inspire Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Inspired & Strong | Making the Best of Every Day with Stacy

Today’s post is a continuation of my Letter to Gram. If you are jumping in, head on back to that first post about how writing a letter to your loved one can be therapeutic. This letter is the second part of my letter to Gram and about how much changed that first year I had the opportunity to take care of her.

Dear Gram,

Our journey continues. After 16 years in Richmond, I needed a change. I was not happy with my job or the dating scene. I met a friend of a friend who was moving to Thailand to teach English. It sounded like something that I just needed to do. I had the same feeling in my stomach as when I moved to California. I just knew I had to go.

As I was considering moving to Thailand, Grandpa voiced his opinion and didn’t really want me to go. He was about to turn 90, and I think he was scared he wouldn’t make it until my return. Maybe he knew his health was failing. He had been in and out of the hospital the year prior with his congestive heart failure, but he always bounced back. I don’t remember you telling me not to go. I only remember your support and you probably told me Gary and Shar used to live there, too! I think you were excited for me to go on a crazy adventure, and I couldn’t wait to see the world.

Even though I was only gone three months, I did miss Grandpa’s 90^th birthday bash, and I am really sorry that I did. He was so happy and many of his old players and students came back for the occasion. Mom did FaceTime me so I did get to see you dancing with the toy soldier and got to be a part of some of the celebration.

I also missed the beautiful birth of my nephew. I knew there would never be a time that I wouldn’t miss something so I will never regret going to Thailand and gaining all that I experienced. But I also wish I could have been in two places at the same time. (of course! I am a Yes, Woman!)

I ended up coming back from Thailand for Christmas to see the family and my new nephew who was only 19 days old. That Christmas of 2015, Gramps got sick. My sister asked him if he wanted to go to the emergency room and he said yes. So off we went. He had fluid built up around his lungs and ended up having a longer stay than any of us wanted. I remember you not wanting to leave his side, and I wish I would have talked the staff into letting us both stay to be with him. I didn’t realize how much you felt the need to be there until I was the one who wanted to stay with you in the hospital room. I am sorry that we didn’t let you stay. I know the staff said it was a liability, and we didn’t want you to fall and get hurt either, but I finally realized how much you truly wanted to be there. And how lonely the hospital room can be.

After a week of Gramps being in the hospital, we all decided I wasn’t going back to Thailand. I had some wonderful adventures and saw nine new countries including Germany, Finland, Sweden, and The Netherlands so I decided I would stay home and spend time with you and Gramps. My house in Richmond was rented until September, and I was unemployed. Gramps spent a month in rehab while you and I stayed with mom. Finally, we decided to take Grandpa back home to Pennsylvania with Hospice Care. It was going to be a big change, but I would move in and be there for you both.

We made it home and my cousin across the street helped me get Gramps in the house. It was not an easy task, and I am not sure how we did it. Grandpa was so upset that we weren’t in your condo in Florida and once he saw the hospital bed in the living room, he seemed deflated. I think maybe it was his last wish to be in sunny Florida before he passed on.

My mom came up a few days later but after a week, Grandpa’s body couldn’t fight anymore. We called the priest in for the anointing of the sick and all prayed together with my sister on the phone. The next morning, he faded out and was gone. I am sorry, Grandpa, that I was not there to hold your hand as you headed toward the light. And I am sorry, Gram, that you barely made it to tell him you loved him one more time. It seemed to happen so fast, and I hate that we were not all there for him in those final moments.

That week was full of preparations. We planned with the funeral home and family started arriving in town. Although it was great to see everyone, it was sad, sad circumstances. After the dust settled, it was just you and me. I wasn’t sure if you would last two days, two months, or two years, without him. You just lost your best friend, and I wasn’t sure you knew what to do next.

