Tag: life

Blue Light Specials

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When it comes to serving others, it doesn’t always come at a convenient time. Often, it happens at the most inconvenient time, and it will catch you off guard. In my work experiences at the Sheriff’s Office, I would have to drop whatever task I was working on when my supervisors would request my attention on the fly, and I recall them calling these instances “blue light specials.” As soon as I heard my name being called out down the hall, I knew either I was in trouble, up for a blue light special, or both. My role as a caregiver to my parents was the same concept, except they weren’t called blue light specials. They were buckle up and be ready for anything because you never knew what you would face. I did my best to prepare for each day from morning to evening. I was all about preparation and trying to foresee what may or may not happen. Well, that didn’t always work so I had to learn to adapt and adjust.

Even though my role as a caregiver has since come to an end, I now find myself in a similar but different capacity with another special person in my life. It is not to the extent as it was with my parents. I don’t see myself in that role again because that was my calling to honor my father and mother in that role for that season, and I fulfilled my calling. This capacity, I speak of, is another way of serving: checking in on her, spending time with her, getting to know her once again, and being present with her. It’s an eye-opening experience because I have an overload of memories of her growing up, and I now see the person who is in front of me now and it is quite a change. I believe my time with my parents was, in a sense, preparing me for this journey. I recognize certain things I experienced with them and can identify and adjust accordingly in my interactions with her.

This morning, I was working when I received a message with a last-minute request to check on her. I thought it was an emergency, but I was assured it wasn’t urgent but needed to be done. My thoughts immediately went to this is not a convenient time, what if I wasn’t home, and on and on. When I arrived, I discovered the issue was resolved, and all was well. I immediately felt guilty for feeling the way I was because she was happy to see me even though we had just spent time together yesterday and she was in good spirits. While I was there, I discovered she took her medication and was eating. It may seem simple, but it carries so much more meaning to me and it feels good because I miss doing these simple things for mom and dad.

I have found that taking the focus off myself and helping others humbles me, brings a sense of peace to my spirit, and is a source of strength to help me deal with anything that I may be facing in my own life. I’ve learned to be ready because I never know when I’m going to be called up to do a blue light special.

I Came to Thrive

dlobossLeave a comment

I remember utilizing Cliff Notes in school when I had to do a book report. It provided the basic information needed to know what the book was about without reading it thoroughly. Thank you, Cliff Notes! Anyway, I brought this up because that is what I’m about to provide for you regarding this past month. There is too much information, and I honestly haven’t had the time or energy to make sense of or process most of what has transpired until now.

Let me begin by saying my political views will be left out because I don’t like sharing those. Lord knows I would probably be canceled and burned at the stake, so I keep my thoughts to myself unless I’m in a safe place to share. Other than that, I will continue to observe and shake my head in disbelief.

Now for the good stuff! The year starts with not making resolutions because I do not believe in them. As far as exercising, I have already been working with a trainer for almost a year and am pretty good at being active by working out at home, so I’m continuing my routine. My physicians constantly remind me that I am overweight, and due to having surgery to repair not one but five hernias, I need to be mindful of my weight because I have a reoccurrence. I am constantly reminding my physicians that I struggle with losing weight, which is mainly because I am steroid-dependent due to having Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency. I have been on steroids for over 15 years, and I am on them for life. I have plateaued at my current weight for the past 6 years and, luckily, have not gained any weight. The good news is that due to changes I have made in my diet, adjusting my daily steroid dosage, and being more physically active, I have noticed a drop in inches, but the weight has not come off. I have continued trying to be creative and modify my diet, and I hope that one day, I will find a good balance.

I had my second colonoscopy done, which was something I was advised to do six months after I had my first one done in July 2023. They removed a couple of polyps, and the Gastroenterologist stated that due to guidelines, I needed to return for a second one 6 months later. Well, life got in the way, and I had surgery last year that took seven months to fully recover from, so going for another Colonoscopy was the last thing on my mind. At the start of the year, I received another reminder from my Gastroenterologist that I was long overdue, so I figured I might as well get it done. I just received the results, and it was all clear, and I do not have to go back until 3 years.

For the last couple of months, I have been reevaluating where I am and where I would like to be at this stage in my professional life. I remember when I was in Colorado, I would have moments where I would dream of working for myself and working from home. After I resigned from the Sheriff’s Office, I had the opportunity to work part-time from home for an appliance company, answering their phones and scheduling appointments. I also worked part-time for an Oil & Gas company, going into the office a couple of days a week doing Administrative Assistant duties. I loved it and was able to do both jobs up until I made the decision to move back to Texas. It was short-lived, but I knew one day I would have the opportunity to do this again. Fast-forward to the last two years, I have been working part-time both remotely and hybrid for Helping Our Seniors and working part-time primarily remotely for Alamo Organizers. It is interesting how things do come back full circle. I am grateful and blessed to be employed and have both the convenience and flexibility.

I spoke to a Lyft driver today, and from the beginning of the ride, he explained that he did not speak English. I stated that he should learn English because it would help him with his job and help him communicate better with his riders. He said that he was too old to learn to speak English. I thought to myself how unfortunate it is to have that mindset. I honestly do not understand how you can close your mind to the opportunity of improving yourself. I continue to strive to expand my mind and learn new skill sets. My faith assures me that the path that is for me will be revealed in due time.  In the meantime, I choose to not just survive but to thrive.