Why do I have a photo of a typewriter, you ask? I saw two episodes of Columbo recently, and in both episodes, someone was typing on a typewriter. It brought back some memories of high school and my first office job. Allow me to rewind to when I was in high school, and I was in the Vocational Office Education for the last two years of high school, which was 1988-1989. I had completed the necessary credits early on, so I had an opportunity to be a part of this lab class, which was my favorite.
My classmates and I would fight over who would type on the newer electric typewriters because we only had a few. We would do lessons in typing without looking at the keys, and I must say I mastered that skill. We also learned how to do dictation from the tape dictation machine and 10-key.
Through this lab class, I got my first office job during my senior year in high school. I went to school for half a day and then went to work. After I graduated, they hired me full-time, fulfilling my goal of being a secretary. I wanted to be like my sister because she worked in an office as a secretary. This job taught me valuable lessons on how to gauge through office protocol, politics, gossip, and dynamics of working with women vs men, learn who you could trust and not trust, and try to hold onto my moral values and beliefs. I was one of the youngest in the office, so I had much to learn! I still remember one co-worker who introduced me to acrylic nails and how you can type just as fast and efficiently and do almost anything with them. I was immediately hooked, and she also shared her fashion tips with me. It felt good to have that one work bestie I could trust and go to if I needed help. A whole new world opened up to me and set the stage, and prepared me for my future work endeavors.
It sounds crazy, but I often think about how cool it would be to have a typewriter to hold onto those wonderful memories of where I started and where I am now.
Last Friday, while I was at work, I was on a mission to tackle a project I had taken on and to complete this, I needed to learn how to use Mailchimp, which was recently introduced to me. First, I have never been tech-savvy, and I’m technologically challenged. I am learning this software by searching their website for webinars, tutorials, YouTube, and Google. While at work, I was in the zone trying to figure out what I needed to do to execute it. Friday afternoons at the office consist of caregivers coming in to pick up their paychecks. I’m usually engaged in conversations with them as they come in, but this day, I found myself so focused on my computer and laptop that I hardly raised my head. When I did, I didn’t feel I couldn’t even carry on a conversation because my mind was so preoccupied.
I was attempting to copy and paste 45 email contacts, and just when I thought I had done it and clicked on import, I would get an error message and found myself having to start over again, and I would just get more and more frustrated because this happened at least three times. This was just the first step; I still needed to figure out what to do with those contacts once they were imported and how to add them to my email template. Unfortunately, the time came for me to leave, so I felt defeated because I had not finished it before I went for the day. It bothered me so much that I was determined to try it again when I got home. Luckily, I have access to my work files from home, so I took a moment to eat and calm my mind before I made another attempt. I tried again, and as I looked over the copy-and-paste instructions, I saw the issue. It was me. I was the problem because I was looking at the instructions but not reading them. After reading it several times, I could finally complete the task and successfully send the mass email to the contacts.
I cannot begin to express how relieved I felt to accomplish this. As the night went on, I started to feel bad about not being my usual self with the caregivers and did not take the time to talk to them. Then, another thought crossed my mind. I was single-minded on the task, not listening to what was happening around me, bound and determined to get the job done no matter what. How different would my life be if I incorporated that concept into my daily life and my personal, financial, and spiritual goals? It comes down to my responsibility to myself and God because He is the only one, I need to share my goals and dreams with and the only one I answer to.
Psalm 119:105
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
I was honored and pleased to share my story on the My New Norm podcast with Barry Scott Young. He was my Youth Pastor at Trinity Church more than 30 years ago. My name is Cecilia De Los Santos, and this is my story.
Yesterday, I woke up on a mission to trim some weeds that had been overgrown amid a cactus plant I have in the front yard. Well, being that I had surgery 3 months ago and recovery has been slow, I have not had a chance to think of doing any yard work, much less being able to do it. Well, yesterday, I felt I would at least make an attempt first thing in the morning before the weather got too unbearable. So, first things first, how do I accomplish this without hurting myself, and what tool am I going to use? It came to me that when Dad would be outside in the yard, more times than not, you would see him sitting on this small step stool and using these clippers and gloves. I thought to myself, Dad, I think I will follow your lead.
