For the new year

[Guest guest]

We all suffer, we all have our pain. Our families, our friends, our

lives go on. Do the best you can with what you have. I truly believe

that attitude is 50% of the battle. The " poor me, poor me " attitude

gets you nowhere. I have been battling this disease for 30 years and

when I'm feeling sorry for myself, everyone suffers, no one more than

I.

Take what you have, make the best of it and move forward. Sometimes

reading the posts just depresses me and I have almost quit this group

many times. Even though I am a lurker and have posted about 3 times! I

have had babies, raised kids, work full time and live... it is

possible. You really just have to move foward.

I doubt this will be posted but well... it was time it was said.

Happy 2007 everyone. I will be on the roof of our City Hall, doing a

fireworks show this New Year's Eve... what will you be doing?

[Editor's Note: Patti, I think you said it well. We did not choose to have PA

but we CAN choose to concentrate on the positive aspects of our lives; to

celebrate what we can do more than mourn over what we can't; to find joy in

small things like sunsets, babies, poetry, humor. You and I have both have had

this disease for decades and have accepted many things about it. Many of the

people on this list are new to the disease and, unfortunately, have to go

through a process before they get to the stage of acceptance and gratitude.

That's why we have to be here to help them. There are a few people here who

like to revel, and I do mean revel in having people feel sorry for them but

those people are few and far between. Most folks are just suffering and looking

for someone to throw them a lifeline. That is what you can do for them. Help

them learn to accept their new normal and help them understand that they have

choices to make - and they CAN choose to live happy lives notwithstanding some

of the challenges this disease brings.

We were invited to a party in NYC for New Year's Eve but we will be there next

weekend for a wedding and our dog died on Christmas morning so we have decided

to have a low key evening tomorrow by having dinner with two friends in

Woodstock, NY. I hope your fireworks are a blast, literally and figuratively.

Kathy F.

[Guest guest]

Hi. I am a lurker who is also fairly new to this group. Why did I join?

Because I didn't understand what was happening to me, there seem to be few

people who have PsA and P, because I needed a place to go where there was

understanding, knowledge, people willing to talk about this issue. That is

what I

found. I also learned that there are others with conditions worse than mine.

I am fairly new to PsA even though I am 60 years old, my husband is 72. He

has health issues and somehow I needed to find strength to carry on and be

strong, for both of us. And it a credit to you Patti that you have

accomplished all the things in your life that you have and I sincerely commend

you for

a job well done, and for being a good role model for those of us who are

still learning.

To Kathy F. I also think your response to Patti's post was excellent. We

need a spokesperson who has the ability to see " both sides of the coin " and

put it so eloquently into words. Thank you for your response, I am grateful

that you have this insight. Kathy, you have my sincere sympathy on the loss of

you pet. Our pets have a way of becoming part of the family and I know this

has been most difficult for you and your family.

To all of the _ _

(mailto: ) I wish you a new year that is full

of promise and hope.

Blessing to each of you.

_carmygragg@..._ (mailto:carmygragg@...)

[Editor's Note: Carmygragg, thanks so much for your kind words on the death of

our dog. When I was a little girl, my mother used to tell people that she had

three kids - a boy, a girl and a dog - so I grew up knowing that dogs are

members of the family. We miss our wonderful old Tallulah very much and this

has been a most difficult week for us. She was originally my mother's dog and

upon mom's death, we took her in so in a way this is also the loss of the last

little piece of mom if that makes any sense. On a happier note, we're all glad

you've come out of lurkdom and happier, still, that this site is helpful to you.

Best wishes for the New Year. Kathy F.]