Proof I Am Not The Milk Woman's Kid

My Mom sent me the most amazing thing today.

She packed up a care package for me. It had a very cool Christmas (possibly even year round) wreath that looks like it has actual rain crystals/sleet on it. My old Teddy from when I was born (he's in pretty good shape). A picture from my eighth birthday party (in that looovely denim, embroideried pant suit.) But most amazing of all - A young picture of my Great Grandmother Price-Haynes.

And why is it so amazing? IT IS ME! 100 years ago or so? But IT IS ME!

It is almost spooky similar. I always thought I looked like my father. But there is no question - I look like this person.

My red hair come from dad. But eyes, nose, mouth, cheekbones, and forehead? My Great Grandmother.

I've seen the picture several times before. My Granny Marsh had it hung up beside her bed (it is small. Maybe 3x5.) with two angels beside it. And then after Granny died, Mom kept it on her piano.

When Mom was cleaning out Granny and Popo Marsh's house, she was in the attic with my cousin, Brandon. Brandon finds a picture (the full size version of the small one I have). And says: "Auuunnnntttt Jeeeaaanie???? Why is this old picture of Trixie up here????"

Me. Granted with circa 1900 hair and clothes me. And a very skinny me. But me.

So comforting to know I'm part of a family and lineage. But so odd and almost creepy to look at me decades ago.

You should see it!

Happy Nemo-versary!

One year ago today! The departure of Nemo.

In some ways, it feels like the year has flown. In others, it feels like it happened eons ago.

My health is fabulous since. Yeah - I'm deaf on the right side. I have to arrange and mandate my seating on certain occasions - Usually dining out or sitting at a bar. I say "Huh?" a lot - Which probably annoys everyone else a lot more than me.

Some funny things still happen. I still put my finger in my right ear when talking on my cell in a loud place....Not sure what I am expecting that to accomplish. I still put the phone to my right ear. And even found myself a few weeks ago saying "Damn phone isn't working!" (The person on the other end knew my predicament and got a real kick out of that.) I hear my cell phone ringing ALL the time...When it isn't. And sleeping on my left ear does WONDERS for insomnia. I don't hear a darn thing!

I go back for another MRI and ENT appointment in December. I actually have learned to LIKE MRIs. Nowhere else where no one in the world can get to you. Seclusion at its finest. Not expecting any surprises. There's an EENSY chance that the 2% of Nemo left in my head might grow again. But I have no expectation that will actually happen.

The things the past year taught me:

• Relish every single day
• Tell your family how much you love them
• Tell your friends how much you love them
• Remember that people genuinely care
• Remember that people who barely KNOW you care
• Ask people for help
• Just smile and be grateful when you get that help
• Talk to God. As much as you need. Just keep talking.
• You're not crazy. You're human.
• There's almost nothing you can't withstand.
• Take life, wrap it around you like a giant blanket, know it is going to get you through

I have many more. But my final one. The teary mantra I squeaked out as I called Pattygal (the first one I told as I was walking out of my Dr's appointment) to tell her the Nemo news. And why Nemo was named Nemo:

• Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We SWIM, SWIM, SWIM!

Just keep swimming, my friends.