Sure enough, I positioned myself in front of the plant as best as possible and gave it some long-overdue attention. I was pleased with the outcome and felt yet another connection to Dad as I peacefully worked in the yard, picturing him doing the same thing.
I give thanks for this day. It has been a productive day so far. First thing this morning, I participated in a one-on-one Zoom meeting and another video course for the same employer, which provided an overload of information and some ideas and inspiration. It is always a plus when you can go back and replay a video and catch any points you may have missed. Interacting with both was interesting, and I found myself jotting down ideas along the way.
I appreciate that my employer included me in these opportunities. I would often shy away from any challenges that I was not familiar with, or that seemed too complicated for me to grasp. Lately, I have been tasked with some of these challenges, and I have become more comfortable and confident in pursuing them. I strive to continue to carry this through all areas of my life.
From the moment I saw you with your piercing blue eyes. Here’s a gift to you, all of me with all of you. Much more than just one night but a decade plus in the books. Many twists and turns so much I got whiplash and tore up inside and out trying to keep up.
Many times, lashing out warnings to each other do this or that or else. Don’t you ever. You’re lucky I am not crazy like everyone else, but apparently, not crazy enough, not mad enough, or anything enough. Let’s live in a pretend land like nothing ever happened. You will be back to normal in no time, and we can go back to the way things were. News flash FYI, it will never be the same, and neither will I.
Go ahead, let’s just put on the blinders and block out reality and fill our lives with denial and beat our souls to the ground with resentment and our emotions six feet under or even further.
I’m too much to handle, aren’t I? I’m broken, beaten, dying before your eyes, but you won’t throw me a life vest, just a band-aid and a disappointed look.
I knew before you did but couldn’t bring myself to speak because my voice was lost, and I was weak. Oh, now I see the blood streaming from your mouth. Your tongue must be gone.
It’s a miracle the words finally came out. It was the out we both desperately needed to survive. You finally threw me the lifeline I so desperately needed.
You had the best of me and all of me. You were my best friend, my best lover, my all-consuming drug, my everything, and you became the emotional tormentor of my spirit, heart, and soul.
It was a season for us that will forever be a part of me, but that season needed to end so our lives could begin again.
News flash FYI, I came back louder and stronger, along with my voice.
I woke up feeling a bit off this morning, and even my morning show seemed off. I did not have an appointment today until after lunch, so I entertained the thought of taking a quick nap before starting my day in hopes that I would feel better. When I got comfortable on the couch, I was interrupted by a message from my physician’s office and had to jump on the computer. I was already up by then, so I might as well forget about the nap. On the days I work from home, I often try to fix my hair and put makeup on even though I am not going anywhere. It lifts my spirits and helps me get going. This morning started with a thought of what colors I wanted to put together, and I grabbed an eyeshadow palette. I gravitated toward specific colors and went with the creative flow without thinking about it. I am guilty of overthinking things, which will cause me to hit a wall that no ideas or creative thoughts can break through. This can affect all areas of my life.
Amid my outside transformation, an idea crossed my mind for a reel to put together for the professional organizing company I work for. Let me clarify, I am not an expert on putting videos or reels together. I honestly do not know how to use all available tools and settings to assemble these, but I am basically just doing trial and error. At last, another creative moment came over me, and I put a reel together.
I sat in a moment of silence, feeling a sense of accomplishment. I was almost in a state of shock because of how the day began and how I was feeling until I got up and moved around. The day was not looking promising. As I contemplated sharing this, the words ebb and flow came to mind. I looked up the definition, and of course, many examples came up, but this one stood out to me: “the natural rhythm of life and the continuous change and that there are times when things are on the rise and other times when they are on the decline.”
Things can change minute by minute, hour by hour, and day by day. We never know what lies ahead. We just find ourselves going with the flow.
