Fluff

What does "fluff" have anything to do with anything?  Read on:


This photo is that of an endearing journal (cover) of which my loving Friend and Mentor has provided in an act of encouragement for me to continue my writings.

The background of my first story begins with my picking up this journal from the table and for the first time I really became aware of the softness of the white woolly, fluffy embellishment on the cover.  Superimposed on the white fluffy wool was the photo of the face of a sweet little terrier.
                                                                                                                                  
When I became aware of the overall design, I was reminded of my late identical twin Melodie who found some fun with the word "fluff".

 I am sure this exercise has been one in which she (Melodie) has guided my  generous and dear mentor in her giving me this journal to fill and do so with a light heart.

I fully expect that Melodie knew that I would, at some point, connect with the comforts she (Melodie) gathered over the years with the use of this word "fluff" and the unusual comforts that were acknowledged.  Her comforts were bi fold - in her very young years she had a piece of lamb's wool that she carried with her at all times and even into her early adult years.  I can recall seeing it in her snow boots, under her pillow, in her undershirt, under a hat, in a pair of mittens -- no bounds.  I am not sure what the significance was however the practice of needing her "fluffy"  began as a younger child would identify with a blanket.  I recall she and I discussing where she would put it under her wedding dress!!!  She apparently had it with her on the night of her accident (spinal cord injury - MVA)  We will never know her thoughts on the topic of her "fluff" as she has passed on and her perception of the "fluff" will remain unknown.   I should point out that the original piece of "fluff" was replaced on a few occasions -- Mother would come to the rescue and manage to find a suitable substitute.

Moving On:  In the second portion of this blog and on the subject of "fluff", Melodie came to realize that whenever the word "fart" was used, the individual saying it entertained the immediate audience.  Upon Melodie recognizing that "fart" would not be tolerated,  she could slide under the radar with the word "fluff".  This substitution added yet another scope to "fluff" ----one of entertainment among her siblings and friends.

Melodie was one of those individuals who, through a simple gesture or word, could cause a person to laugh so hard they would shake.  I happened to be one of her test cases --- at about the age of 10 years,  I recall walking home from a Sunday School play rehearsal, through a vacant lot, only to find myself sitting in a snow bank peeing my pants.  On that occasion Melodie introduced her new meaning to the word "fluff" and did so in a short rhyme.  Fortunately we were taking a shortcut home so I was spared public humiliation.  The more I laughed the more she entertained and I was never so glad to reach the door of our home...a momentary sanctuary as I had some explaining to do as my pants remained wet..

From that moment on, through to her life-passing, I was never safe from her witty ways.  I am sure her energy was seeking a moment of good cheer and through her means and connection with my mentor managed to entice me to write on this subject.....thus the subtle reminder by my sensing the fluffy portion of the cover of the new journal given to me by my dear friend who I fully expect has subconsciously connected with prior to this specific event..

Melodie would unexpectedly turn this to comedy / entertainment and often

 at the most delicate situations such as being present at
 an adult church tea.  We sat at a table of four and I
 found myself holding my breath on occasion as the
 remaining two seats would be that of "community".
  Our Mother and Grandmother would be dressed up
 and serving those at the tables.  We were often
 carefully watched by those in attendance as Mother
 put a great deal of effort designing and sewing our lovely
 dresses for the occasion...similar public events were
 often a showcase of Mother's talents.

On one occasion and  in keeping with the fact that there were two adults sitting at our table who didn't speak a word and sat in silence.  Melodie was uncomfortable with the lack of life at the table and therefore set up to change that and out loud said directly to me, "Mrs. so n so had a fluff"  I could barely manage to keep my composure and not make a fool of myself. Then there was the occasion on our school graduation....we stood in line on the stairs to a stage where a noted community individual would hand out a diploma and congratulate each student as they presented in alphabetical order.  As my name proceeded "Melodie", I was the first to go up and as I began, to present myself at center stage, I heard from the sidelines "don't fluff".  I must have appeared as the most excited student ever to grace that stage.

