doubt to blur your vision and wash away
your dreams. Visualize your way beyond the
detours, standstills, and obstacles.

You will realize your dreams. You have
worked hard and taken so many productive
steps in a positive direction that you are bound
to succeed. Whatever the hurt of the moment
may be, it will pass. Tomorrow is always a
new dawn. Today, you must pause, rest, catch
your breath, and then look ahead. Each step
will bring you closer to your dreams. The
rainbows and the love that you deserve are in
sight. Happiness is just around the next turn. *