tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post3864749278435038611..comments2023-09-30T07:11:12.483-07:00Comments on pilgrimsteps: what has to be donejanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06538362162139679868noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-70146812289515474222008-09-08T05:08:00.000-07:002008-09-08T05:08:00.000-07:00You humble me utterly. As do each and every athle...You humble me utterly. As do each and every athlete at the Paralympics. You write so beautifully, you made me cry. Hope you keep finding the joy. Hugs from the other side of the world!<BR/>BBBBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14985371070644061676noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-46581115138908990152008-09-02T20:57:00.000-07:002008-09-02T20:57:00.000-07:00I got to this post from Dooce.com - and I think yo...I got to this post from Dooce.com - and I think you're amazing. I have cystic fibrosis. I know about wound care, IV antibiotics and nasty resistant infections. It's "what has to be done" for me too. <BR/><BR/>I really enjoyed reading this. Hang in there!<BR/><BR/>~CarlaCarlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15102582974921321651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-77021399671136685932008-08-20T19:20:00.000-07:002008-08-20T19:20:00.000-07:00hey with-an-h:Thanks for keepin' me humble, man. ...hey with-an-h:<BR/><BR/>Thanks for keepin' me humble, man. :)<BR/><BR/>BTW, I don't think the Filling Station has the OC's best pie. Bummer.janahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06538362162139679868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-20244014203239987122008-08-20T17:27:00.000-07:002008-08-20T17:27:00.000-07:00I banged my left knee against a desk a couple minu...I banged my left knee against a desk a couple minutes ago, and was like, "Ouch! How am I going to get through this?"<BR/><BR/>Then I remembered this post and was like, "I bet Jana could find a way to deal with the pain." And I tried your breathing exercise, and the pain faded over the next 20 minutes! It totally worked!<BR/><BR/>It also helped me get through my chapped lips last week. "I bet Jana would remember to apply Burt's Bees lip balm!"<BR/><BR/>Someday I hope to have my own kid who reassures me whenever I bang my knee or have chapped lips.<BR/><BR/>But in all seriousness, you have a wise daughter. Just tell her every once in a while to spell her brother at dish-washing. He should get a chance at drying and put-away too.John Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01148138073618817344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-21015315334855348682008-08-13T05:06:00.000-07:002008-08-13T05:06:00.000-07:00I found your blog just half an hour ago and the te...I found your blog just half an hour ago and the tears have been falling ever since. <BR/><BR/>I admire your honesty and bravery and I'm ashamed of my own lack of both. You make me want to be a better person - many thanks to dooce for linking to your site.DayDreamerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14640515206060002240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-54994129864918412912008-08-12T14:46:00.000-07:002008-08-12T14:46:00.000-07:00Beautiful and insightful.Beautiful and insightful.iJulshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14436474104993233283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-13731854346596702082008-08-12T14:18:00.000-07:002008-08-12T14:18:00.000-07:00That was beautiful. I wish I'd learned that lesson...That was beautiful. I wish I'd learned that lesson as young as your daughter has. <BR/><BR/>You're a lucky mom, and she's a lucky daughter.<BR/><BR/>Thank you for sharing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-69200686347906509322008-08-12T09:14:00.000-07:002008-08-12T09:14:00.000-07:00Oh man, I totally feel you. I had a heart transpla...Oh man, I totally feel you. I had a heart transplant in Dec 2006 and spent 3 1/2 solid months in the hospital. One month of that, I couldn't walk or do anything by myself. After my surgery, I was so atrophied from my month in bed, I couldn't move easily on my own for a long time after.<BR/><BR/>The words "do what you have to do" became my mantra as I needed help for everything. I couldn't even wipe myself. When your husband of only 3 months has to do that for you, that's a "do what you have to do" moment.<BR/><BR/>And frankly, it sucks. Things are better now, much better, but I've so been there. You have our support.Txgrrlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08479436160391707527noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-3628429119687745662008-08-12T08:35:00.000-07:002008-08-12T08:35:00.000-07:00Just found you via dooce.com...You have an amazing...Just found you via dooce.com...<BR/><BR/>You have an amazing daughter...wow, kids really have the capacity to understand where even we cannot figure things out sometimes. They are truly amazing. I'm so glad she's there for you. I'm off to read the rest of your blog now, I'm hooked :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-80356283235588298602008-08-12T06:22:00.000-07:002008-08-12T06:22:00.000-07:00That was beautiful, just lovely. Rock on, woman.That was beautiful, just lovely. Rock on, woman.Kelly Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12883744207287989665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-16362900355166173472008-08-12T00:53:00.000-07:002008-08-12T00:53:00.000-07:00As a one-handed guy from birth, I like this quote:...As a one-handed guy from birth, I like this quote:<BR/><BR/>"I seldom think about my limitations, and they never make me sad. Perhaps there is just a touch of yearning at times, but it is vague, like a breeze among flowers. The wind passes, and the flowers are content."<BR/> -Helen Kellerwildernesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13999865081309038701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-55273185689666196812008-08-11T22:33:00.000-07:002008-08-11T22:33:00.000-07:00Jana - what beautiful words. I just found you thr...Jana - what beautiful words. I just found you through dooce. I think we all amaze ourselves sometimes when we look back at how we just DO "what has to be done". I just wish, so many times, that I did it with more grace.