It was February 2016. We just lost Gramps. It was snowing. I didn’t have a job yet therefore, we made fires, watched the snowfall, and watched black and white movies all day. We didn’t go out in the cold if we didn’t have to. About a month later, my high school girlfriends talked me into volunteer coaching for the high school softball team. Then one of my college girlfriends offered me a job at a local dairy isle. What a change from the field of education! We had a wonderful summer once the weather turned. We zoomed around town in my little convertible EOS, watching softball games, eating ice cream, drinking wine, and going out to eat at our favorite restaurant, Venango Valley. I reconnected with high school and college friends and was enjoying being with you and being back in my hometown.

Then December came and you broke your hip (the first time). I couldn’t let what happened to Gramps happen to you so I vowed to be with you 24/7 and I broke you loose from the rehab center. Once you were back home, your spirits picked right up, your attitude changed and you were walking around the house with your walker in no time. You became more dependent on me, but I was just happy you were doing well.

That February, after your fall, we both were sad and depressed because of the weather, and we were tired of being cooped up in the house. We needed a change. Therefore, we took off for Florida. It was perfect timing because that is when I met my Prince. You seemed to like him right from the start and that was the beginning of more crazy adventures, but now there was three of us.

Making the change and being able to take care of you led me to so many wonderful things in life. I reconnected with amazing friends and got to spend more time with them. I also met new friends who grew to love you and your presence. And of course, I met my husband. We all miss you more than you know.

(to be continued…)

In Inspiration

Sometimes

March 16, 2022 No Comments

Sometimes one day changes everything; sometimes years change nothing.”

— Irish Proverb

Photo by Djim Loic on Unsplash

In Adventures with Gram

Letter to Gram

March 8, 2022 No Comments

As you have read, I took care of Gram for five years before she passed away on February 24, 2021. I have been receiving grief therapy through Hope Hospice since then, and it has been very beneficial to have someone to talk to, not only about Gram but about my sister and dad plus just everyday life. I continue to struggle with the loss of Sweet Gram. I am not sure if it’s because I was raised Catholic, and I tend to feel the “Catholic Guilt” from putting her into senior living for the last three months of her life and not bringing her home when she broke her hip the second time or what. I know healing takes time and there will always be ups and downs when it comes to grief, but I just feel an overwhelming sense of loss when it comes to Gram.

My therapist sent me a video about letter writing. The video has to do with expressing gratitude and increasing happiness but she says the same benefits apply to grief letter writing. She suggested how writing a letter to Gram may help me.

Therefore, I decided to sit down and write a letter to Gram. It is sooooooo long, but I had 45 years of time to write to her about. For some reason, I felt compelled to share it with you. I won’t share all of it at once but here is the beginning. I will continue to share over the next few weeks.

Dear Gram,

I have been meaning to write a letter to you. And I wish I would have said all of this before you left this Earth, but I am telling you now. Ever since I was a little girl you were there for me. You told me several times you were the one who carried me home from the hospital after I was born. We lived with you for a period of time while dad was away in Korea. Throughout my childhood, you only lived three blocks away from me and worked right up the hill from our house. I remember walking home from school and heading straight to the college to see you and mom at work.

Although you didn’t play sports or jump around with us, you were always there to cheer us on and to cheer Gramps on, too. His life revolved around sports…Sports on TV, coaching sports and watching sports. You always said if you had a penny for every bleacher you sat on you’d be one rich lady, and I agree!! As far as I can remember, you were at every one of my basketball and softball games. Even in college when I received very little playing time, you and Gramps were always there.

As a little kid, all I can remember is how positive you were. You wanted us to succeed and you were always very proud of us. You and Gramps were the kindest, loving, and most generous people I have ever known. I remember you always making room for people at the dinner table or lending people a hand when they needed it. The more people that I meet that knew you, the more I see what an impact you had on our hometown community and the students who ventured into the area.

Although you were the small, quiet one, you were always so strong. I remember you getting sick and going to the hospital ONE TIME before you were in your 90s. You never went to the doctor. You just made yourself a Hot Toddy and moved on. Even as you got older you never wanted to go to the doctor and you always said you were fine. You were so strong, but also stubborn.

