Keep on keeping on...

Today I went to acupuncture....

The first time I went to acupuncture was about 6 years ago.  It was my last thing to try to help my hands.  I was a hair stylist and my hands and fingers were broken out something terrible.  I should have listened to my body then saying you need to do something different.  However, I was stubborn.  I think I've mentioned that before.  I loved my job and didn't want to quit and was going to exalt all efforts to keep working.  Now looking back I think, wow how did I not see how important it is for me to be home with my boys?  Oh well, live and learn.  And that's exactly what I'm doing.  So the first time I went I was terrified to say the least.  My dad drove me and talked me through the whole process and of course cheered me on.  He was always one of my biggest cheerleaders.  Yes, I've been very blessed with tons of support with everything I do and I'm so very thankful!  So dad and I talked during the drive to Oklahoma City (about and hour away) about life and all sorts of things.  He always had a way of making you think...I mean really making you think about things.  He waited on me while I was getting my treatment.  I should make a note right here about how my dad always waited on me!  That's a whole story in itself.  So after my 2 hour long appointment, my dad stopped to get me something to eat and then drove me home while I slept.  He'd tell me to lay back the seat and if you go to sleep then we will fly home kid!  He told me that every since I can remember!  So I laid back my seat and he turned up the radio.  He either listened to conservative talk radio or oldies and I mean loud with the ac on high.  So it might be middle of August and 105 outside but I always carried a blanket because he'd freeze me out.  That was always the best sleep!  One of the comforting things my dad did for me and one of the many ways he always looked out for me.

So after my first visit, dad and I decided he'd go with me and get a treatment as well.  The next week we both went and from then on we went together.  It was our thing to do together.  Sometimes we'd actually stop to eat somewhere or he'd help me get my shopping done at Sam's.  Sometimes we'd have the boys with us and they'd play and go back and forth between our rooms.  We usually always had a great time.  That's one of the things about my dad, you usually always had a great time with him around.  He could turn any situation into a positive one and always get you to laugh all while teaching you a good lesson and really making you think!  I didn't realize just what dad was doing or how important it was until these last few years.  I'm thankful I was listening when he was teaching!

Today was just a little tough...bittersweet.  As I got in the car to go to OKC to get acupuncture treatment, my mind was flooded with memories of my dad.  Great memories!  I'm not saying it wasn't a hard day but it also gave me great comfort.  It's like I could feel my dad with me today and all alone at the same time.  Driving alone with no one to talk to, I realized just how much I miss my dad!  I miss him!  I miss him!  I miss him!  Oh, how I miss him!  I'm so thankful that I can feel him around all the time.  Today was another reminder that I'm all grown up now.  But I can tell he's proud of the way I'm living and I can hear him say "keep on keeping on kid".  Even though it was a tough day, it was really good in many ways.  I'm beginning to understand the saying when things come full circle.  When I think about where I was in my life the first time I went to acupuncture and where I'm at in my life now, I'm in awe of how things change and often times for the better even when we don't see it or understand it.  So no matter how hard this process may be I will "keep on keeping on" because that's what my dad taught me.  Just another life lesson that I'm so thankful for!  Just as dad always said, "Everyday is a training day".  I walked through another one with strength and that's all any of us can do.

Trinity