The best way to be prepared is to plan. This takes time and coordination, but this is little to ask when it comes to the safety of our families.

Children are naturally inclined to choose juice or chocolate milk over water. This leads to adults who choose soda and flavored juices. We need to encourage our children and ourselves to improve our water habits. 

Uveitis–what a nasty monster. If I had thought the swollen joints and shots that led up to this point in our journey were tough, I was in for a rude awakening.

Wisconsin winters are long and brutal. It’s really hard to get motivated to go for a run when your entire street is covered with ice, or the wind chill is 25 below.

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, and the ache hits close to home as I hold my newborn. I haven’t forgotten, nor will I ever forget, the babes that I did not get to hold this side of heaven.

January has always been a hard month for Lily, and we can’t really figure out why. Yes, it has been when the temp usually drops and the snow REALLY starts to fly—but one would think that spring—in all its cold and wet glory—would be worse for those with arthritis.

And even a tiny bit of Play-Doh residue left on her hands or pushed underneath a fingernail has the potential to cause a big-time reaction. It didn’t – thank God. But that lesson did show me that I live in an ignorant bubble when it comes to food sensitivities and allergies – and I will never take for granted my kids’ normal digestive systems ever again.

The time to take care of our health and prevent diseases, like Alzheimer’s, is NOW.  What, you’re too young for dementia?  Most likely, yes, you are too young to have dementia right now (no, mommy brain doesn’t count).

Now, the only journal I keep is a small, 5-year daily calendar with about 4 tiny lines for each day.  You only have space for one single memory per day.  I bought this calendar when my twins were born four years ago, and I have not kept up very well until this year. 

I’m telling you, if something has the power to make you appreciate everything around you, make you have more empathy and compassion and generosity towards others, and also grow your faith and positive attitude – everyone should have it.  That’s why I agree with the patient that everyone should have cancer for a day.