This method of changing the moment always came as a tremendous surprise and with the need to control my laughter.  To this day, when I see and/or touch something fluffy such as on the cover of the journal I mention is met with a giggle.

Thank you for your cheer, Melodie, and I am delighted you have found a Friend through my Mentor.

.....Nightingale

A Family Affair: Inherited Diseases

Photo:  A family picnic (prior to the birth of younger sister, Debra):  Father - Norman, Mother - Frances, twins Melanie and Melodie and brother Gerald:  photo 1950 (?)
(please excuse errors in spelling and grammar as the author is visually compromized)

During a recent family and friend gathering, I took time out to have a chat with my brother, Gerald (brother) who is approx. 11 months older than myself now 65 years young (and late twin).  An individual within the group  asked why does the surname "Elliott" come to the front anytime the issue of disability comes up?

I pondered a moment, and tried to explain (with my brother's help) that through adversity we have had opportunities to deal with tradgy beyond that of most families.  The friend asking the question seemed content with that response however when the friend was out of hearing range, Gerald (Gerry) and I remained engaged in the subject.

Gerry is a very private individual and speaks little of barriers that come with personal adversity.  On that particular occasion, howeve,r he broke his silence and openly described "a day in the life of Gerry".  He has silently struggled with Tourette's Disease and more recently symptoms of Becker's Muscular Dystrophy.  Gilbert's Disease (liver disease) also has presented itself.  Further into the conversation we recognized that we had not exchanged notes regarding family genetic-related disorders.  The information that came forth was astounding to both of us.

tragedy
Gerald's genetic defects points out that he has:
- Tourette's Disease - Grandson is now struggling with difficulties within the Autistic Spectrum
      (these two diseases are classified within the same category).
- Becker's Muscular Dystrophy and in five short years is wheelchair dependent,
- Gilbert's Disease, and
- Myopia (present in all family members)

Melodie and myself (Melanie) added a few to the pool as well:
- Osteoporosis
- Von Willibrand's Disease (blood clotting disorder)
- Heart Disease
- Aplastic Anemia
- Neurosensory hearing impairment
- Hyperextension of joints
(Melodie passed away six years ago from heart failure.  Melanie remains wheelchair dependent and with cognitive deficits from a non-inherited disease, namely an accidental exposure to an aerial sprayed chemical on a corn crop - this incident has left her with on-going neurological limitations including reduced blood flow within the brain)

- Dwarfism - experienced by an Aunt (sister to Father) has not resurfaced in my (Melanie's) generation and we can only pray that it will not appear in future generations.

Ironically, our younger sister, by eight years, has excaped all of the above.  One would wonder what was in the environment in the two-year span that caused multiple faulty genetic outcomes to rise to the top  (namely, in the two-year period in which Gerald, Melanie and Melodie were conceived).

Also, it is an auspicious coincidence that out of four siblings only a male sibling managed to give life to three exceptional children.  When I consider the more current picture (Gerald's children) - one son has Tourette's Disease and from my research,  the genetic component goes back on my Father's side.  Gerry's oldest Grandson now struggles with a neurological disorder within the Autistic Spectrum..... a disease that is included in the same category as Torette's Diseae.  The Von Willibrand's Disease was discovered in the late 1970's and has been the most distructive -- Melodie having been permanent paralysed due to the characteristics of this disease at the time of a fracture of her spine at the level of her neck.  Grandfather, Forrester Faulkenham, Mother - Frances, Melanie, Melodie and Heather (daughter of Gerald) have experienced intense hemorrhages from this disease.

a generation of Elliott siblings - Melanie,  Debra - back, Gerald, Melodie - front

The Elliott household approx. 1966:  Gerald, Mother - Frances and Father, Norman

, Debra, Melodie, Melanie

Gerald Elliott's immediate Family

 As a Health Information Manager, I have a  personal interest in the genetic history of my family.  Considering my own family's tragedies I have gained an interest in genealogy only to find that there are inter-marriages in my background.  This (and likely other influences) would account to the abundance of inherited disease that is of my family history.  