While I did my student teaching I had the wonderful opportunity to live with you and Gramps. Mom and Dad were hosting Marja from Finland so you let me move in with you. When I came home late and a little tipsy, you never lectured me. You listened to my stories and told me there were leftovers in the fridge for my midnight snack. You were usually up watching the 11 o’clock news and then some black and white film after while Gramps was asleep on the couch. It seemed late at night was the only time Gramps would let you have the remote control! The rest of the day the television was on some sporting event.

After I graduated from college in December, I moved to California. You supported my move and even lent me money to get me started. It took me years before trying to pay you back, which you didn’t accept, of course, but I tried because I appreciated all that you did for me.

Even though I was in California for just a short six months, you, Gramps, and Marja came out to visit. We drove to L.A. to see the Hollywood sign and the stars of fame on the sidewalk. And yes, we even took in another sporting event and went to see the L.A. Dodgers play.

After my six-month adventure in Cali, I settled in Richmond, Virginia for 16 years. We both traveled up and down the interstates more times than we can count. I came home a lot when Dad was battling cancer and got to spend extra time with you, too. The eight-hour drive seemed like nothing compared to being all the way across the country.

When we started worrying about you and Grandpa driving to Florida by yourselves for your winter stay at your condo, I volunteered for the job. Thankfully I was in a position in the school system where I could take the time off to drive you down after Christmas and then pick you back up around Easter. You were sometimes hesitant about going to Florida but you always ended up having a great time and you knew how much it meant to Gramps so you went. You loved Fort Myers but you also loved being in your home in Pennsylvania.

Driving with you was always an adventure. You would sit beside me in the passenger seat and get out your Rand McNally Road Atlas. You would follow along as we crossed state lines and tell me who lived where along the way. You and grandpa remembered so much about so many people. I honestly don’t know how you kept it straight.

Your positive attitude and the love you shared for those around you are what make me miss you so much. I could never repay all the love and support you both offered to me over the years, but I hope I can express to you how much it (and you) meant to me.

(To be continued…)

If you have lost someone special in your life, maybe you will find the strength to pick up a pen and paper and write them a little note about how much of an impact they had on your life. I know it has helped me.

In Family

Summertime with the Kids

October 19, 2021 No Comments

We rented a house for six weeks this past summer in Virginia. We wanted to be close to the kids and spend some more time with them. I know we are there almost every other month, but I wanted to be there for the summer without the interference of school and homework. So we did, and it was wonderful!

We got there on July 1. The house we rented was about a 20-minute drive away from the family. And if I were to do it again I would rent something closer. When we got there, we told the kids we had a list of activities we wanted to do with them. They were so excited.

The first week we took them to three different playgrounds and parks. They had so much fun bouncing from one piece of equipment to another. They love making ninja-type obstacle courses and racing each other from one end to the other.

The next week we caught up with friends from the Richmond area that I hadn’t seen in a couple of years. The kids met their kids and enjoyed some pool time together. We also spent time at the pool with friends of the kids. We were very thankful we had some pools to go to because going to Virginia in July really didn’t help us escape from the Florida heat!

For the next few weeks, we took the kids to do many different activities. We found a fun center that had bumper boats, putt-putt, and go-karts. They had so much fun and so did we. I hadn’t ridden a go-kart in years, and I forgot how fun racing around the course could be. My nephew was too little to drive so we rode together and got the fast car. We had a blast lapping my mom and his sister.

Another one of our activities this past summer was taking the kids to the Zoo. I had never been and neither had they. They loved feeding the giraffes and riding the rides. There were only four rides but we had unlimited passes so we rode them all at least twice. Their favorite ride was one that was like a drop zone. They went straight up and bounced back down. Their laughs made my heart so happy. Jeff and I had a wonderful time watching them run from one animal to another. It was a long day but a great day.

Being with the kids meant the world to me. We were so relaxed and stress-free. Even driving from park to park was fun because they were always in the backseat singing. The kids spent the night at our house a few times. It was a two-story home and the steps were carpeted. It’s funny that they figured out how to slide down the steps without anyone telling them to do it.

The kids also loved working out with us in the garage and practicing gymnastics moves in the yard. My niece also was playing softball on the all-star team so I was very grateful that I could be there to watch her play.