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-50271209420550255432008-08-11T21:45:00.000-07:002008-08-11T21:45:00.000-07:00Thank you for sharing your pain, pride and wisdom....Thank you for sharing your pain, pride and wisdom. It makes me feel more human to know you exist.Suddenly Sixtyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00485864495467326344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-47130582858512072142008-08-11T21:33:00.000-07:002008-08-11T21:33:00.000-07:00My daughter just directed me to your site. Your w...My daughter just directed me to your site. Your words are powerful and I could relate so much to so many times of thinking 'it just has to be done.' I look forward to reading yor blog . . Love, BeckyBecky Andrewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10053287942631827068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-61384250973280671412008-08-11T20:40:00.000-07:002008-08-11T20:40:00.000-07:00It is 'what has to be done', but at the same time,...It is 'what has to be done', but at the same time, it is still somewhat of a choice. The alternative would be merely to wallow, to give up. By doing what has to be done, you are choosing to press on, to try and really live. So though it may not be all that unusual, I still call it courageous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-50188209459237973982008-08-11T20:38:00.000-07:002008-08-11T20:38:00.000-07:00What a beautiful post. You are inspirational.What a beautiful post. You are inspirational.Am I doing okay?https://www.blogger.com/profile/07341304561253341505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-18158469296552141262008-08-11T19:30:00.000-07:002008-08-11T19:30:00.000-07:00What an amazing woman you are. Thank you for shar...What an amazing woman you are. Thank you for sharing your strength through your blog and reminding us all to keep on doing "what has to be done." Sending lots of well wishes your way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-33738287313497685322008-08-11T18:39:00.000-07:002008-08-11T18:39:00.000-07:00When I was in the hospital recovering from almost ...When I was in the hospital recovering from almost losing a leg I met a friend recovering from an amputation. We bonded over the 1-10 pain scale, me with my 27 and her with her 600. In rehab together we did the things that had to be done. <BR/><BR/>I think at some point during those 6 months each of my friends came to me and said, "I couldn't do that." Of course you could, I'd reply. "You do what you have to do."<BR/><BR/>I think I forget that sometimes today. I've adapted and I'm not always in the moment. I complain about frustrations that really aren't that important. I appreciate the reminder and I wish you good health.<BR/><BR/>p.s., regarding looking at the wound, I think I managed to never look directly at my open wounds. Part of me is curious and would like to see the hospital photos, the rest of me is content not knowing.Zazzyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11801135411913940539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-311647959998007772008-08-11T16:04:00.000-07:002008-08-11T16:04:00.000-07:00(o)(o)Zhoenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03515663141425057088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-4442922805033376082008-08-11T15:27:00.000-07:002008-08-11T15:27:00.000-07:00This entry packed a punch and brought me to my kne...This entry packed a punch and brought me to my knees. It's a fine thing to find a gifted writer...they are few and far between. I look forward to reading more of you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-34853908972963131692008-08-11T14:44:00.000-07:002008-08-11T14:44:00.000-07:00My Dearest Friend,I am likewise moved to tears. A...My Dearest Friend,<BR/><BR/>I am likewise moved to tears. As another person with in this case a hidden disability, life has indeed been about "what has to be done."<BR/><BR/>But despite that, you of all people have taught me to value the droplettes of sunshine, of a good meal with your family and friends, of traveling to new shores, and embracing the unexpected gifts.<BR/><BR/>Right now, as I transition through this time in my life of new horizons coupled with loss, I am indeed dealing with near daily oxymoronic situations that both make me feel broken, shattered, and fully immersed in pain, yet with the realizations that indeed I am loved, respected, and brave. Old wounds that I had thought had healed are being re-opened, drained, cleansed, and from this horribly painful experience, I am slowly finding myself emerging from it a far healthier person, and I am finding that at times, doing what has to be done is less, and savouring the moment is also a reality.<BR/><BR/>Catgirl is right; we only know what we have. We don't necessarily wish for different once we've come to terms with it. Kids see through the crap. But that she was able to say that so compassionately to you is testimony to the loving, evolved parents that have raised her.<BR/><BR/>Finally, to know that the lessons on energy movement have become part of your being so beautifully honours me in ways you can't possibly imagine. <BR/><BR/>Namaste. YOU are my teacher.Dejah Thorishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00740061962887629484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-21030528781270804782008-08-11T14:34:00.000-07:002008-08-11T14:34:00.000-07:00Thank you for writing this. I was the daughter th...Thank you for writing this. I was the daughter that knew what had to be done and my mother died before we had a chance to share a moment like this.<BR/><BR/>Please know that your daughter will be stronger than you can ever imagine and love you forever.Heidi Reneehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01769414906479026143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-18142936252966769132008-08-11T14:27:00.000-07:002008-08-11T14:27:00.000-07:00This describes so well the feeling that I have whe...This describes so well the feeling that I have when people express pity about my kidney failure. I, too, am just doing what needs to be done, and trying to do it with as much grace as I can muster. Thank you for writing this.Tracy Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05310783668282179929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-63028328484728381022008-08-11T14:08:00.000-07:002008-08-11T14:08:00.000-07:00Wow. Nice post. I use my blog the same way, it's m...Wow. Nice post. I use my blog the same way, it's my therapy. I don't care about readership, or comments, or daily visitors, I only care that I get to go to a space and type some thoughts that have been packed inside my brain and are dying to be released. With each post I share a bit more of myself and I hope to some day share all of who I am with someone, but for now, I'll be content with sharing in tiny pieces. <BR/><BR/>We all have wounds, we all have stories, some more horrific than others, but how we deal with them, how we face adversity defines who we are as people. It isn't the easy times... it's always the hard. <BR/><BR/>God Bless and thanks for sharing a piece of you.Eddohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11791670508114906674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14231518.post-79132088230271064472008-08-11T13:59:00.000-07:002008-08-11T13:59:00.000-07:00I reached your blog through dooce and now want to ...I reached your blog through dooce and now want to read yours daily also. There is strength, wisdom and hope knowing others struggle, sometimes it seems that when in pain we are alone. ThanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com