Happy 2023 Festivus!

This is one of my favorite holidays....Festivus.

 There will definitely not be feats of strength for me but boy do I have grievances to air:

• Lack of compassion or interest in the medical community

This year stunk! Six hospitalizations, countless doctor appointments and tests, two weeks on a vent, more antibiotics and medicines than I have ever been in my life. At almost $1 million in bills, there are still no answers. To be honest, they stopped looking after just a few tests. No one seems to care about finding an answer. No one seems interested. The doctors are so focused on their only area of expertise and no one is willing to open their mind to new ideas. They barely get to know the patient or what is happening. My mom and I have had to work so hard to keep me alive this year that I am still waiting for our paychecks. It is amazing to me how many medical people complained to me this year about how rough it was for them and everything going on with them. Seriously?!? It is time for people in the medical profession to begin listening more, caring more, and paying better attention.

• Lack of customer service and the waning work ethic

Where do I begin? How hard is it to put the items you ordered into a bag? If it is food, include a few napkins and straws. It seems that across the board it is getting more difficult to find people who care about their job. As an identified workaholic, this is just something I do not understand. It is time to demand good service. We have to stop accepting this as "it is what it is." It doesn't have to be this way. 

• Lack of values in politics

It is said in the new Wonka movie, "The greedy beat the needy every time." I told my mom, we need to create a shirt that says, "Stop the greedy beating the needy and Vote!" Congress should be ashamed of going home this holiday season, they have accomplished very little. It is time to put their agendas first. Our founding fathers created a structure based on a balance of power and representation of the people. While it wasn't perfect, it was done with good intent. It is time to return to governing for all people, not just a few. We must demand more from our elected officials. It is not too late to get back to a country united and living up to our pledge.

Amongst all of my grievances, I have not lost faith in humanity. I am surrounded by so much love and support, which is never lost on me. This love got me through some very dark and stormy days this year.

One of my favorite pictures of Mom and me! This picture speaks to the strength of our relationship. Not every day is unicorns and rainbows but we are undoubtedly connected deeply. We are always there for each other. I wouldn't want to go through this journey without anyone else. We have endured all of these grievances together this year but never stopped being able to laugh and find joy throughout the way.

 

My mantra for 2024:

2024 looking forward to what's in store!

For tonight . . . I'm just sayin' XOXO