shira

I love Monday mornings when I can get up early, with a piping hot cup of coffee, sit in a sunlit room and spend some time reflecting on the previous week.

Last week was a big one for me personally, I gave my first talk discussing my journey caring for Mom, how we chose joy and the resulting project - www.choosingjoy.com . In the days leading up to the speech I jotted down the three year timeline where Mom’s health was seriously challenged and then filled in the outline with hilarious, hard and heartening stories. My honesty was that I hadn’t shared my story in this sort of forum before and had no idea what to expect.

Each time I read through the speech I continually broke down into tears, tears of joy, tears of sadness and tears of hormones! I thought to myself, how am I gonna get through this lecture if I am in this state. I was also concerned about the content. Mom’s and my experience was not typical. Given her character, silly bone and general outlook was fairly eccentric, I wasn’t sure how others would relate. My hope was that people would interpret it as they wished and simply saw it as a different perspective on managing a rough situation.

The morning of the lecture was a huge race against the clock. We had received a call from the printers that our book The Living Index was coming off the presses and we could swing by to pick up a copy on the way to the speaking engagement. We hustled across town grabbed the book and got to our destination with minutes to spare. I was greeted at the seniors centre by smiling faces and immediately felt welcomed and calm.

I had the pleasure to talk for about 45 minutes and then afterwards had a question and answer session. The session turned into a round table sharing circle where unbelievably inspiring men and women opened up and disclosed the most brilliant stories of caring both in a professional environment and to their nearest and dearest. Listening to these remarkable people peel off their layers and bravely express their truths was one of the most fulfilling experiences I have had in a very long time. I realized that in a small way by sharing with my story with others I may of helped others find the courage to share theirs.

I look forward to other opportunities like the one that I had last week at the South Surrey Seniors Centre… to feel connected to other, to be inspired by their truths and triumph and to meet others that - recognize the uplift, motivating triumph in being alive!