 I suspect these inter-marriages, in part, were due to the assumption that as a Faulkenham (Mother's maiden name) by a different spelling...would give reason for two indiviuduals not to be concerned that an inter-marriage would be a subject of contracversy.,  There are 28 different spellings of Faulkenham and my search spells out that all are ancestors with varied spelling of the same Christian Carl Falckenheyn, a "Founding Father" of  Nova Scotia in 1752.

It is my wish that Health Information Managers will support the need of identifying and disclosing inherited disease particularly when a "family tree" is constructed and registered in an archival setting -- "Information is powerlful" 

....Nightingale



Outside the Box: Health Information Administrators

ROLE ALTERNATIVES OF HEALTH  INFORMATION      ADMINISTRATORS

(please excuse spelling and/or grammar errors - author is visually compromized)

Role possibilities of a Health Information Administrator (HIA) presents a lengthy list requiring active hands-on experience and observations. A Health Information Administrator, with a particular interest in teaching methods of quality control or of other subjects, can reach out to the educational programs that promote skills of a chosen parameter.  The scope and range of topics are significant.  Additionally, the Health Information Administrator can provide learning experiences in the course of a private business (i.e. consultant) or that of an individual employed in a cooperate setting, example:   

A  Health Information Administrator can work in a Partnership with:

- an Altruist. The presentation of essential information from a Health Information Administrator (HIA) is a required tool for estimating life experiences, longevity and predictions,

- an Epidemiologist.  Example: an Epidemiologist may be required to set out to identify the causative factors and location of a population of children who were increasingly experiencing gastrointestinal  symptoms....an HIA, on the team, was able to track down an anomaly in her statical base (a disease indices) and through that foundation, locations were identified to be that of a small and specific community of young children from 2 to 4 years of age.  From commonalities in a disease indices it came to the attention of health officials that the very location was a specific daycare center. Further investigation lead the team to a contaminant in a locate water supply. 

- the Department of Veteran Affairs Canada, in keeping with Veteran's Affairs Canada's with their commitment to identify and support independent living among their population,

- the private sector.  A Health Information Administrators, working as a private consultants, have many hats and are worthy of the inclusion of a fee schedule for services (as described below),

- a community health service.  A HIA team player in a private medical clinic is one of many examples...i.e. a medical clinic's policies and procedures would require frequent review, auditing and recommendations for appropriate change,

- a proposal writer to support the necessity of new and/or sophisticated medical-related equipment,

-  a program of wellness-retreat weekends - incl yoga, dance, music, nutrition, recreation and art but just a few venues

 

- a consultant service in terms of electronic filing systems and information retention

 

- a service provider for the purpose of the creation of a life plan for an individual who seeks supported independent living...a lifestyle that is effective, achievable and valued. 

- the service of providing assistance to an individual who wishes to create an Advance Health Care Directive in combination with a Living Will,

- a consultant presenting the numbers that are required to forecast our health needs for the future

- your community and province for the purpose of creating, managing, directing a business of "navigators for care".

- others who are speaking to youth on career option,

- those supporting an individual who wishes to be an altruistic kidney (or other organ) A thorough and specific profile is essential and the ability of a Health Information Administrator to locate data through scanning charts and utilizing disease indices.  This can be achieved through a history, disease indices etc.,

- others supporting an individual seeking a donor organ,

- transplant teams who are required to maintain up-to-date records of individuals on a donor wait-list

- Emergency Department Administrators by providing assistance in an exercise to provide a flag system that has identified the need to quickly identify populations of patients who are living within the community and are at risk, example those who are deaf, with a bleeding disorder, a history of seizure activity etc.

- a team of medical professionals who are working together, in a community of a struggling 3rd world country.  Their purpose is often to gather information with respect to a particular disease and recommend an empowering, appropriate community self- healing/supportive program

- the administration of a Federal and/or Provincial correction institutions. The purpose would be to maintain an accessible medical record secure filing and accessible system.

