MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2025 - I DID A THING

 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2025, I DID A THING

I write about getting out of our comfort zone. 

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I have seen the ads and finally I responded.  

I am going to be in the initial stages of an Alzheimer’s research project.  (Sponsored by Eli Lilly, pharmaceutical company).  The study might last up to five years (or only eight weeks).

Last Friday, I signed up and the nurse took four vials of my blood.  They will be studied to see if I meet their specific criteria for the study.  If I am accepted, for up to five years, I will receive injections of the proposed drug that may help or delay the onset of Alzheimer's/dementia.  (Or I will receive a placebo - I won’t know).

I have done original research for my dissertation before, so the concept is not new: first, select possible candidates, then putting them into experimental or control groups, and studying how the experiment goes over time.

My father had dementia (I’m not sure if all dementias are now called “Alzheimer's”).  

So, I stepped out of my comfort zone and signed up for a research project. Let’s see how it goes.

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Topic 2 - Work?

On Christmas Eve, my friend TL died.  For the past 3.33 years, I have been with her.  From independent Living to the Memory Care Unit, to the Nursing home.  Since September 2023, it has mostly been volunteering.  (The family gave me some love gifts occasionally). We played checkers for about a year-and-one-half and did crafts, but eventually, she couldn’t handle that.  We walked around inside the facility and sat outside in the gazebo.  And all that time and until the end, I helped feed her.  

That started my new year with a hole.  That was an activity to get me out of my apartment.  I’ve been spending too many hours by myself.  That’s too many hours of Words with Friends, Duolingo, Sudoku, and other iPhone apps.  I’ve even cut back on my writing.

I want to get out and help people.  Let’s see what might be available.

*****

Topic 3 - Helping a stranger.  

I went to my local and favorite convenience store this afternoon.  (Okay - short story - eight months ago, they started a new coffee program.  All the coffee you want for $9.99 a month.  Yes, I’m frugal - but I jumped on that.  If I get one coffee a day, that is about $0.33 per cup.  If I get three cups, that is about $0.11 per cup.  There is one exclusion - only one cup per hour (so I can’t get two cups at 10:00 - when I’d probably give the second cup to a friend).  

Anyway, I got my cup of coffee this afternoon and was sipping away at it (as I was finishing a four-mile walk).  A disheveled lady (more of a girl - maybe late teens or in her twenties) approached me and asked if I would take her to Round Rock.  I didn’t have my car - I had loaned it to a friend whose car was in the shop.  Could I call Uber for her?  Could she stay overnight with me?

My friends, I try to live “Love Wins”.  Yes, I could have allowed her to stay with me.  She looked innocent enough - but maybe she was on drugs or was mentally deranged.  After I fell asleep, she could have grabbed a knife from the kitchen, killed me and taken my car keys (my friend would have returned my car by then), and whatever credit cards and money she could find - and run.  I don’t think that would have happened.  But I’m a “Pollyanna” and don’t see the potential for evil intents.

The convenience store manager came over and asked her to leave and she went outside.  I gave her some money as I walked back to my apartment. 

The Good Samaritan story convicted me. The man took the injured man to an inn and paid for his lodging and healing. Who am I to turn a needy young lady out without money or a ride to Round Rock? Was I placating myself by giving her money? After our cold spell last month, I learned that we do have a shelter - and maybe (if I had my car), I could take her there.

Giving money might mean she would buy more drugs or alcohol II don’t know if she was on anything).  It was “expedient” - instead of really trying to help her.

*****

Lord - help me to understand what LOVE WINS means in today’s world.  

LOVE DOES WIN

LOVE DOES TRANSFORM

Karen Anne White, February 10, 2025