One of the most fun we had was decorating rubber ducks and then putting them on other Jeeps in parking lots. Trending on Instagram was #duckduckjeep and the kids loved it. We even got ducked one evening, and they thought it was so much fun.

The kids are growing up so fast. I love their personalities and that they are so independent. It makes me sad that they are getting so big and soon will turn into teenagers that probably won’t care if Aunt Stacy and Uncle Jeff come around. So for now we enjoy the time we can with these sweet little people. I wish I could scoop them up and put them in my back pocket but for now I will just squeeze them as much as possible every chance I get.

In Fitness and Nutrition

Spartan

October 12, 2021 No Comments

Before we left Florida for the summer, my friend Sara talked me into doing a Spartan Race. I haven’t done any type of competition in a couple of years. I haven’t felt like competing because I have been dealing with a shoulder issue which turned out to be two bulging disks in my neck. I haven’t felt “good” and haven’t felt the need to compete.

My husband and his cousin did a Spartan race a few years ago, and he loved it. He felt doing CrossFit really prepared him for the Spartan race. I have been wanting to do one with him, but we just haven’t signed up. We seem to be too busy living life, socializing, and traveling nonstop to seriously train for any event.

So, Sara said, “We are doing a girls’ weekend with a Spartan Race in Nashville, you should do it.” And of course, I said, “Yes.” Over the summer, I took a break from CrossFit and was lifting and doing cardio here and there. I haven’t been pushing myself because I have been trying to heal the bulging disks in my neck and stress on my left bicep tendon.

As the Spartan weekend got closer and closer, I decided I wasn’t going to do the race. My neck and shoulder were starting to feel better, and I didn’t want to impede my progress, plus I hadn’t really run which is another huge part of the race. I hadn’t done any research and really didn’t know what to expect.

When I got to Nashville, two of the other three girls met me right away at the airport. Right from the beginning, we were laughing so hard we were crying. It was the beginning of a wonderful weekend.

We picked up the fourth girl a few hours later and headed to the Arrington Winery. They were more serious about the race and thought drinking was a bad idea but after careful reconsideration, we thought a few tastings wouldn’t hurt. At this point, I wasn’t racing so I was all about sitting outside and drinking wine.

After a few hours of exploring we got ready and went to dinner. Here the girls started persuading me to do the race. They said what else are you going to do while we are racing? You might as well run/walk it and do the obstacles you can or do squats or something instead of burpees if you miss the obstacle. Don’t hurt yourself but just do it.

It got me thinking that I already paid for this race and should do some type of workout while they go bust their asses. I had workout pants, borrowed a race tank top, and had some sneakers. These were not Spartan sneakers, and I wasn’t even sure they were the most comfortable shoes. But I wasn’t trying to prove anything. I decided to try.

I talked to my husband that night, and he told me I should do it, hurt neck and all. He also had faith in me that I could do most of the obstacles. I thought he must be crazy. Once I got off the phone with him I told the girls that my husband thinks I should do it. But he also thinks of me as the badass CrossFitter I was when we met and that is not the girl I am anymore. But his confidence in me gave me a little in myself.

The next morning, we got up and ready. I felt like the biggest loser and totally unprepared. I had seen a few pictures of people competing at the Spartan races, and I knew the race would be muddy and I would probably get wet. I wish I had my running shoes and wish I would have done a little more cardio and strength training before this weekend.

On the other hand, I also felt calm. I had no expectations of myself, and I wasn’t nervous because I didn’t really know what to expect, plus I wasn’t trying to prove anything. I just thought I’d get a little exercise on a beautiful fall day in Nashville.

As we were driving to the race, we saw a beautiful sunrise. I was really happy I decided to do the race because I didn’t want to miss out on the car ride or the laughs we were having again. The weather was absolutely perfect. Cool and cloudy but not a chance of rain.

