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Imagine
- composites exploring the nature and sources of an intangible human ideal and associated verbs that transpire a symbiotic relationship... that is; both a source and a result of optimism.
To play is to live.
Our optimism was tempered by a reminder of the grim reality faced by so many South African women, most of all those living in townships. This is why we do our work...
Icecream stand open on a rainy, cold, winter night. The letters on the stand translate to "Hello enjoy your day".
large looks better: 'optimism' On Black
Poster responding to the theme of 'Optimism' this year's Brisbane Design Week.
For more details see the Eye Events page: blog.eyemagazine.com/?page_id=158
EXPLORE Dec 13, 2008 #375
You are valuable...not because of what you do or what you have done,but simply because YOU ARE.
She's my dearest sweet friend, Emma.
Thank you my dear friend for so many things, but mostly for being my friend.
:)
“Optimism is the one quality more associated with success and happiness than any other.” Brian Tracy
motivationtoinspiration.blogspot.com/2018/11/optimism-ass...
#MotivationToInspiration #motivation #inspiration #motivate #inspire #positive #positivequotes #photooftheday #word #goodmorning #goodlife #leadership #opportunity #goals #tips #passion #happy #nice #values #peace #amen #instagood #success #journey #trust #focus #quotes #happiness #kindness #positivity
HTT from my girl with indomitable optimism. Loving life. Loving Gumbo. Repeatedly getting gummed, but always returning for just one more shot at receiving even a small bit of Gumbo's affection. Gummed again. Even drenched, but her joy and optimism continue to flow.
[SOOC, f/1.6, ISO 100, shutter speed 1/800]
Strobist info: Frankenstrobe 1/16th camera right through shoot-thru umbrella, reflector camera left directed to the subject. This one also reflects the hairlight: single Canon 430EXII high camera left behind subject at 1/16th. Third flash for the background (don't remember the settings.)
St. Patrick's Day I spent about 2 hours down at Agesong. In that time, I didn't see Jean, but it was nevertheless productive, if not altogether buoying. Today, however, I have reason for some optimism. Day by day things change. I am tempted to cut to the chase for those of you wanting to know what the "net net" is, but I think it's important to outline the events as they happened because they help me -- and her friends -- understand Jean as she is evolving.
On Saturday, responding to a report that Jean was watching television in the day room across from her apartment at a time that annoyed a floor-mate, I brought over a 32 inch television that I purchased at a big box store. I had intended to bring the TV over sooner, but we (not the royal, but the collective "we") determined that getting her out and involved in the activities of the community was more important than her ability to watch television in her night gown.
I also brought her a phone. Not a cordless, programmable, bells-and-whistle phone. A plain princess phone, circa 1972. She forgets to replace cordless handsets. She gets freaked out by programmable numbers. Frankly, she doesn't even need a phone and has not asked once to make a call. It's one of those things that makes me feel better, not her.
Once the handyman delivered her new stuff, we sat down to talk with various members of the staff about Jean's progress. Robert, who has become her constant companion, was also there to offer his feedback. I have come to rely on his perspective; it is one that tempers the statements made by some Agesong staffers, who sometimes are prone to hyperbole. For instance, "she stays up late into the night" is clarified by Robert, who checks on her each morning with someone. No, she got BACK up once at 4am, but she typically goes to bed before 10. "She might leave in the middle of the night," is a fear spun of whole cloth, as Jean has never once even ventured downstairs alone. So it was good to have him there.
Robert has also become her companion, and someone she dearly cares for now. This would be great if we didn't have to pay him, but he has a job to do -- one we're already paying Agesong to do -- so we are now in the process of weaning her off Robert and hoping she'll make connections with the members of the center. In any case, his constant presence has been a comfort to Jean, and he has become her friend. And Robert has become my eyes and ears.
Jean has stopped demanding to go home or being angry about staying at Agesong. She thinks she is on an extended vacation in a hotel. She still asks when she will be moving home and whether she can get some boxes when the time comes, and Robert nods and then quickly changes the subject. She has no memory of the events that lead to her being there. In fact, Jean believes she drove herself to Agesong and sometimes asks where her car is, so she can drive home when the time comes. The "time", by the way, is usually "in about a week." She tells residents that she very much likes staying there, but will be going home "in about a week."
