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*photo by Elaine A. Russell

I feel like there are great changes that are going to be happening this year.
It feels like there is great movement rumbling about.

One of the big changes that I have not talked about on my post... before now... is about my daughter. I hesitated for a long time, as it is a personal issue... and I didn't want anything to hurt her... or add to her problems in any way. However, she has given me permission to talk about it... and so I will share a little.
My daughter is really, really smart... and really, really creative ( and that's not just me as a mom talking ). She is an incredible artist, and has sold her artwork since she was 12.
She has always had some OCD tendancies... like so many people in my family. After graduating from home school last year however... things exacerbated. I still don't know what the triggers were... and perhaps never will. But... the behaviours manifested most obviously with her diet. She lost about 80lbs in a year... and went on a strict diet. She was being very restrictive on the amounts of food she ate... her fat consumption was nill... and her carbs and protein consumption was very low. Additionally, she had increased her daily amount of exercise. And there were/are other behaviours as well...

Unfortunately, alot of this was going on while I was traveling back and forth to PA... and I was not around to be as supportive (or even aware) as I could've/ should've been. I take alot of responsibility for that. And I feel awful. On the other hand, she is an adult... and there is only so much you can do for someone without infringing on their sense of self and independence. She never, fortunately, got to a critical point health-wise, or needed hospitalization... although it was pretty darn sketchy at times.

Having been home now since the end of October, she and I have been able to grow much closer... and I feel like things are settling down a bit with her OCD behaviours... and getting them more within her comfort level of control. I love her beyond measure. I am so very proud of who she is and how she has grown and matured into this lovely woman...

I felt compelled to write about it, in the hopes that it will open the doors of communication to someone else who may be having a similar issue. Control is a hard thing. Not enough is dangerous... so is too much. Like so many things in life... we strive for a balance...

This is not the end of the story... as I feel like (as with so many health issues)... this is an ongoing thing that she will be facing each and every day. However, I am more than confident that she is up for the task...

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Also, this past weekend, I got the opportunity to check out the Fair Trade Gift Festival at the Harwood Art Center here in ABQ. It was awesome. Although relatively small in size, it was wide in the variety of items for sale.
The show was sponsored by Help=Hope and Children of The Americas. These organizations sponsor many events and programs to benefit shelters and kids worldwide.

There were unique and handmade items including: musical instruments, jewelery, baskets, ornaments, candles, and many other things from around 30 countries.

Best of all... I was able to purchase a couple fabulous holiday presents for friends and family... while helping out through these organizations to people all over the world.

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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Yesterday, we were able to spend a couple of hours with our granddaughter... and she is wonderful.

The "circle of life" has been so very close and obvious this year... and it is such a blessing to be able to see the other end of things... birth, life, the promise of things to come...

*all photos by Kristin M. Russell

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(photos by Elaine A. Russell)

I am at a loss for words. My dad was just diagnosed this week with bone cancer. It's hard for me to even type the words.

In his lifetime... he has had 2 heart attacks, 2 strokes, prostate cancer twice, skin cancer .. numerous places, he had a kidney removed because of cancer, and now this. Not to mention surgeries... broken bones and the like. And about a year ago... Diabetes.

On one hand. He is tough. Super tough. John Wayne tough.
On the other... how much does a person have to take?




My sister passed away a couple years ago from Stage 4 breast cancer with metastasis. She fought for 7 years... and was simply and unequivocally beautiful *inside and out* throughout her ordeal. I have had my episodes as well.... but I have probably not been as nice and cheerful as she was. But I digress.

If you look at the statistics for my hometown... they are astronomical in the amount of cancer per ca pita. My theory.... is that it is from an animal hide tannery that used to be in the area; and I think things just got into the land and water tables that shouldn't have... but it's just a theory.

Where am I going with this? Life is hard. Sometimes it's harder than at other times. Some people handle life's curves with grace ... some do not do as well. I know my dad will be able to handle whatever life throws at him. He always has...and I'm sure he will continue to not only do it with grace... but with style and courage... and be an inspiration to those around him.

But as a daughter.... I just wish I could fix it.