- sport organizations by managing medical reports and statistics of coded injuries (including ICD-10 coding) and individual medical specifics of athletes.  A system of progress notes would be a component to this work responsibility

Nightingale

Moments with Melodie

- by Melanie Elliott, Author
(please excuse spelling and grammar errors - Author is visually challenged)



Sketch - "Melodie's Meeting Place" (A hammock among tropical-like trees and in an environment of beautiful white fine sand with a slight warm, soothing breeze).

INTRODUCTION  It is my hope that overtime you will experience insight and comforts as you read descriptions of Melodie's spiritual visitations.  Melodie, my twin has left life early and I am very serious when I speak of our continuing to experience our connection and have joy in the thought that we have many more celebratory visits before us.  You are likely curious as to how and perhaps skeptical that spiritual visits are the real deal.  I have no doubts that Melodie's visits are absolute.  Any doubts may well be eliminated as you read through this blog.  If you remain convinced that this is a figment of one's imagination -- explore the connection of identical twins in science and particularly those who have been separated at birth only to be joined in later life -- similarities, communication techniques etc. are outstanding and validating.



BACKGROUND:  In 1970, Melodie at 24 years young and a nurse, she travelled from British Columbia to experience her Christmas wedding in Nova Scotia with her family.  Within a few days for the wedding date, she and her "to be" husband were in a car accident and Melodie was rendered a quadriplegic.  They married while she was in hospital. With great courage and determination she embraced her gift to paint and became a partner of a British Columbia art gallery.  A few years after the first years of growth of her gallery she returned to her university studies with a goal of becoming an art therapist --- this she did achieve and actively worked in her career of choice in British Columbia. 

An actuary's opinion during post accident trial was that she would not survive beyond her 35th year. She proved all statistics and expectations to be wrong and quietly and peacefully passed away in her 54th year. 

Melodie left life after a day in Martinique swimming with dolphins and doing so in tandem with an individual who guided her throughout her dream of a lifetime. She was fearless.

Image:  Swimming with dolphins - a wish come true for Melodie who passed away the evening after her swim in Martinique.  She had a love of the water -- it provided her a freedom as she could propel her own body (without gravity) with the use of her shoulders.  A breathing apparatus, used in tandem provided her the opportunity to not only swim with dolphins but to scan the Great Barrier Reef of Australia two years prior. (Melodie is not in this photo)

As Melodie's identical twin, her passing left me (the author) with an incredible emptiness.   Time did not heal anything however it did make the situation a little more familiar.  I had sensed that she had left life and was a "being" in the spiritual/energy world in the form of white-light energy.  I kept this fact to myself for concern of being labeled as crazy or delusional.

FEBRUARY 2010
SPIRITUALLY CONNECTING WITH TWIN
In the absence of my weekly visit with an acupuncturist, John,  a new practitioner was introduced -- a now dear friend by the name of "Dr. Joe".  After a warm introduction he proceeded to give me information where he could be reached if I was in need of a non-scheduled treatment.  As he handed me the document, he startled.....with concern, I asked if he was OK and he confirmed all was well.  He explained that the level of pain he received when touching my hand was intense.  I was astounded and compelled to ask how he knew I had pain -- his response was that of he receiving my pain which traveled up his arm. 

He then had a great smile and I was compelled if there was something I should be aware of.  Oh, he stated i am smiling at your sister is now laughing at you and your typical manner of being over concerned.

Everything came to an absolute halt as his words were the first validation that Melodie is in my spiritual space.  I had so much to say to her, so much in need of hearing her thoughts however I felt that it was not the time or place to ask him to go into detail.

After he left the treatment area I was absolutely elated yet instantly feeling the comfort of relief - I had not realized the worry and concern I had been wearing for Melodie's peace.

Finally, I had connected with Melodie and that my greatest life-time wish for a spiritual/energy experience had occurred.  I was oh so hungry for more detail however satisfied with the thought of much more to come.  The event was a message that translated to an "Everlasting Melodie".  My failed efforts to connect were finally history and my focus was now to go about my world - one in which Melodie will always remain on my shoulder and not just the refusal to accept that she no longer existed.


