Bend, Volcanic Theatre Pub...and Happy Birthday wishes

The C-bear's birthday is one week away and he will turn three. It has been a stellar year of living in Bend, Oregon, and enjoying this amazing community of inspiring and creative people. But C has had quite a lot of seizure breakthroughs and we've been upping his meds to catch up with his growth spurt. For that, it was also challenging and full of some fear and panic attacks. This pic is from a family sports day where we were competing against other families and bonded in the meantime. But it's also a happy picture and an important one on a lot of levels.

Another lesson I obtained this year was about enjoying the moment I'm in instead of waiting for the moment to be "right." I feel like I owe it to myself and to the family to make these connections so that we can learn to take what we can  - now. 

I've made some great friends in Bend who are interesting and inspiring, too, one of these peeps is the owner of the Volcanic Theatre Pub. Derek is an amazing actor and visionary so if you get a chance to see him in a play - go for it. But he's also been supportive of me starting up a NW Epilepsy support group for those families, like us, who are in Central Oregon dealing with children with seizures and therefore living with lots of unknowns and unanswered questions. We are hosting our monthly meetings at the Pub, because we can't do this alone. Kind of like Derek and one of his plays - he directs, and acts in his play - but he also needs people. People who are like-minded and passionate and who want to give of themselves and their time to create something amazing and real. And I need people, like my dear Indy friends and Portland buddies and Bend friends, too, to keep me afloat and to make this scene work.

So thanks for a great year, friends - old and new. And happy birthday to my wee almost three year old who, this week, has been seizure free!