Life and Random Thinking

24 Years is a long, long time.

Posted on July 6, 2011 by dfolstad58

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

TODAY I was happy to celebrate my 24th birthday; okay you caught me. My birthday is in October, this was really an anniversary.

It is the anniversary of my kidney transplant back in 1987. I had a transplant in 1986 that failed after a very eventful, but horrible five months. That April was during the expo and I had a pass to go to it but I was limited to the hallways of Vancouver General. I nearly never left those.

In 1987 I had a second chance at a transplant and was off hemodialysis again. How fortunate to have a second chance so quickly. I was mentally traumatized from 1986 and facing the hospital again I both wanted and didn’t want to be there again.

After about 12 days after my surgery in July 1987 the doctors came to my bed and said, if it doesn’t start by tomorrow ~ we’ll have to do something and that may include removing the transplant. Miracle! It started that night. Finally my road back to full recovery began, I will spare you details.

Now in 2011 I count my blessings almost every day. Those days of being on a machine are faded memories. I am blessed with more than a transplant; I am blessed also with an awareness of the gift of good health.

I am also aware of what friendship means, and love. I was blessed by friends who visited regularly even when I couldn’t barely lift my head to say hello. My supportive, beautiful, young wife who sat by my side even when I didn’t know she was there. She held my hands, prayed for me and waited for me to know when she was there. She was wondering I am sure, whether she would be a wife or widow after those long hours, days, weeks and months in my room, at my bedside while Mandy was only three years old. Sue came to the hospital when she could, and she was there when I needed her the most.

Yes 24 years of good health, and a successful transplant is worthy of a little celebrating. I celebrate the health, I thank the doctors who operated (Jamie Wright) and my family and friends who gave me strength and hope when mine was depleted.

24 years is a long, long time. Those memories are old now, and I bring them out and dust them off only when I need to be reminded how blessed I am.

Posted in family, Thinking Out loud | Tagged Kidney transplantation, Organ donation, Organ transplantation, Transplant | Leave a comment

Sunshine and Cherries

Posted on July 5, 2011 by dfolstad58

It’s July in the Okanagan and you and the weather is hot and dry. Of course, this is what we look forward to during those dreary days in December when the sun sets at 4:30.

Lost and in the past are the days of my youth when I played “kick the can” in the front yard. One summer I bought bags of peas and a long straw for pea fights with my neighbour Gary. Great fun until peas started sprouting everywhere in our yards.

The ice cream truck would trundle by in the evening and we often got a fudgesickle, and those days the ice cream was affordable.

I still like to run through the sprinkler and my wonderful son jumped around with me in the back yard just last weekend; cold, fun and refreshing, and free!

Summer camp was also a big part of my summers then. My kids both went to camp but I not only went to the camps as a camper I also went back as a counselor for part of one summer. That was so cool, adored by jillion (conservatively speaking) young girl campers, that was the best for my 17 year old ego. Ha!

Running in the sun, swimming in the lake, canoeing, crafts, planning activities, teaching archery ~ all that plus a $1 per day. Best job I’ve ever had, and a wonderful memory.

Posted in Thinking Out loud, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Just like Cheers, but no Norm :)

Posted on July 1, 2011 by dfolstad58

Remember the show called Cheers? The show took place in Boston in a pub. Norm was the funny guy always at the end of the bar. The theme song said you were welcome and you felt at home.

I have visited all four Toastmasters Clubs in the south Okanagan, no bar, no beer, and no Norm but after I leave every Club visit I have a natural smile on my face. Sometimes I may feel a little tired before the meeting but by the time the meeting is over; I am refreshed, and renewed.

All the Clubs in the South Okanagan have differences and they all are innovative. All of the follow the Toastmasters Organisation format and are attended by people with different backgrounds, and lives to share; to learn from. I really appreciate hearing those stories, and hearing toastmasters rock, saying how Toastmasters is fun, they’ve learned and benefited so much.

Doors open, and opportunities sprout from Toastmasters.

Toastmasters is Worldwide, the world’s biggest educational and fun club. Members stay decades or stay for a few years, but everyone who joins will learn and benefit providing they invest their time, and open mind.

It amazes me when I tell someone about Toastmasters and they have never heard of it; but I was uninformed myself a few years ago so I need to rethink my amazement.