I bet you didn’t know that this whole time, I’ve been living with Wonder Woman and Spider Man. Yes, I’ve kept it to myself this whole time, but now it’s time to share. It’s a good thing my parents don’t have social media, much less know how to use it or understand how it works, because they would probably freak out if they knew I was sharing this. We all go through stages in our lives where we face certain limitations that never used to be a problem but suddenly have become an issue in some way, shape, or form. I’ve learned this not only through myself but also through my elderly parents. I hear them say they have always been able to do this or that without help. Now, it’s become apparent to them and me that they do, in fact, need help with sometimes the simplest things. In their minds, they can do anything and everything, and it’s business as usual, but unfortunately, their bodies beg to differ. My job is to be an extension of their arms and legs and help with anything I can. If they are outside in the backyard and I’m home, I’m constantly looking to see where they are and what they are doing. First of all, I’m making sure my mom has her walker and that she is actually using it. She enjoys tending to her plants, watering the yard, feeding the birds, and filling the bird bath. I’ll position the water hose where she can sit on her walker and water what she needs. My dad is pretty independent and usually does yard work like trimming, digging up weeds, and blowing leaves. He has trouble at times with his own mobility but doesn’t want to use a cane or walker. I have to keep an eye on him, too, because, at times, it’s difficult for him to lift his legs when he’s walking, and he has balance issues, too. He’s unable to do so much physical yard work or landscaping anymore, which, thankfully, my brother helps with this once a week. More times than not, my dad is straightening and shredding papers in his work shed that we call the “Cuatito.” With my mom, I can often predict what she’s thinking of doing, and I’ll try to beat her to it if I see that it will be too much for her physically to do. If anything, I try to compromise with her and still let her do what she wants, but I will be there to help. Again, this is all on the basis that I’m actually home. When I’m not home, well, that’s another story because there’s no telling what trouble they can get into!
I’ve mentioned to my parents that the time may come when we will need to look into getting help with those tasks that they can’t do anymore but they aren’t quite ready to entertain that thought yet. I can understand when you feel like you’re losing your independence you feel like you’re losing a bit of yourself. I get that because my situation of not being able to drive can be frustrating. I can’t just pick up and go when I want to. It’s a whole process of scheduling transportation, how much is it going to cost me and I’m dependent on someone else’s time. I don’t like it but it’s my only choice. With my parent’s it’s the same concept in that they too can’t just pick up and go when they want to because my dad can’t drive very far from the house anymore and if it’s raining, he really won’t want to drive even if it’s close to the house. I have to utilize other transportation options for them too. Driving is part of my dad’s independence which is slowly coming to an end. The independence of working on the house and doing little maintenance projects like he was used to doing is no longer an option for him. I know this bothers him and I don’t blame him.
You won’t believe this, but they do have their moments when all of a sudden a change takes place and they take on the personas of Wonder Woman & Spider Man. Yes, I have witnessed this firsthand! One example of this happened recently after I got home from work. I walked in the door and I see my mom sitting down in her recliner I could tell right away something was wrong. She didn’t look like she was feeling well and also had a guilty look on her face so I knew right away something happened. She had fought a battle and came out a little bruised. She had been sitting down at the table in the backyard reading, taking in the beauty of the sunny day, and enjoying the sounds of the birds. Then suddenly, she has the urge to repot one of her plants. She had been planning this mission for a while but wouldn’t share the specifics with me as far as what, when, how, and where. It was on a “need to know” basis. So, here she goes making her way to the fence, and starts digging a hole (don’t think the thought of the position of the walker in relation to her was in the plan). Next thing you know, something is taking over her body and it slowly takes her down to the ground. Well, let me back up and say that she was bent over from the beginning so that didn’t help her cause. So now she’s on the ground and contemplating how she’s going to get up. Dad on the other hand was busy in his cuatito doing his own thing and he’s hard of hearing so he probably wouldn’t have heard her crying out for help. That’s a whole other story for another post! To continue, she’s trying to work up another plan of how to get up from the ground. Thank God the fence was there and somehow she managed to reach up and slowly get up. It took a while, but she did it and it also came with a price. Yes, a price of a cut on the inside of her hand, sore neck and muscles, and plenty of heat patches and Icy Hot. I know you’re wondering….what was the outcome of the task she was in the middle of when this unfortunate mishap occurred? Mission Accomplished! Yes, she is Wonder Woman!
