My Melmoirs

           I don't get to see my families as often as I'd like but whenever I do, I always leave feeling happier and lighter.  Family feels good.  Today I had the pleasure of seeing my extended family on my mom's side.  Though it was under unfortunate circumstances, I always enjoy seeing this side of the family because there are no facades, we are who we are and it's refreshingly honest.  When this side of my family gets together we can go from hysterical laughter to tears in less than 15 minutes and I love that about us.        As I sat there taking in 'family time' I couldn't help but think about how important my families are to me.  I say families because I consider myself to have many:  the ones I was born into (both immediate and extended,) the one I married into, the one I've built over the years through soulful connections, and the one that Mark & I created when we committed to one another. ...

    (Clearly I'm not a "selfie" pro)      I am happy to report that last week was a productive one--both physically and mentally.  After 5+ weeks of IV antibiotics, 3 weeks of oral antibiotics, 2+ weeks of inhaled antibiotics and several other Western medicines failed me, I decided to go back to an Eastern approach...and it's helping!  I'm finally starting to feel better and regain functionability.  I knew it has been a long road, but could really see it all over my husband's face when he came home from work a few days ago and was excited to find me perky and productive instead of curled up on the couch [small victories].  He could see that I was starting to feel better and I could see just how bad things have been.      Mark introduced me to a mangosteen juice called Xango  years ago.  Since it's on the expensive side, I've only piddled with it occasionally and had seen some benefits but was never 100% sold...u...