My recommendation to anyone I chat with about Toastmasters is the same. Check it out! Be a guest, be confident no one will make you speak if you don’t want to; no arm twisting, but take my word when you will leave the meeting every time, 🙂 feeling better than when you arrived.

that’s my experience and the experience of the many many toastmasters I have had the pleasure of chatting to.

Posted in Toastmasters, Uncategorized | Tagged Toastmaster, Toastmasters International | Leave a comment

Nothing beats the personal touch!

Posted on June 28, 2011 by dfolstad58

I broke down and have a cell phone again. Aaargh!

20,000 apps for my cell phone!

Now I have to admit that cell phones have a purpose, when you are lost, when others are worried about you etc.

But nothing beats the personal touch! I will trade 100 texts or email for an hour with a friend in a coffee shop, medium roast coffee scent in the air and a sticky cinnamon bun; or maybe a poppy seed muffin.

Besides the sticky bun, you can see the person’s face, the nuances in their voice, and (ta da) give them a hug and show them the visit was meaningful. Electronic visits are easy to be misunderstood, and teflon clean. Each person probably typing or untyping what they are nervous to share.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Keep the electronics devices sure but for me they will never replace the face-to-face meetings and hugs shared with family, friends and others whom make life so real, and special.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

A Year ago

Posted on June 22, 2011 by dfolstad58

Do you remember a year ago? What were you worried about then? Did you have a goal for the summer? What was your vision, and your plan to succeed?

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

I know a year ago I was concerned about taking a new post as an executive in my Toastmasters Club. I was elected VP Education and then circumstances resulted in my also taking on the President’s role as well. My vision was to see the Club grow, and to have a Club where people challenged themselves and felt recognized for their achievement. My plan to succeed was to try and coordinate the vision of the executive, and to personally connect to as many of the Club members as possible.

My year is up, I didn’t achieve everything I had a vision for; and I know I could have done better, but I did try. I have to accept that.

I also was involved in a successful conference committee last year. In May 2011 the Spring conference was held in Osoyoos – lots of posts here about that conference. Once again I was part of a strong committee where I learned a great deal, wonderful people. I know I could do better next time, but I learned, enjoyed myself and I am at peace with that.

Now another year beckons and new challenges, new goals. As I step into the shoes for Area Governor for Toastmasters, I am reassured that I can meet the challenges head on.

No need to worry about challenges in my vision, and a year hence I may not even remember my hesitation or worries taking on the role.

Fortunately Toastmasters is very supportive at every level and although the past Area Governor is finished her term. I succeed her knowing that she will be around and available to make certain I don’t flounder.

As you look ahead to the summer, and maybe the fall; consider what you would like to do, not the problems that might crop up. Have a vision, and make a plan to succeed; some guidelines to implement your vision.

Whatever happens is up to us, even this blog is just an exercise. If I fail then I will still benefit from the lessons learned; if I am successful a little I have accomplished what I could not have had I not attempted. My blog goal is simply to attempt to communicate, entertain, and maybe – just maybe something more. You tell me if I did more.

Chinese Proverb: Talk does not cook rice.

Posted in Thinking Out loud, Toastmasters, Uncategorized | Tagged Self Improvement | 1 Comment

A priceless moment

Posted on June 20, 2011 by dfolstad58

Now I understand the value of a photo. This picture is from about 1963. Our family lives in Quesnel then I would have been about 5. The good looking guy in the picture is Tiger. A great friend when you get scared at night because he sleeps at the foot of your bed, and thumps his tail to reassure if you wake up to strange sounds.

A Priceless Moment

The cowboy boots are a gift from Guido. Guido was my grandfather on my Mom’s side. He was born in 1901 and was a gentlemen in every respect. He loved his gardening, his family, his accordion playing, his church and was a wonderful host at all times. If this picture was in colour the vest was the colour of light brown, the boots dark brown, the shirt was white with a black tie.

spiffy eh?

A wonderful picture and it brings back memories of that house. It was across the street from a junker car, in a little turnabout. I had so much fun playing there. My Dad made me an ice rink one winter in the front yard. We could toboggan down the hill beside our house. I lost my thumbnail when I tried to help get potatoes out of the cellar and my little brother accidentally dropped the lid. We used to tunnel under the snow in the winter it was so deep and I learned to ride a two-wheeler there. A small town but it was plenty big enough in my memory, there were blueberries we used to pick out of town and my Dad was kinsman. My Mom baked bread in the little house and I remember laying on my stomach watching Secret Squirrel & Morocco Mole. I had a happy childhood.