The other day, I read an article in The Wall Street Journal about Marc Vonnegut, the son of Kurt Vonnegut. There were a couple of things interesting about this piece. First, the article appeared in the Journal's real estate section and focuses, not surprisingly, on Vonnegut's Milton, MA home. Far more interesting (to me, at least) than the article's description of how Vonnegut converted his 1740 carriage house into a livable home, is how it portrays it's obviously fascinating owner. Despite the fact that Marc Vonnegut has had a successful career as a Harvard-trained pediatrician (he was chosen one year by Boston Magazine as the #1 pediatrician in Boston) and an accomplished author in his own rite, Vonnegut will forever live in the shadow of his famous father (author of Slaughter House Five, Cat's Cradle and Breakfast of Champions). In addition to (and perhaps enhanced by) the burdens placed on him by his career and his pedigree, Vonnegut also suffers from bi-polar disorder. Mark Vonnegut has written a new memoir entitled Just Like Someone With Mental Illness Only More So. In it, he recounts his often rocky relationship with his father, but notes that his father left him a great legacy:

My father gave me the gifts of being able to pay attention to my inner narration no matter how tedious the damn thing could be at times and the knowledge that creating something, be it music or a painting or a poem or a short story, was a way out of wherever you were and a way to find out what the hell happens next and not just have it be the same old thing

A "way out of wherever you are" sounds like a path I want to take. It is my hope that the creative process of producing this blog will help me move in that direction.

Back in the Saddle Again . . . Finally!

I know, I know - what good is having a blog if you never update it? I made a resolution today (actually I make it about 3 times per week) that I would start doing this again in earnest. Now to the excuses - I boxed my self in by writing my first few blogs about the Church. My intent was never to write exclusively about the Church or, for that matter, on any single topic. I just wanted to relate my feelings, reactions and observations on whatever subjects interested me on a given day. I came to realize, however, that my take on the news of the day was not very interesting to read . . . even for me, let alone for anyone else! (Don't you just hate the bore you find at just about any gathering who thinks his opinions are so brilliant that everyone should stand enthralled by every word he says? I didn't want to become that bore.) I have, therefore, decided to apply some focus to this blog and write on a topic about which I should really know something.

I have always been accused for being a "jack of all trades and a master of none". For most of my life I would plead guilty as charged. In the last few years, however, I have been developing first hand knowledge and an expertise in a subject for which, during most of my life, I had very little interest. My new found (and reluctantly acquired) expertise is in how to try to deal with adversity in ones life.

I say "try" because I have yet to succeed at actually dealing with adversity. My attempts, shall we say, constitute a work in progress. My hope is that in writing about my "journey", some of what I am experiencing my resonate with you and help you deal with whatever challenges life, in its vicissitude, throws your way. Even if no one reads this, however, writing this blog should have one salutatory effect. I know it will be a personally cathartic exercise as I move down a somewhat frightening road.

For those of you who do not know me well, the previous three paragraphs must seem very mysterious. My story, alas, is not very unique nor captivating. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), an incurable, autoimmune disease about 11 years ago. Officially, it is estimated that 400,000 people in the US and 2.1 million worldwide have been afflicted with this disease, although I have my doubts about these numbers (more on that in a future posting.)

What is MS? The official definition from the National MS Society is as follows:

Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves.

Unofficially, it's a demon that sneaks up from behind and grabs you. This demon tightens it's grip every day and vows to never let you go. The purpose of this blog is to chronicle how I and those around me deal (and don't deal) with this demon who has now taken over our lives. It is my hope that, as this "process" unfolds, my thoughts will help others dealing with their own demons to realize that they are not alone. I also hope that writing this blog will help fortify me as I unwillingly take this trip.