Paul's Corner

I like the yes that you are saying to life and saying that we choose to be in the ocean--not helpless but very conscious about getting in the water. This riding the wave is a hard skill to learn. Flailing and floundering is what I am good at so far. I will continue to think about what you just wrote. Thank you.

Dear Paul,

A beautiful and grand metaphor for determination and hope, thank you...

When our daughter, Leah, told us not to use the cliche, "one day at a time" after we learned she had MS, Ellie told her we'll use "I will not be beaten!" and she liked that better.

For years Ellie said he loved the song "You Light
Up My Life" because it always reminded him of Leah; for years I wondered why, of our three daughters, did it remind him of her only; now I know; she has acceptance.

When she told me over the phone yesterday she has a degenerative disease, I still cannot come to terms with that, but she has.

The lyrics say, "you give me hope to carry on" and
so we must.

You have always been optimistic and we are awed by you in so many ways but mostly by your attitude, your many talents, and your devotion to your family and your friends.

All I can say now is: I wish I was born rich instead of beautiful...I would spread it around, for sure!

Shalom and Love,

Grandma Mil

Thank you Paul for this perspective!

Grandma Mil we are in the same predicament. I was also born beautiful but not rich...From the 25th greatest fan. Liz

To swim along the rip and not against it, is to be one with it. Sometimes that is difficult when you end up there unexpectedly and not by choice, as in taking a dip in the ocean and accidentally ending up in a rip tide, and in getting a disease when you feel you've been living a healthy life. Yes we choose life. Either way. It's human nature to fight for life. There's that word fight. I do understand what you are saying Paul, about not fighting it. This only wears you out faster. There is no way to get to the other side of the strife unless we stop fighting. In say this, I think we all need to find the correct strategy, as in swimming along the rip tide and not trying to swim over it, in order to meet the challenges that we face each and every day.

Thank you Paul. You're tenacity and strength is so inspirational. So many here are encouraged by it. You will prevail. We just know it. We all need to win the lotto! Right now I am scrounging around for a way to earn some quick cash or I'm in for a long swim back to shore myself!

Always fight the good fight - just fight smart. Fighting against the rip is not a good fight or a smart fight.

I am about to be swamped by a tsunami and believe me I will be fighting for my life and my family's - hopefuly I will maintain the smart fight!

I wish I felt the optimism, tenacity and strength you guys talk of. But like any life warrior I trust in my ability to overcome the odds and come out at the other end happy.

I have had both blunders and successes. Knowing what you are up against, being respectful of its power makes you a smart warrior. But is life a war--we are not fighting it, but are living it and are one with it, the joys and the trials. Saying that you trust your ability to overcome the odds and come out the other end happy is a statement of your power.

I discovered that even in the depths, when life seems hopeless I cannot resist being happy--and I have beeen through times when my life or everything that seemed to give it meaning was on the line. Somehow my love for life and the love of the ones around me pushes through all that. I am not an expert on life's trials or how to avoid them but the rip tide analogy is a very good one to go by.

I just contradicted myself--I was saying above I really was doing more of the flailing and fighting the current but also admit to suceeding at times--yes it's both. Both spectacular blunders and successes!!! I guess I am having more of a balanced view now.