Just when you think the story has ended, there’s more. So, rewind back to when I arrived home from work and I see my mom and she’s detailing her battle from the day. I walk to the backdoor and look outside and ask where dad is. As I mentioned earlier, dad is very independent when it comes to being outside doing his tasks. He’s a very quiet man and keeps to himself. He’s always thinking always planning and he doesn’t share. He keeps it all inside and when he’s ready to share what’s on his mind, watch out! So back to the story, as I’m asking where dad is I’m looking out the window only to see Spider Man in the cuatito with one leg on a table and the other on the ladder holding a big object in his hands. I’m in the middle of WTF and running to the cuatito to witness this firsthand! I run in and again WTF and attempt to take on the burden of this heavy object (big heavy luggage) that is about to overtake him. Actually, this object was about to take us both out but suddenly my own Wonder Woman strength kicks in and saves the day! Spider-Man has been spared as well! Just like my mom, my dad’s day started just as innocently. He was also enjoying his day outside listening to his music on cassette tapes (yes, my dad still has a tape player and cassette tapes), moving things in his shed from one place to another, organizing, sweeping, etc. Then suddenly, something catches his eye and he gets inspired to hang the heaviest object up on the wall while hanging from one leg on the ladder. Oh, Spider-Man what were you thinking!
Living with Wonder Woman and Spider Man can be enlightening, entertaining, challenging, frustrating, mind-boggling, and physically and mentally demanding. Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful they still have that fight inside to keep moving (even though it’s a lot slower) despite their physical limitations. I wouldn’t want it any other way. It’s a fine balance between respecting them to let them do what they want to do but not to the point where they can hurt themselves. I take it one day at a time and I’ve learned to be prepared because I never know what journey these two are going to take me on!
I am doing my best to stay focused on the priority at hand. It has been difficult these last 10 weeks since the surgery to repair my multiple hernias and the removal of my gallbladder. This recovery stage continues to be challenging, and at times, the pain and various symptoms feel as if I just had the surgery. The continued assurance of my physicians that my recovery is going to be longer due to the extent of the surgery, my Adrenal Insufficiency, and my steroids do not provide me with any confidence but, at times, anxiety instead. I admit with any pulling, numbness, or pain that I feel, I cannot help but wonder what is going on inside of me. I wish I could take a peek inside to make sure everything is intact. For now, I do what I can do, which is continue to place my fear and anxiety in the hands of God.
I continue to focus on the work responsibilities of my two employers, which I enjoy and have been blessed to have. I also make it a point to feed my creative side and try new things that force me out of my comfort zone. I also try to practice silence and mindfulness to calm my mind. I recently discovered the YouTube audio screensavers to help with sleep and stress. At night, I use the snowy winter ambiance and, during the day, the cozy beach house ambiance. I never used to like the sounds of silence, but now I gravitate towards it when I hear too much outside noise.
Making space for what matters most is one of the points we share with our clients when they call Alamo Organizers for their home organization needs. This same statement applies to our lives. Making time and space for what matters most to me is priority one. My personal relationship with Jesus Christ is my number one priority, hands down because, without Him, I would definitely not be alive today after all the surgeries, life-and-death situations, and challenges that I have faced throughout my life. In the Bible, I am reminded of the scripture Lamentations 3:22-23, which states, “The love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.”
My next priority is my health, which is the daily management of my disease, let alone any additional issues that come along, like right now with recovery and post-op side effects of surgery. I cannot live in fear of what may or may not happen when it comes to my current situation. I continue to strive to keep my focus on what matters most.
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style” -Maya Angelou
The World of Dlo 