MARCH 2010
CONNECTION - AN ESTABLISHED CONTINUUM

     After my regular acupuncturist John returned from a trip to Peru which was focused on his wish to expand on his interest in Shamanism an event occurred that ended all yearning for Melodie's spirit After a craniosacral massage he asked if I had experienced anything different or unusual.   I was somewhat amazed he did so as indeed there was a difference......I informed him that I had met a level of relaxation that I had never known before in my past lifetime.  This was followed by he asking if he could share some information with me.  I was anxious to hear what he had to say.

       His story began with the fact that he had witnessed a warm white aura around my body while engaged in the craniosacral massage and said he felt the light was my aura however in split second he recognized that the aura was that of Melodie.

     I was stunned, breathless, with heart pounding with great excitement all at one time.  He continued to say that she graciously asked if he would be  "the messenger" and provide me her message in words.  Melodie stated that she is with me at all times and very proud as to what and how I am continuing in life.  She informed me that she would be with me to make my journey beyond life as I know it.  She said she was looking forward to this and it will come in due time.  She encouraged me to feel that my next journey will be one of great reward, of goodness and strongly suggested that I remain calm as my turn to leave will come in due time.  She stressed that it was important to remain with a strong spiritual energy despite wellness status..

     John's communication with Melodie was in no manner that which many have experienced.....a spirit/mind energy mass to another spirit/mind energy match.  This mindful communication had been very much a part of communication between Melodie and myself --- I suspect, a known phenomena for identical twins who are reported to have their own mindful communication.  Just to add to the topic of communication, we, as twins in early years had a language of our own and when Melodie spoke with John she had used a few of the words I well knew. 

     I think that John was just as spiritually moved as I.  We both sat in a state of utter joy, and I with an absolute completeness.  I  looked at John informing him that he had just met my "energy buddy". "Rightly so" was his response.

      I asked John why he felt that Melodie would choose that moment to relay a message and he informed me that during his studies and recent experience in he Peru had enhanced his energy and a spiritual level as he moved through his passion in Shamanism.

     He left to continue on with this practice and I sat motionless in my residence in a silence that was seemingly sacred.  I felt such love for life and a great sense of being safe and without need for stress with respect to my leaving life.  In the following days, the conversation came to mind constantly and with each thought and memory, my place on earth and after life made a great deal of sense and was received with comfort.  Her message was life-changing.

                                                                           

    

SPRING 2011: 
A Visit in a Melodie Fashion

The strongest characteristics among the females in our lineage is that of superior dance, art and fashion gifts.  Having said that, gardening is our first love in the spring and summer months. 

In the growing season of Mother's garden her outstanding rhododendron compelled me to attempt to suitably capture it's beauty in my artwork.  After struggling to mix the right paint combination, I took a break and turned my attention images of floral, watercolor art on the Internet. 

Photo:  watercolor image (cropped) by Author and Artist, Melanie Elliott

Our Mum, also a painter had applied her talents to the subject and it had made it's way to the images that I was viewing.  I had recalled that Melodie had painted a rhododendron a few years ago and seeing her painting under the same site that I was viewing was a complete surprise.  I truly enjoyed viewing paints of my Mother and Melodie on the same subject.  The creative energy that was passed on to me through their works was empowering.



Image:  (sketch) of Melanie surfing her monitor screen for
inspirations for painting.

The following photo is that of Melodie Elliott-Clark, Artist and twin of Melanie Elliott, Author of this blog....following is the significance of this photo:
.  

Further into my "surfing", my monitor screen blinked and out of no where, Melodie's photo appears before me among the many images of floral paintings.    The surprise was horrendous and threw me back in my chair.  Hurrah, hurrah !! I vocalized......Melodie's spirit was in my presence and only in what would be her way, she makes an entrance that would match that of what Jack Nickelson.

Melodie stayed present for awhile....rare moments with two of us sharing our energized spiritual energies.  I realized that this event established a hope that Melodie is able to share her goodness and spirit with our Parents.