Jean recently went out on a drive with some other members. Most importantly, she came back! Frankly, I didn't ask enough about this activity to say more and wasn't listening to the description: I was focused on the fact that she actually came back!! You know, as in got-off-the-bus-and-got-back-on-the-bus. In my mind this is huge. She had a chance (albeit a slim one) to make a break for it and didn't seem interested. She's not missing her old life. Her house, maybe. Her life, not so much.
Robert takes her out for walks each day (I have ordered a new pair of shoes, as her feet are rubbing in the old ones). He also takes her to the activities printed on the calendar. Until today, he has had to come get her each morning for breakfast; she stays in her room until he arrives. At the activities, Jean is the outspoken star. Opera appreciation had Jean actively participating and dropping the knowledge we all know she has. At the book club, she was quite the erudite. She is so poised and together, that sometimes the staff forget that she has memory and confusion challenges. Furthering his goal to get Jean connected to the people in the community, Robert brings her to various activities and then slips away so she can forge new relationships. One of the staffers was quick to point out that whenever he leaves, Jean keeps a watchful eye on the door, waiting for him to return.
Recently, the community acted out a reading (an activity that happens with a fair degree of regularity). Jean's character was a judge and, according to Robert, she SEIZED control of that room, but not before letting everyone know exactly who my mother-in-law was. She seems to be -- if not thriving -- at least blossoming.
Both Robert and the staff are reporting that as the days go by, they see diminishing anxiety and anger, increasing participation, and most importantly, no depression whatsoever. In fact, they unilaterally agreed that anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs are not necessary right now; her social interactions are doing precisely what we had hoped. Indeed, Robert said she no longer hallucinates John's presence. She is fully cognizant he is dead and certainly misses him, but no longer sees or talks to him.
I left Agesong on Saturday with some cautious optimism. Not wanting to spoil the ride, I didn't go see her notwithstanding one staffer's comment that she brags about "my daughter the lawyer." Robert seems to think her animosity toward me is fading, but not gone. That's good enough for me to leave her be.
We finally got 'round to visitors. Robert and the staffers believe she may be ready to have visitors. We will start with a visit this week from Glenn. Because of Jean's propensity to "Behave herself" around men, and because Jean believes Glenn and Robert are friends, and because one person can pick up Robert's diversion cues easier than a group, Glenn's the choice (nothing personal, folks). We'll be interested in Glenn's perspective on the matter and we'll share what we know.
Today, I got an early morning call from one of the staffers. On a whim, even though Robert wasn't there yet, she decided to go knock on Jean's door, just to say hello. Jean threw open the door, was fully dressed, and was headed downstairs on her own to have breakfast. Like the bus ride, this is huge! A self-directed decision to go downstairs and eat without anyone encouraging her is a big deal. We'll see what the evening brings. And the days to come.
And so we go with optimism that things will turn out OK. Soon.
“I love her undying optimism. She’s the most upbeat person I’ve ever met. It’s important because we both work for ourselves. It’s only our first year of being our own bosses so having that enthusiasm is key.”
“What do you both do?”
“I’m a professional accordionist.”
“And I own a sewing business - hand crafts and embroidery art.”
“What made you want to start your own businesses?”
“We went away to Edinburgh for a month. I don’t know whether it was the Fringe Festival or just being away that long. But when we came back we both knew exactly what we wanted, and that was working for ourselves.”
Day 201
28th February
Had a lovely evening yesterday, Mum and I went for a spa evening at the Nirvana Spa in Berkshire, it was a birthday present albeit it a belated one as my birthday was in August! It was lovely, had a salt water flotation treatment & then spent several hours swimming and relaxing in steam room/sauna and reading with a drink. Bliss, pure relaxation.
Today its another horrible day for weather, bucketing it down on and off all day. I managed to get out this afternoon into the garden and I managed to get this shot of my Dad's lovely snowdrops. I was quite pleased with how they came out with the 50mm lens!
March tomorrow so hopefully spring is on its way now...
(Self-portrait --Reflected in car-glass)
It was raining heavily for the past four days and cyclonic weather was reported.But in my city the bright sun came up this morning .I hope the slushy streets will be a little dry and we will be able to move out .