Greetings!

Time for the latest update.   Still dealing with the swelling - the bain of my existence!   But I think it is improving.   My look has gone from Fred Flintstone - a blockhead and neck look, to Shirley McLain in the movie Valentines Day- short hair, round full face, squinty eyes  (If you have not seen Valentines Day yet - I highly recommend it - you get to see love at all stages!) to a Picasso painting - one side not looking anything like the other to it's current state- the duck bill!   This is a classic - I have pouty lips, a full chin and a butt crack cleft on my chin just under my lips.    And this is an improvement.   Such an improvement in my eyes that I felt confident attending a retirement ceremony with Tom.    Wow - was I blown away!

First I want to say that the people there who knew  my situation were kind and welcoming.   But those who had not seen me since we were in the Coast Guard and did not know - they did not recognize me and when Tom introduced me they just stared in shock.    Wake up call Leslie - you do look like a freak!    And while you have improved, you are still not normal.   It was all I could do to keep my head up and soldier on....    They meant no harm, but I really had a re-evaluate my going out in public.    It was bad enough when I scared the little girl at the baseball game with my hacking, but when I saw the look in peoples eyes that I knew....let's just say it rocked me to my core....

The thought of going to the after party had me terrorized.   The last thing I wanted to do was to encounter more looks and whispers, but Tom in all his grace could not see attending the event without me.   We have done this together - and we would continue to do this together - and so I put on my big girl panties and went!   It was a wonderful celebration for a wonderful family and I was glad to share it with Tom.   Moreover, I was glad that Tom still wanted to share it with me - regardless of how Iooked!    I just need to get over my vanity, look at my situation from a realistic point of view and be Ok with not being 100%.   Lessons in pride management....

Today is a better day.   A visit from a friend, completion of our taxes (this is 7 months ahead of last year!), time to cook a good meal for Tom and time to visit with you and unpack my mess of a brain....every day is a learning and growing opportunity if you just take the time to gain a little perspective.   

I am a work in progress....

PS. I published this without my latest Ben Photos = they always brighten my day!   Hope they do yours as well