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I think ALS is what one gets when one prays for patience. I don't actually recall praying for patience, but I thought about praying for patience. That must have counted.

I number among that neurotic bunch of people who believe we have a daily reprieve on our alcoholism, based upon our spiritual condition. Indeed, I've logged over twenty years sober and clean. I like to say that I learned how to pray in my 12-step program, but that is not completely accurate. I learned how to pray as a child in that rout manner: 
God is great. God is good. Let us thank Him for our food. Amen.
I also learned to say nighttime prayers:
God bless mommy and daddy, and Grandma and Grandpa...
My foray into Born Again Christianity, in my teens, left me feeling like a fraud upon my return home to a more hedonistic household.  Therefore, I credit my 12-step program with teaching me the nuts and bolts of praying right. Thanking God for all the blessings in my life. Not giving Him my laundry list of wants and desires. And, right or wrong, I learned never, EVER, pray for patience.

Having ALS is a consistent downward spiral. My losses are innumerable. To refresh, I need help with every aspect of daily living. Essentially, I'm a quadriplegic living in a skilled nursing facility, receiving hospice care. Some might say, Takin' up space, waitin' ta die. For the record, that is not how I feel.

Patience is a requirement if I want to have a good day. Sometimes an entire day is too much to hope for; sometimes I need to focus on exercising patience for an adult diaper change.

Whenever I'm approached with, You're such an inspiration! I think about the poor caregivers that have been on the receiving end of my very last recognizable curse word. How about asking them if I'm an inspiration? Some days I figure I rate pretty darn high on the going-to-hell-o-meter.

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Location: 2720 E Madison St, Seattle, WA 98112, USA

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