Well, a FINE and good morning to you sports fans…Welcome to Super Bowl Sunday!

I’d like to introduce you to someone today. His name is Ryan Asdourian and he, like many who read these pages, lives with Multiple Sclerosis.

Ryan is one of those fun-geeky type guys who works for a little software firm in my neighborhood of the country. Well, he’s actually more on the fun side of that fun-geeky spectrum but he gets up in the morning, works hard, volunteers in his community, loves his life and plays equally as hard as he works. He even has a second, part-time job…

Last year, Ryan decided that it was time to do something for the cause so dear to each of us even though we’d rather all spend our time and energy on another. Ryan wanted to raise money for research into a cause and eventually a cure for MS and to help people living with Multiple Sclerosis.

I am always grateful for friends, and family, and where I get to live but sometimes that feeling of gratitude is incredibly overwhelming. I’m having that feeling today.

Vancouver is an amazing city to live in. We get it all–not just rain, contrary to popular opinion. On Anselm’s last birthday we were at the beach, barefoot. That was February. On Thanksgiving, he was in shorts and a tee-shirt at the beach again. And that was October. We get snow but not too much, and we get rain. A lot of rain. But that’s only because we live in a rain forest. Oceans and mountains, trails and beaches, mild weather… I absolutely love my little corner of the planet.

I have amazing friends. Not just peripheral friendships, but deep connections that allow me to just be me. No judgement, no criticism. Just good old-fashioned support and love. I have not only one of these friendships, but a handful. I am truly blessed and I know this because I really don’t deserve it. I had a friendship like this before and I tore her heart out. Maybe that’s why I can really appreciate these people now.

I’m exhausted.

Anselm’s home sick today.

My schedule has been cleared–no school drop off and pick up, no play date for Anselm after school, no therapy at the hospital this morning.

I wrote down my to do list on the white board before bed last night but it has all fallen to the wayside. Today will be a day of rest as I try to keep my head above water.

I’m wavering on the edge of something and I don’t want to know what’s on the other side so I’m doing my damnedest to stay on familiar ground.

I’ve changed up my diet a bit this week. Maybe the change hasn’t been good. I’ve added a bit of stress this week too. Maybe that addition hasn’t been good either.

Please send healing vibes my way if you have a moment.