As the starting time approached, I did feel a pang of nervousness. There was another couple there from our gym in Florida who do Spartan’s all the time. I was afraid I would look like a fool trying to do a race that I really had no business doing. I started with the other two ladies in my age group. The first obstacle was a hay bail. The second was a four-foot wall. The third was a five-foot wall. I was able to get over all of these and thought well that’s 3 of 28, just keep going. By the fourth obstacle, the girls and the other couple were gone. I knew I couldn’t keep up with them and didn’t even try. They all love running and are way faster than me even when I try. Next was a sandbag carry. Easy enough.

I just kept chugging along, jogging really and crossing off the obstacles as I did them. Even though I hadn’t lifted hard over the summer I knew my strength was my upper body. I knew I could pull myself up and over pretty much anything I could get my hands on. I just kept hoping I didn’t hurt myself. My physical therapist said pushing weight over my head would cause pressure on my neck but pulling weight up may not be as big of an issue. He said start light and see how it feels. As I went through the obstacles things were feeling pretty good. I had a little happy feeling inside.

All of a sudden, I realized I was two miles into the 6.5-mile race and had completed seven obstacles. Now even though I didn’t want to hurt myself, I didn’t want to give up. My husband missed three obstacles when he did his Spartan so that became my goal. My other goal was to not let the fourth girl catch up to me because she started 15 minutes after me (in another age group). So, I continued on my way, talked to a few random people here and there, and completed the obstacles as they came up.

Many of the obstacles were jumping up and pulling my body over a wall then climbing up and over something. Most of these were relatively easy for me and nothing was hurting yet. I tried to use my back muscles and keep my neck straight while running.

The first obstacle I missed was Olympus which was number 12. I tried it and got about one-third of the way into it. I wasn’t sure how to use my legs to help, and I could feel the pressure on my shoulder. I decided to drop. To my relief instead of burpees, I had to do a penalty loop. Yay!

Five obstacles later was the Hercules Hoist. I lifted it up and dropped it. Well, I was supposed to bring it down slowly. Thankfully, I was allowed to do it again and pulled it up and let it down correctly. This was probably not good for my shoulder but I didn’t want to do burpees. The next obstacle was Multi-Rig. This one was very intimidating, and I was nervous about my shoulder and neck. But I swung from the first three rings onto the straight bar. I got through that and onto the next ring. Then I was stuck. I couldn’t get the momentum to get to the last ring and then the bell so 30 burpees it was. Ugh.

I did the inverted wall then it was time for the Spear Throw. I asked the judge for advice. I threw it and hit the board but not with enough might so it fell to the ground. 30 more burpees it was. Eight more obstacles. I was hoping to get through them with no pain and no more burpees.

At this point, we only had about a mile and a half left. I am not a runner and have never found joy in running or achieved that “runner’s high”. I just don’t get it. I want to be a runner but it doesn’t work for me. I have done two half marathons but that was ages ago (2011 and 2013). Anyway, even when I trained consistently I had IT band issues, and during the race they were flaring up again. I tried jogging a few times but the pain would radiate down both knees. I was glad my neck and shoulder were not hurting, but I forgot about the IT band issues with my legs. I didn’t think about how running six miles without training can really hurt. Needless to say, I walked the rest of the race.

I came through the woods and saw that we had about three obstacles left. I could smell the fire! I was so excited that I was about to finish this race and not be disqualified! I went under the dunk wall, up the slip wall, and jumped over the fire!! Woo hoo!! I was done and only had to do 60 burpees and one penalty loop. I couldn’t believe it!

I found my two girlfriends and the other couple. We all chatted about our racing experience. They were all super proud of me and happy that I took the Leap of Faith and did the race. It took them all about an hour and a half and me just over two. Their support and excitement made me feel really excited and proud of myself, too. One of them even said they felt like the obstacles were on the more difficult side of the races they have done. I couldn’t believe it and was so happy I got through most of them.

After a few minutes, we saw the last girl coming out of the woods. We yelled and cheered for her all the way to the finish line. She was so happy to see us and it gave her an extra boost. After she crossed the line, we got our picture taken together and even went back and jumped over the fire together. It was so much fun. We were all so proud of each other and happy that we pushed each other to complete this race.

