Jodie's Journey

Strength and love...  When I think of my Mema, Nina P. Holloman, that's what comes to my mind. She is the strongest person I have ever met. I have always felt like she loved me more than could be put into words. Just this week, I stopped by to drop off a ham biscuit for her. I stood in the kitchen. When she heard my voice, her eyes brightened and she lifted her head. I said, "Hey Mema, I love you." She said, "Hey" in the sweetest voice. My heart leaped. Today is her 85th birt hday. The last 15 years of her life have been difficult due to Alzheimer's, but her sweet spirit hasn't changed. She is still the same Mema who made me feel loved beyond measure. Her touch is still genuinely loving and her smile says it all. She knows we love her and she does her very best to show us in return. Happy Birthday Mema. I love you more.  Jodie Leigh

Trepidation Fear can be a paralyzing emotion. I have tried to avoid the television and news over the last couple of weeks. I know my tendencies and it’s just better for me to focus on things that I can control. PTSD is a real thing. It rears its head when things change in our lives. My bouts with PTSD come and go but they tend to coincide with trauma or environmental stressors. This social distancing is easy during these times. I am fine pulling back into myself because this alone time lends itself to reflection. We all need to pay attention. People are dying. One day they are fine and the next, they are fighting for their lives. The physical toll from being placed on a ventilator is enormous. I know this personally.   I have been there. I have begged for a tube to help me breathe. The ramifications are felt for years after the event. Over the last 3 years I have felt the effects of being on a ventilator and research shows that it can take up to ten years to recover from post...