Young Marcella, My Biggest Fear and a Prosthetics Update

Bonjour! So, this update is well overdo but my little "assistant" idea didn't really go as planned. However, my hubby did step in—what a good guy.

For starters, my hands are doing a bit better but sill pretty tender. We ended up working on both hands but the bulk of the work was on my right. This was considered a "reconstruction" surgery for prosthetic fitting. If your curious as to what my hands will look like you can check out silicon hands on the web. I don't have a great photo as of yet or I would share with you.

It's all about change update—I am up to $88 in savings with my change. I can't wait to make my first donation. I had several recommendations to read the book Christmas Jars as it is about a similar concept. Very good read and I just found out that it is being made into a movie in 2008.

As Nick shared below, I have had a great opportunity to meet a wonderful 5 year old, Marcella, who lost both of her hands & feet due to a staph infection which turned into meningitis. When we met, she looked at my hands, then hers, but never asked me any questions. We played catch for quite a while—I wish the Yankees could have seen us. :)

She doesn't know she is any different and her spirit was amazing. I have been asked to go with her on her next doctor appointment and hopefully start to educate and get her to the best care possible. I feel really blessed to be doing this.

My biggest fear was somewhat conquered this past week. I received a call from a company after the Dallas Morning News article ran, asking if I would mind sharing my story with the sales team. I thought about it for a day or so and then just said 'yes'. For some of you, this is probably no big deal. However, let me give you a little history on my speaking apprehensions.

When I was in high school and college, speaking was a requirement. I never did understand this—why torture people? Both times, I took it my senior year with all the freshman—how uncool. They all thought I had flunked and had to retake it. Then, to add to an already bad situation, I would ask the teachers if I could give my speeches to them privately.

I would get an answer like "uh, doesn't that defeat the purpose?" to which I would reply "what exactly is the purpose of being so nervous that you can't talk, upset stomachs and a bad grade?" Somehow I ended doing about 50% to the class and about 50% to the teacher. The art of negotiation is beautiful.

So, how did it go last week? Great! I had such a good time. I think once you get started it becomes easier but I just always had the problem of getting started. Anyway, thank you so very much for wanting to hear my story and for giving me the tools to make my first time easier than my college days.

Swimming—still loving this. But, my hand can't get the chlorine so I'm on hold for a while. Pilates—Donna & I are getting ready for the seminar/workshop February 8-10. There are still spots available. Just go to Traditional Pilates: The Essence of Joe. It's going to be fun!

Human connection—Just wanted to share a quick story. I was out yesterday and went into a store where the sales lady starts spending time with me. After about thirty minutes she says to me "young lady, how did you hurt yourself?" It was a really sweet way of asking me what had happened. When I explained it to her she shared with me how she had lost her husband a few months ago.

I really felt for her because you could tell how much of a connection she had with him. I have the opportunity to engage in these type of conversations more & more now and it just seems to enrich my life everyday to know that I am learning the core of who people are.

I have had a few relationships that were surface or superficial that weren't very challenging. These intimate conversations are really what life is about—the real human connection. I guess I have changed, in more ways than one, but I hope this can become contagious.

Have a great rest of the weekend. I have more coming!

Amour,

Jen