We had so much fun! These girls are so strong and inspiring. I can’t wait to have another girls’ weekend with a Spartan race attached.

In Spartan, there is a thing called the Trifecta. You have to complete a Sprint, Super, and Beast Spartan race within the calendar year. One of the girls I raced with only needs the Beast to complete her Trifecta. I need to do a Sprint and a Beast. I also would like to do a race with my hubby. The problem is there are only two months left this year!! That’s a lot of miles and a lot of obstacles. But the timing might be right! Stay tuned!

In Family

Jeff’s mom

September 14, 2021 No Comments

As you read in My Prince, I met Jeff in 2017. Prior to this past week, I only met his mother once when we were in Dallas for a wedding. She was having major back issues and seemed very uncomfortable and in a lot of pain. Since then, we have invited Jeff’s mom to several events but she has been hesitant and unwilling to travel. Plus, she had a small dog that needed care. Jeff saw her a few times as he has had layovers in the area.

This summer Jeff’s mom finally said yes! She agreed to come to West Virginia to see her children and grandchildren and other family members. Recently, her little pup was not doing well and needed to be put down. We are heartbroken for her but she no longer had any excuses. So Jeff’s mom was on her way!

Jeff and I agreed to go to Texas to get her and help her maneuver the airport. Although we had to take a roundabout way of getting back to Pennsylvania from Virginia, it was worth it. I think us being there for her really helped her relax and feel more confident about getting on a plane again. Although she was a flight attendant for 25 years she hasn’t really flown since she retired. And I think we were all nervous about how Jeff’s mom would do. But she checked herself in and was at the gate by the time we got our bags and checked back in to met her at the gate. Sometimes you just need to take the leap! And we were so happy that Jeff’s mom was taking the leap at 74!

We were able to celebrate a wonderful birthday dinner as a family with Jeff’s mom on her birthday. She was happy to be surrounded by family on her big day. And we all had a wonderful time. I think sometimes the anxiety of a situation is worse than the actual situation. We all had a great time celebrating this lovely lady. And I hope she felt that, too.

Jeff’s sister lives at the top of a hill in West Virginia with a beautiful overlook. She also has four dogs and Jeff’s mom loved every one of them (as did Gram :)). She has talked about how she loves the views from Jenn’s porch. She loves the birds, the deer, and “even the groundhogs”. Actually, we think she likes it so much that after 35 years away she may move back to West Virginia. And our fingers are crossed that she does!

So in the end it doesn’t matter if you are 8, 15, 21, 32, 50, or 75 the anxiety of a situation is usually much worse than the actual situation. And sometimes no matter how old you are or what situation you are in, sometimes you just need to take the leap!! I, for one, think it will all be alright and whatever will be will be. Just do it!

In Family

Gramps

August 17, 2021 No Comments

I thought I would take a moment to celebrate my grandfather. We called him “Gramps”. So much of this blog has been about Gram and my adventures with her over the past five years that I feel bad that you haven’t gotten to know my Grandpa. He was the talker. He was the one with the huge personality. He was the generous and giving one. Gram and he were married just two weeks shy of 66 years! What a marriage and what a legacy they left on this world. Besides having two children, three grandchildren, and five great children, they left behind 30 years of college students who think of them as family.

Gramps was a member of the United States Navy for four years. My grandmother talked often of him being stationed in the Aleutian Islands and every time my husband would go to Alaska for work she would say that Grandpa was stationed there and asked if that’s where Jeff was going. Jeff does not go to the islands but maybe someday we can go. Gram said Gramps said it was beautiful, and she always wanted to go. Jeff often goes to Anchorage for work, but I have not had the chance to go yet. Hoping my day will come very soon.

Gramps was the social butterfly. Although they both knew all the college kids and took them in when they couldn’t go home for the holidays, he was the one who invited them over. Gram was the one who cooked and got the house ready. He was loud, and he was big compared to tiny, quiet Gram. He had a big old belly and always ate everyone’s leftovers. He always told the story of how they went to Eddie’s Footlongs one night. Usually, his children wouldn’t eat their whole dinner, and they would waste food and throw it away. So one night he decided not to order anything. And wouldn’t you know it, the kids ate every last bite!! Poor Gramps was left with nothing and clearly, he was upset about it because he told that story for years!

