A few weeks ago my brother-in-law John, suffered a stroke. He is only 67 years young. Fortunately, my sister LuAnn realized his behavior was very erratic, and called 911. They live in the Dallas area, which has many excellent hospitals. The paramedics recognized his symptoms, and took him to Baylor University Hospital, a certified stroke facility. My sister was very impressed by how quickly the hospital staff treated him. When a stroke is suspected, timing is critical.
By clicking this LINK, you can learn more about the signs of a stroke. Please take a moment to do so, as you can help save a life. Remember to think F.A.S.T.
John is at home, and going through daily outpatient rehabilitation. It has been a slow process, and his long-term prognosis is not fully known at this time. My sister is remaining positive and just trying to take things one day at a time. If you are a praying person, I know they would appreciate keeping them in your prayers.
And if that isn’t enough for my sister to deal with, she is also trying to teach her daughter Alicia how to drive!
It has been a while since I have seen John, LuAnn and Alicia, so I do not have a recent picture. The one below is from a breast cancer walk that I participated in down in Dallas in October 2009 with John, LuAnn and Alicia. That little girl just to my sisters left in the pink head scarf is Alicia, now all grown up! (Watch out Dallas, she has a learners permit!) My sister has beaten cancer, so I know she has the strength to get through this.
Alicia, LuAnn and John
Two Sundays ago I learned from my sister Margie that her brother-in-law, David (a/k/a Lumpy), had suffered a heart attack. He is only 58, and is recovering after having a stent put in his artery . Please keep him and his family in your prayers as well.
And here is the link for recognizing symptoms of a heart attack.
Hearing things like these give me a lot of mixed emotions. I have debated writing about this for a while now, but it keeps gnawing at me, so I decided to post a blog. Normally I like to keep personal matters to myself. I feel very blessed that we have been able to fulfill our dreams and live the RV lifestyle. The number one reason we are out here doing this, is because life is not guaranteed. After working in a hospital, and seeing how quickly life can change, I just wanted to get out and live life. If I die tomorrow, I can die happy.
But, I just wish we were more mobile, so we could go and help out when needed. I would love to be able to drive down to Dallas and help my sister out. We would also be able to attend more events with family and friends, such as weddings, graduations, funerals, class reunions, baptisms, etc., which we have been missing.
I don’t have any regrets about what we are doing, and I certainly don’t want to go back to a stationary life living in a house full of stuff. I just need to start looking into other sources of income that we can do on the road. I need to find a ‘work from the RV’ job, so we can be more mobile.
I have been spending a lot more time pondering the value of life. Fortunately, cleaning cabins doesn’t require a lot of thought, so I just quietly scrub the toilets while I think about things. I am thankful that we do not have television out here in Moran, Wyoming. There is just too much ‘noise’ going on in the world right now. We spend too much time worrying about things beyond our control. Too much time on social media. Sometimes we forget what is really important in our lives.
So take some time and hug your loved ones. Give them a call, write a letter (yes, snail mail) and plan a get together. Just try to enjoy life! Don’t take it for granted.
Quote for the day: “I believe every human has a finite number of heartbeats. I don’t intend to waste any of mine.” – Neal Armstrong
Liv2RV 
What a great blog post, too many people take their lives and their health for granted. Maybe your post will get people too pay attention to themselves and taking better care of themselves. I sure hope so and know that they are all in my prayers. Thanks.
Thank you Rose! We appreciate your kind words. Take care and hugs from us!
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So true, Jonell. We never know what tomorrow is going to bring, so live each day to the fullest.
Yes, but we always seem to get caught up with being “busy”. I think I just need to attach a reminder to my bathroom mirror !
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Amen! Prayers for your family as they are dealing with such challenges, and for you and Dan not being able to be by the sides of all of them! What a wonderful post! No, we cannot take our life for granted, and thus bless each day we are given! How hard that is to do! Yet, how easy, if only we would take a break from the noise assailing us and listen! Bless you, Dan and both your families! And for all human kind, certainly myself included, to be able to stop and give thanks.
Mary Lloyd it is so great to hear from you! Thank you for the prayers and kind words. Are you going to Amazon this year? We plan to go to C-vile 10/30
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What a beautifully written blog post, thanks for sharing your thoughts! Life is meant to be lived and enjoyed! We’ve all heard it over and over, you never know what the next moment will bring.
I have just learned about John earlier today, and about Lumpy in your post. And I will know perfect health for each of them.
It is said, “ask and you shall receive”, and ” it is done unto you as you believe”. These are powerful statements. Believe in the power of prayer as prayer is a mighty and powerful medicine!
Thanks Sue. We hope you and Al are doing well. I know LuAnn would appreciate hearing from you!
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I hope your brother has a full recovery! Your blog was very insightful. Life is too short indeed. I find myself worrying too much. It’s time to enjoy life and appreciate everything and everyone in my life!
Your NICU Froedtert friend,
Karen
Thanks Karen. You see every day how precious life is. John has lost the vision in one eye, and limited vision in the other. Simple tasks, such as using a toaster are difficult. Complicated tasks, such as taking apart his computer and putting it back, he can do. The brain is such a complicated thing.
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What a great reminder! We are all in this lifestyle because life is too short. Prayers for your family members, and you guys too!
Thank Laurie. We hope you and George are having a great summer!
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Will keep your family in our prayers. My husband and I are running the roads working claims. Hopefully we will be pulling our RV. God bless!!
Thank you Cindy! Have a wonderful summer. Hope you will be in an area where you can view the Eclipse on 8/21
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Thanks for the post Jonell. You are absolutely right about everything. It is scary how young your relatives are and suffered a stroke and heart attack. We will keep them in our prayers. Our daughter has just celebrated her second anniversary of her cancer diagnosis, and is now 1-1/2 years cancer free (28 years old now). Take care – maybe we’ll meet up with you in Texas sometime.
Thanks Gayle. Glad to hear your daughter is doing well. Way too young.hope to meet up soon.
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Praying for your family! Try work campers for more work opportunities. They have a lot of posts
Thanks Marty. Yes, we do receive the daily hotline emails from workcamper. It certainly is a good source of information.
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I enjoy reading all your blogs, but I especially like this one. Lots of true and good things to think about.
Thanks Nettie!
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