Last night, I shared a wonderful dinner with a close friend who really brightened my spirits. It’s funny how I sometimes feel like I don’t have any friends, but I realize I take responsibility for that. It would be selfish to expect everyone to come running to me to make plans. Tierney said she was just thinking that recently, it was God scheduling our plans. Remember, I had dinner with Natasha last month. That really boosted my spirits, too. Look at me being all social and stuff🤪. Spending quality time with her reminded me of how important connection is, especially when you’re juggling the complexities of life.

We talked about my brain injury and how forgetfulness can be a daily challenge. I shared a recent panic I had while shopping at Kohl’s, convinced I lost my phone. I was frantically heading toward the front door when I realized my phone was sitting right in the cart’s tray. 🙄 It’s moments like these that remind me of the importance of being present and aware, even if my mind sometimes drifts.

Reflecting on my experiences has led me to some interesting realizations. A memory from my childhood keeps resurfacing. My mom once taught me about state capitals, and I recall her saying that “Dolly Madison” came from Wisconsin. This made me mistakenly think that Little Debbie snacks were also from Wisconsin! It’s a silly mix-up, but it highlights how powerful mnemonic techniques can be; they’ve shaped how I remember things throughout my life. Lately, I’ve been utilizing these techniques more than ever as I navigate my forgetfulness. I find myself making odd connections to help me remember details, illustrating just how fascinating our brains can be.

Speaking of how our brains work, the other day while heading to Rural King for a project, I encountered a gentleman in the parking lot who shared his own struggles with mobility after suffering a stroke. When I mentioned my traumatic brain injury, he opened up about his experiences, including how his legs sometimes freeze when he walks. I was taken aback to learn that someone else shares this difficulty. I stood there, listening intently, realizing I might be the only person who listened to him that day. Giving him my time felt like the most valuable thing I could do, and it was a beautiful reminder of the power of connection through shared stories.

I’ve noticed that dedicating my time to others brings me joy. Listening to the stories of elders is important, their voices deserve to be heard. In our busy lives, we often forget to stop, breathe, and listen to one another. It’s a simple act that can make an enormous difference.

My therapist encouraged me to keep a journal focused on that positivity, and I write in it almost every day. I reflect on the moments throughout that day that made me happy and think about how I can continue to contribute positively to the world. I’ve made mistakes in the past, I’m not perfect, and I still stumble. I’m learning to forgive myself and to focus on the good. I strive to let people share their stories, express appreciation to veterans, and even offer kind words to strangers who might be overlooked. The girl with the mean look, bright pink hair, and black lipstick? Yeah, I make it a point to wish her a good day. Reactions vary—some people respond with warmth, while others give me strange looks—but I’m not concerned with that. My goal is to spread positivity.

Lately, I’ve become more resilient to negativity. I find myself reflecting on a saying I shared in my last blog… I think… 🤔 : if you have $10,000 and someone steals $1,000, would you give them the remaining $9000? It’s a reminder not to dwell on what bothers me. If it bothers me, it’s already taken up too much of my time. Let it go. Whether it’s someone cutting me off in traffic or a negative comment, I’m learning to let things pass and focus on the bigger picture. I refuse to let the world dictate how my day goes, I’m committed to making each day a good one.

Tonight, as I sat in my living room lost in thought, a song came to mind, and I found myself crying.

I’ll praise You in this storm, and I will lift my hands. For You are who You are no matter where I am. And every tear I’ve cried You hold in Your hand. You never left my side and though my heart is torn, I will praise You in this storm.

I’m crying as I write this now. This has been one hell of a storm, but Jesus defeated hell. His victory is truly awesome.

I long for my babies to come back home, and through it all, I will continue to praise Him in the storm.

In sharing these thoughts, I hope you find inspiration in your own connections and reflections. Let’s keep listening, sharing, and supporting one another.