Gramps was the basketball coach at Alliance College for over 30 years. The athletes and other students at the college and in our town respected him and admired him. He demanded a lot of his players but many of them now say they would have not made it through college without my grandparents. They would have quit, given up, or flunked out. The pressure and support of my grandparents helped pull them through and now they are successful and many of them say they owe it all to my grandparents.

I loved having him as a Grandpa. We could go to the gym any time we wanted because he had the key. I loved it, but I loved being in the gym. It was so fun. We would play basketball, racquetball, jump on the trampoline, or work out in the weight room. As I got older, I would open the gym for my friends around town. Many of the local guys wanted to play basketball. My grandpa would let them in but only if they let me play with them. He always stressed the importance of free throws. I realized how important they were as I played with the guys from the town. I knew I had to make my free throws to be one of the first 10 players on the court. Then we had to win to keep playing. I feel like playing with the boys really helped me become a better player.

I remember Gramps wearing one of those plastic suits and running laps around the basketball court as we messed around in the gym. He was always trying to lose weight by doing activities but didn’t try too hard when it came to his diet. He loved his food. I tried several times to get him to try different nutrition plans to help him lose weight and help control his diabetes but nothing seemed to stick. He loved food way too much, and I didn’t know at that point how to explain that he needed to use food as fuel. The nutrition lifestyle that my husband and I follow now would have been very beneficial for him and his diabetes. But he ate what he wanted and did what he thought was right for him. As he got older and his body started to fall apart, he would say the same Polish phrase that Gram always did which is “starość to nie radość” which means “it’s hell getting old” according to them.

I miss Gramps so much. Like my husband, Gramps could hold a conversation with anyone about anything. He knew sports and everything about the teams and the players. Gramps was also one of the most giving and generous people I know. He was always trying to give things away, from food, to money, to Steelers tickets. I was young at the time so I may not remember it exactly but I swear one time Gramps gave a family his car because they needed it more than he did. He had season tickets to the Steelers games and most times he would just give the tickets away or sell them for less than face value. I think he believed in karma and that it would come back around.

All in all, I know I am biased but I believe I had the best Gram and Gramps there could ever be. They were a power couple. Everyone who knew them loved them, admired them, and respected them. I am so thankful that I got to spend over 40 years with them although I wish I could have known them when they were younger. I also wish my husband would have had the chance to meet Gramps, and Gramps Jeff. But whenever we get the chance to meet up with former Alliance College players and students, my husband gets to hear stories and gets a little glimpse of the amazing man that he was.

So Gramps, I miss you and love you. I know you and Gram are back to Polka dancing every Saturday night and I can’t wait to see you again. I will try to carry on your legacy here on Earth until that time comes.

In Family

Changes

August 3, 2021 1 Comment

Hello loyal followers,

This past year has shown me how beautiful life is. Although there have been many ups and downs, I continue to give thanks for being so blessed. With that being said, I am trying to make some changes. I am trying to simplify my life, which means simplifying my social media and this blog. I love doing this blog, but for a few months, I felt it was taking time away from my husband and my family. I started this blog to share stories of my Adventures with Gram, and to have something to do when my husband left for work. When I lost Gram, I felt like my inspiration was gone. I wasn’t sure what else to write about. She wasn’t there to make me smile or laugh with her little comments. She wasn’t there by my side when my husband was away, and I missed her. Plus, I didn’t think you wanted to hear about our loss over and over again, and honestly, I wasn’t sure what else to write about.

At this point, I realize I do have many more stories to tell. I have stories about Gram, about caregiving for her, about my travels, and about my journey in love. I want to continue to write, and I hope you will continue to read. My Adventures with Gram, Travel excursions and Family stories will be posted here. I am hoping to get back to a weekly basis, but they will be posted when inspiration finds me 🙂 I LOVE doing the daily inspirations and hope that they inspire you, too. I will also continue with the Weekly Wednesday Workouts. Every now and again I may post a full video here or on Instagram TV but for the most part, I will show you the moves and give you the workout. Please let me know if you need suggestions or modifications.

