a little bit of the day to day
quinn was my lovely lady-in-waiting this morning and brought me delicious toast and honey with milky tea to start my day off right. had the interview with Gloria at 10:30 for the CBC Radio One Noon Hour Show (it was pre-recorded).
It's always funny hearing your own voice, it never sounds how you think it's going to sound. I really like this 'interview by phone' thing. It helps me out by still making me feel like I'm being proactive and making a difference but it doesn't require the energy of getting all made up and dressed and leaving the house. No one can tell over the phone that I havn't washed my hair in 3 days and am wearing Tinkerbell pajamas. Awesome.
After lunch Cyrus came over and set up our tiny studio in my living room again. Today I painted Savilla, a beautiful model, inside and out, who received a living donor kidney transplant from a complete stranger 10 months ago. An incredible story! Then was Darvy who is a fellow CF-er and double-lung transplant recipient just like me! He had me in stitches while I painted and was super fun to photo as well.
I'm really proud of what Cyrus and I are learning along the way and how each photoshoot seems to get better and better. The other great thing is that everyone we've met on this journey has been so generous with their time and energy. And I've learned that every transplant is a fascinating story waiting to be told...I'm glad we are getting the opportunity...no wait...we didn't GET this opportunity...we made it up! We seized it! I'm not sure yet where this project will end up but I know it will be powerful and beautiful. So grateful to our inspiring models!
This weekend I am attending the 65 Roses Gala. I'm really excited to get dressed up and see some familiar faces. I just hope I can make it though the night without getting too worn down. I'll be flanked by all of my ladies in waiting (aka my BEST FRIENDS!!!) Kassia is even flying in from Calgary tomorrow to join in. At my table is Ming, Quinn, Kassia, Phil, Justin, Jay, Gillian, Betsy, Ryan and myself. There is a silent auction, a delicious fancy dinner, a guest speaker (this year, not someone from my family!! Ali Brennan..I'm sure she'll do a wonderful job.)and then the fun really starts with a live auction and a great live band. I'm sure I can rely on my friends to push my wheelchair and take me on some spins on the dancefloor. For the first year, I am staying downtown in the hotel so that I can have somewhere close by to get ready and to able to rest during the night if I get worn out. I can't wait to see what the room looks like! I'll take lots of pictures...must charge battaries!
On a totally separate note, tonight I made a big step. I got back in touch with one of my old best friends that I lost after breaking up with Greg. It was too hard for us to remain friends during the break up but I missed him so much and now with all the re-evaluating of life and what matters...I got back in touch. He came to one of the screenings and I've never been so glad to see someones face.
We talked tonight for hours and I'm overwhelmingly glad that we're going to be part of each others lives again. He gets me, he was there for me throughout the whole transplant last time and we had been close for years. It's amazing how when things get tough the little things can be forgotten and friendships can be reforged. Shane asked all the right questions, wasn't afraid to face the tough stuff and is one of those guys who can laugh throughout it all. I'm so glad for my friends. And right now? There's no such thing as too many good people.
I do still miss some of the very best people who are far away. *lesigh*
It's always funny hearing your own voice, it never sounds how you think it's going to sound. I really like this 'interview by phone' thing. It helps me out by still making me feel like I'm being proactive and making a difference but it doesn't require the energy of getting all made up and dressed and leaving the house. No one can tell over the phone that I havn't washed my hair in 3 days and am wearing Tinkerbell pajamas. Awesome.
After lunch Cyrus came over and set up our tiny studio in my living room again. Today I painted Savilla, a beautiful model, inside and out, who received a living donor kidney transplant from a complete stranger 10 months ago. An incredible story! Then was Darvy who is a fellow CF-er and double-lung transplant recipient just like me! He had me in stitches while I painted and was super fun to photo as well.
I'm really proud of what Cyrus and I are learning along the way and how each photoshoot seems to get better and better. The other great thing is that everyone we've met on this journey has been so generous with their time and energy. And I've learned that every transplant is a fascinating story waiting to be told...I'm glad we are getting the opportunity...no wait...we didn't GET this opportunity...we made it up! We seized it! I'm not sure yet where this project will end up but I know it will be powerful and beautiful. So grateful to our inspiring models!
This weekend I am attending the 65 Roses Gala. I'm really excited to get dressed up and see some familiar faces. I just hope I can make it though the night without getting too worn down. I'll be flanked by all of my ladies in waiting (aka my BEST FRIENDS!!!) Kassia is even flying in from Calgary tomorrow to join in. At my table is Ming, Quinn, Kassia, Phil, Justin, Jay, Gillian, Betsy, Ryan and myself. There is a silent auction, a delicious fancy dinner, a guest speaker (this year, not someone from my family!! Ali Brennan..I'm sure she'll do a wonderful job.)and then the fun really starts with a live auction and a great live band. I'm sure I can rely on my friends to push my wheelchair and take me on some spins on the dancefloor. For the first year, I am staying downtown in the hotel so that I can have somewhere close by to get ready and to able to rest during the night if I get worn out. I can't wait to see what the room looks like! I'll take lots of pictures...must charge battaries!
On a totally separate note, tonight I made a big step. I got back in touch with one of my old best friends that I lost after breaking up with Greg. It was too hard for us to remain friends during the break up but I missed him so much and now with all the re-evaluating of life and what matters...I got back in touch. He came to one of the screenings and I've never been so glad to see someones face.
We talked tonight for hours and I'm overwhelmingly glad that we're going to be part of each others lives again. He gets me, he was there for me throughout the whole transplant last time and we had been close for years. It's amazing how when things get tough the little things can be forgotten and friendships can be reforged. Shane asked all the right questions, wasn't afraid to face the tough stuff and is one of those guys who can laugh throughout it all. I'm so glad for my friends. And right now? There's no such thing as too many good people.
I do still miss some of the very best people who are far away. *lesigh*