I had not received a visit of any description from Mother and Father and will continue to pray that they will let me know they are OK and that all is well within the family tree.

JUNE 2012
Melodie in Peace

     On a very warm, humid day painters were in my residence repainting the living and dinning areas.  I sat alone in the kitchen and was distracted from a mindless moment when noticing unexpected movement of shadows on a cupboard door. { I have a fascination of shadows and of light changes as we move through our day and often inspired by them in an artistic manner.}
     On the cupboard door a shadow within a lighted area was moving without a source of projection.  I watched it carefully to realize it was Melodie sitting in a hammock in a tropical setting.  For whatever reason I was immediately calmed and had a sense that this event was an extension of our communications that we have been experiencing.
      A tear ran down my face as it was my first visual sign that she was safe and content in her new journey.  In a sense - seeing validated my believing.  The setting also did not come as a surprise and I had a sense that I had been there.
     She was the first to communicate - oh so calm, so, so wise, radiant, with comfort, healing, and still with the humor and cheer that is so much a part of our Melodie.
     She had her hair drawn back in a bun with a crocheted accessory over it....it was a hair style she occasionally wore in her early 20's.  She appeared to be about 25 years young and moved with a soft energy.   She wore a light blue sweater and summer white pants.  She looked oh so petite, fresh, with joy and feminine.
     We exchanged thoughts in our voiceless mindful way and had a conversation on matters of her calmness and the well-being of loved ones.
      After about an hour's conversation we expressed our love and wish to be able to be present again in the near future.    In closing she explained that when I call her to me at a time of social confusion or with anxiety or depression that her visits would be difficult for her to achieve.  I somehow knew that these terms were of understandable standards and inclusions of our communications even before discussing it.

JULY, 2012
A Conversation with Dr. Joe - a Mentor
With caution and discretion, I spoke with Dr. Joe and asked if he could guide me in my participation with spiritual communication with Melodie.  He suggested that I select a location in my home in which provides positive energy and have a visual reference of Melodie from that location.  As time passes he suggested I would likely be making a corner in my home a shrine reflective of our spiritual bond and communications. (interestingly enough, when I was told this, I realized my writings were just that in an alternative form of a shrine).  At the moment, the comfort and quiet of my bed is a valued location from which I meditate and have chosen this as my meeting location with Melodie.  At the end of my bed is a large enlarged lovely photo of Melodie. It would seem that I have instinctively created a "meeting place" as Dr. Joe was describing.

He suggested I not try and communicate with Melodie when I am in a state of distress -- ironically, that Melodie and I had shared this topic in my previous visit.  He tells me that Melodie is very busy aiding others and that I must be sensitive that she too, becomes tired and losses energy to connect.  I told me never to become dishearten if Melodie did not come to me over a period of time.

Dr. Joe's suggestions and experiences gave me insight as to why I have not connected with Melodie over the past weeks.  I have been in a great state of stress with respect to health issues,  pensions, budgets and income.  These topics are becoming less intense so I can foresee our returning to more communication.

3 OCTOBER 2012
A Rescue from Melodie - Art Therapy in Action

After presenting my dilemma pertaining to stresses and the limitations it presents in my connections with Melodie, Dr. Joe assured me that Melodie was aware of the stresses I am dealing with and that she has recently sent me an individual to me  who is doing a graduate paper on all aspects of art therapy and anxiety reduction behaviour.

Dr. Joe's information was met with an "AH" so "that is where she (the student) came from".  This has been some of Melodie's work of intervention and in a form that she supported and was passionate about when she was with us.  OH how could I have been so short-sighted not to have recognized the source of the assistance I received through a graduate's study on art therapy and anxiety was well-timed and therapeutic.

I enjoyed the art therapy exercise and later that day returned to it and explored the strategies of the exercuse a little further.   I was obviously opening the window to my subconscious and in the process
I felt a strong need to forgive my Brother for a misdeed that was personally a hardship and I believe it extended to dishonoring our Parents.
Without hesitation, I typed up a note stating my pride in the fact that he has had the courage to re-start his life and despite disabilities continues to move forward.  I gave recognition that  he is showing good judgement and carrying out an exercise that our Parents could not achieve.  They had spent years of indecision with respect to re-locating to a home that better addressed their physical abilities however did not follow their wish to settle in a home that would better meet their needs.

I had no expectations of receiving a response however was elated to see his name appear on my computer monitor with the words "thanks, Mel...I sure needed some hugs".  I was speechless and absolutely astonished at the load this lifted from my shoulders. 

In the following day of the art therapy exercise, I had a strong sense of offering my Niece's son, little 8 year old Owen, the opportunity to be guided by an art therapist who has an interest in autism from which Owen struggles.  This idea was also an outcome of the art therapy exercise that Melodie initiated through the art therapy student I previously spoke of.

The latter has given  me a renewed sense of family.  Now, with my stress levels being reduced, Melodie and I can return to our connections.


5 October 2012
Melodie -  a -  Mother

     At  3:00 pm. I was extremely tired and took refuge in my bed.  After some meditation I felt much more relaxed and mindful of the day in passing.
     It was a cloudy day and out of the blue, I noticed a small bar of prism-related colors on my ceiling and knew Melodie's spirit and energy were present.
     Shortly after my recognizing her presence the prism disappeared and she re-appeared in a shadow form on the wall at the foot of my bed (near her lovely hanging picture).
     I sensed she was feeling as relaxed as I,   as she allowed her hammock (her meeting place) to  swing with the gentle  breeze. 
     The visual picture then enlarged and she had a little child cuddling up to her.  He, dressed in blue, was waking up from a nap.  Melodie stood up to pick him up and stroked his back as he became more aware and active.  When first, in her arms, he snuggled up under her chin and the bond, love and energy I witnessed was nothing like I had every felt in my life.
     Melodie looked toward me and introduced her child, David.  (I expected he was about 8 months old).  He squirmed to indicate he wanted to sit in the sand and play....Melodie sat him down beside her feet as he enjoyed playing in the warmth and textures under him.  As we were nearing our conversation, she sat down beside him and took his little hand and patted down the little holes and hills he had made.  She explained to him that Mother Nature would want the sand to be as it was and unharmed so that he could play there again.
     Melodie is certainly a picture of a Mother with an intense love, energy, bond and joy.  It was touching to see her as an appreciator of what I can relate to as "nature".
     I cannot imagine our communications offering an any better message than what I witnessed today.



25 October 2012
Moments with Melodie continued...
"Connecting with Coleen"
     Oh I wish my world would stop spinning.  I have been much too busy with doctor appointments and preparing a fifty-three page proposal for what I would consider as "memory aids" which the Services for Persons with Disabilities are willing to assist me with.
     This has been a time of frenzy and pressure to obtain three required quotes of twelve memory aids that I have identified.  While in this frame of turmoil Melodie and I have not connected.  I am well aware that when I am in a state of anxiety and/or turmoil my connection with Melodie is not available.....from speaking with other individuals who have this gift of connection with persons who have passed on I have come to understand that communications become inaccessible.
     While in this state I have greatly missed Melodie.  However, and to my delight, I have recognized that Melodie has connected with Coleen (friend) who, unknowingly, has carried through with the provision of a lovely surprise and one in which I know Melodie has had a "hand in".  Obviously, Melodie is missing me as I am of her.
     Melodie is aware of the therapeutic gains that writing provides me and out of the blue I received a lovely "notebook" from Coleen.  Melodie has come to my rescue once again....her provision of a notebook is received as a message that I should consider and engage more frequently in the practice of writing and consider it as a means to address the stress issues I am experiencing.
     When receiving the notebook, I was quick to call Coleen and explained what and how this has come about.
     I am without doubt that Melodie, did connect with Coleen's subconscious thus giving her a wish to provide me with a new book.
     .
        Bless you Melodie for connecting with Coleen as she truly understands the dynamics of this.





8 October 2012 - Thanksgiving Day
"O'Hara"

This photo is a facsimile of Melodie and Geoff's exceptional companion, O'Hara.  When visiting my twin on a weekend, O'Hara and I would be up with the birds and head for the farming area of the Fraser Valley.  It was an incredible de-stressor for me and O'Hara quite enjoyed his ears blowing in the wind with his head peeping out of the "roof window" of the car.  That particular countryside was British Columbia's jewel and each season provided new and energizing aspects of the valley floor and mountain sides......my favourite scenic view was that of Mt. Cheam which I have added below this paragraph.  From the room in which I stayed while at Melodie and Geoff's home had a bird's eye view of this magnificant landmark.

Mount Cheam, Upper Fraser Valley, British Columbia -- this is a landscape seen from my room when spending time with Melodie and Geoff.

"The Layers" - Poet, Stanely Kunitz

"The Layers"

The following are words by Stanely Kunitz, NY - {a favourite author/poet}
(please excuse spelling errors - author is visually challenged)

"I have walked through many lives, some of them my own, and I am not who I was, though some principle of being abides, from which I struggle not to stray.  When I look behind, as I am compelled to look before I can gather strength to proceeded on my journey, I see the milestones dwindling toward the horizon and the slow fires trailing from the abandoned camp-sites, over which scavenger angels wheel on heavy wings.

 Oh,  I have made myself a tribe out of my true affections, and my tribe is scattered!  How shall the heart be reconciled to its feast of losses? In a rising wind the manic dust of my friends, those who fell along the way, bitterly stings my face. 

Yet, I turn, I turn, exulting somewhat, with my will intact to go wherever I need to go, and every stone on the road precious to me.  In my darkest night, when the moon was covered and I roamed through wreckage, a nimbus-clouded voice directed me:  "Live in the layers, not in the litter."  Though I lack the art to decipher it, to no doubt the next chapter in my book of transformations is already written.  I am not done with my changes".

.....  In Memory of Stanley Kuntz (Poet Laureate, USA - 1995)

- Nightingale (author of blog Everlasting)

Road Rage: More Common than you Think



Has your organization implemented any initiative over the past five years to curb road rage?
Survey below demonstrates that 71% have not and 29% have addressed the matter.

                                                      

This past weekend I engaged a cab driver for a ride out of town. All was going smoothly until we encountered a line up of cars waiting on the highway for a construction crew to wave them by.

At the ten minute point the cab driver was becoming impatient and once the wait passed the 25 minute mark, it was decided that a call to the Department of Highways for information on the lengthy wait was in order.

He was informed that there was a road crew on the main highway that had encountered an unexpected delay in their task and it would be several hours until they could leave the site.  In the meantime there would be unscheduled delays.

It was obvious other drivers were disturbed and some with children permitted little ones to get out of the car and wander about.  This was quite disturbing to see as several cars left the line up and turned around placing them in the space where children were playing.  I expect they decided to leave the line in search for a detour via a rural highway.

 

Eventually the cars were able to proceed and this scene became my first view to what others have defined as the term of "road rage".  Drivers who were driving the speed limit became an obstacle to many from the line up and who very aggressively passed those attending to speed regulations.  It was a true picture as to what others had described. 

 

The level of agitation of drivers was explainable however the actions taken by many were out right to an accident waiting to happen.

 

An early and well displayed pre-warning sign to the delay would have prepared drivers to what they would encounter and given them the choice to be delayed or take another route.  Information is powerful and in this situation a tool to reduce risks of a multi-vehicle accident.

 

RCMP visibility would have also been a deterrent to those who have a tendency to act out when restricted by drivers obeying speed limitations.

 

The excessive speeds were evident for several miles and the level of risk remained extreme.  In my state of anxiety as a passenger I found a need to address the situation with the cab driver who reassured me that he would be keeping to the speed limit.

 

It is unfortunate that our seemingly need for speed and immediacy is now playing out at a level that the safety of others is of less a priority than ones wish to reach an intended destination.

 

Nightingale