I am going to try to do more on linked social media and Instagram. Follow me @strong_inspired on Instagram. I will be posting recipes and stories as things come up. Some workouts will also be published on IGTV. Of course, you can always go back and do your favorite workout or find a special recipe on the blog.

I hope you enjoy these changes. If you have any feedback, please email or message me. And please follow me on Facebook and Instagram and share with your friends and family!

In Adventures with Gram

Break From Gram

October 20, 2020 No Comments

In May 2020, my husband and I were supposed to be in the British Virgin Islands on a weeklong sailing trip with friends. We planned a wonderful vacation and it was to be a break from Gram and caregiving responsibilities. Of course, because of Covid-19, it was canceled. Therefore, we decided to take scuba diving lessons instead. Since the shop had limited hours, and the pool was closed to the public, the owner was willing to give us private lessons. We did a few class and pool sessions on our own, then, one morning we had no choice but to take Gram to the pool.

Although she did not scuba dive, she had a great time watching us go underwater. She told me that night she was going to learn to scuba dive 🙂 (I love her sense of adventure as I am not confident that she could even swim now!) She also said she saw something new, and she was excited about it. I love that at her age she is still learning and willing to experience everything life has to offer her. She is such an inspiration.

For our first open water dive, we made our way to Venice Beach, Florida with our instructor. We put our gear on at the truck and waded our way across the beach and into the warm Gulf. It was a beautiful day, and we had a little break from Gram. We were excited and couldn’t wait to see what was underneath the surface!

As we descended, we realized the water was not very clear. We all held onto a line so we wouldn’t lose each other. That was our first lesson in realizing you never know what you will find underneath, so be prepared. We saw thousands of sand dollars, a lost anchor, snapper, various other fish, and conch shells. We did two 25-minute dives. Then we swam back to shore and helped each other out of the water. It was an amazing experience!! I was introduced to a whole new underwater world, which I had only seen on TV or while snorkeling.

For our second dive, we took our boat off the shore of Sanibel Island to Doc Kline reef. Our boat felt so small as we were 10 miles out in the Gulf. The waves seemed huge, and I was so nervous. I was very thankful we decided to take a break from Gram and not bring her with us on this trip. She would have been so scared.

We had to fall off the side of the boat to enter the water. I had practiced that part in the pool, but this was the first time doing it from the side of a boat. I was pretty nervous, but I did it. Check out this video. The visibility down below was much better than our first dive!! We dove down to about 36 feet. We did two 30-minute dives with a 30-minute break on the boat in between the dives. This time, we saw beautiful coral reefs, a lost fishing pole, a buried chest, schools of fish, and various sea creatures. I still need to work on relaxing and breathing calmly as my oxygen tank was almost empty after each dive. I also had trouble clearing my ears, which was pretty painful. I came out of the water with a bloody nose, and later, I found out that my ear bled, too. I hope my scuba diving career is not over before it even begins.

When I first started taking care of Gram, someone told me in order to be a good caregiver, I had to take care of myself first. I know that in order to keep my marriage strong, I must learn to balance caregiving with being a wife and a partner to my husband. And I need to realize it is okay to take a break from Gram. It is okay for us to have time for ourselves. As you read in “Yes, WoMan“, I am a Yes girl, but as a caregiver saying yes isn’t as easy as it was before. Arrangements need to be made, details need to be considered, and decisions need to be weighed. Yes, it is worth it, but it is definitely more work.

As a caregiver (or a parent or a grandparent) just remember you need breaks. It is important to keep yourself happy and healthy as well as your relationship with your significant other. So don’t be afraid to give yourself a minute. Don’t be afraid to take a break.

inspire

Letter to Gram II (Change)

Sometimes

Letter to Gram

Summertime with the Kids

Spartan

Jeff’s mom

Gramps

Changes

Break From Gram

Missing Gram

Like this:

Letter to Gram

Like this: