November is National Caregiver’s Month so I would like to say how much I appreciate all of those whom have provided care and support to me over the past 20+ years. To my husband for seeing issues before they arise and helping me to accomplish the most possible given my limitations. For being there to pick me up when life is challenging and to enjoy the ride when it is forgiving. Thank-you to my son, Sutton, for doing so much of the housework when he was in high school and MS chaos was wild in my life. Thank-you to my sons, Ethan & Everett, for helping along the way.

Thank-you to my mother, Patricia, for listening to me cry over the losses I have grieved and allowing me to discover a new perspective. Thanks, Mom for taking me to Europe to see the Old World; what a treat to it was to travel with you. Thank-you to my mother-in-law, Connie, for cooking all of those meals for my family in the summers when MS disabilities consumed me. Thank-you to my dad, Robert, for brainstorming new pathways in my life and always offering a positive note. Thank-you to my sister, Debbie, for sending me the latest news on multiple sclerosis.

Thank-you to my sister-in-law, Merlaine, for keeping the bead & game parties rolling at my house when all I could do was watch, for permitting me to simply hang on to your coat as you mastered your way around Washington D.C. in one of the coldest snaps in history, and for cooking meals for my family on all those wonderful camping trips when I was so limited. I am truly grateful for the memories.

Thank-you to every friend whom has helped me to complete a task, carry a box, think things through when confusion created memory fog, give me a ride so that I didn’t miss out, and even to figure out which direction to put my fabric under the sewing needle and not to test the iron’s heat with my face. Yes, I have needed some interesting help along the way. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you to my outstanding caregivers in life. May this holiday season bring you peace and happiness.