ME-as I go through this zany, marvelous, difficult experience called: "LIFE"!

ME-As I go through this zany, marvelous, difficult experience called "Life"!: NEGATIVE TREATMENT BY THE DEPT OF MENTAL HEALTH 1... : This is a letter to let people know how the Dept of Mental Health has failed dramatically in  services for myself and others who have ph...

Thanksgiving, this year, was at the home of my younger sister, Terry and her husband, Pat. It was fun, family time! Before our Thanksgiving feast, we all held hands and prayed words of gratitude, praise and genuine love, love for God and for each other. My family pulled together to make this day a memorable, family time! My mother, my sister, Roseanna, my sister, Terry and my brother-in-law put together a festive Thanksgiving meal that was totally spontaneous and delicious. Everyone had their full, with leftovers! This Thanksgiving was special because it was wrapped in love! I so missed my family that could not be there. May God Bless Every One Of My Family, Always! Love and prayers,                   Evelyn Pinto                   November 27, 2015

It’s Thanksgiving and I'm grateful for so much! I'm grateful for My Creator, who saved, redeems, forgives and protects me. I'm grateful for my family and friends. I'm grateful for my home, my friends here and the staff in the assisted living, who help me. I'm grateful for the hospital I go to for my medical care and the chaplains, doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, PCA's and everyone else who help me at the hospital. I'm grateful for sunrises and sunsets. I'm grateful for the smell, feel, sound and taste of the rain! I'm grateful for Life and...... Love and prayers,                   Evelyn Pinto                  November 26, 2015

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! Even through sickness, financial in security, emotional instability and life's  unpredictability, I have so much to be grateful for! I am grateful to God for so much! It has been a very difficult year for me and for those close to me. I live with being sick a lot, mostly due to my diagnosis of COPD, asthma and CHF. I’ve needed the acute care of inpatient hospitalization more than I, or anyone, would ever want. I’ve danced with dance and persevered. Cancer knocked at the door of loved ones and was let in. Still, I persevere! I persevere because my love of God, Life and people (well, people most of the time). My faith keeps me glued together when I feel my world falling apart. I have many friends.  Some are closer than others. I have a few very close friends. These friends, we being so close, I cannot imagine what I did before them and how I could ever live without them. This year, I learned more about life, abou...

It has been a difficult year! It has been a year plagued with sickness,  sickness in me and in those I love. I, and others I love, have danced with  death and are still here. Cancer has knocked at the door of my  loved ones, and was let in. My family and I have been without. My Lord, though, has provided for our needs I am content! I am loved! Through it all, I am blessed!                        Evelyn Pinto                        November 24, 2015

When do the side effects of prescribed medications and treatments for medical and psychiatric problems outweigh the benefits?   This issue with medications happens a lot,  In  my case and with many other people. At times .the side effects greatly outweigh the benefits of the treatment. The side effects the treatment can be a lot worse than the problem! Be informed! Discuss with your medical team the problems and side effects of the treatment. If you have any troublesome side effects, discuss them with your medical team. Be your own advocate! Depending on the seriousness of the side effects, perhaps another medication, or no medication at all, could be better than the side effects. I'm going to prepare to have a long discussions with my doctors!                 Evelyn Pinto                 November 19,  2015

I'm blessed to have some amazing people in my life! I'm also grateful for the love my life is wrapped in! Today, I was blessed to be with some amazing people, at the hospital I go for care and the place where I live. This evening, some of my friends, who also live in the building where I live, dropped  into my apt for company and cake. Today, God has blessed me abundantly! Love and prayers,               Evelyn Pinto              November 17, 2015

I am so, so, very grateful! Beth, Mary and Nancy, chaplains at  the hospital I go for my medical care,  gave me a birthday party! These wonderful people, who work supporting people in crisis, have been there for me numerous times. I love Beth, Mary and Nancy dearly! There were cake, presents and Denise, who joined us! It Was A Super, Great Time, With Some Amazing People! Love,          Evelyn Pinto        November 17, 2015

Tumble Inn Diner in Saugus Mass celebrated its' 2nd Year Anniversary on Saturday, November 14, 2015! It was an awesome time! I enjoyed being with family, whom I have not seen for awhile. I also totally loved spending these precious moments with, not old friends, as well as with my family. The home made food and pastries were out of this word! Thank you to my niece,Laurie and Her friend, Rick (Tumble Inn Diner's owners), my family, old friends, and to all the others who made this event, a wonderful night! It was "The Best Time Ever!"                Evelyn Pinto                November 15, 2015

I'm figuring this whole life thing out:.  # I slept through life #2 crawled through life   #3 walked through life   #4 I ran through life!! #5 Now I'm wheeling through life! Wouldn't it be great if I could walk steady? It would be totally awesome, if I could dance  through life! What if I could fly? Now, that would be amazing!!!!                      Evelyn Pinto                      November 12, 2015

The United States Of America flag,       on the building where I live.   (Photograph taken by Evelyn Pinto) To all those who serve, have served and will be serving in the military:  Thank You!!!! You are all brave, courageous, and self-sacrificing. Thank you! You rose to duty and gave so much that I and my family, friends and all of us can be safe and live in freedom. Thank you! I live unafraid in my home, in freedom, because of the high price you gave for my freedom. Thank you! May God Bless All Of Our Veterans, Today and Always! May God Bless America! Love and prayers,                          Evelyn Pinto                         Veterans Day                         November 11, 2015

My young friends, Gina and Maria, came to visit. I was amazed that, that in such a short time, these girls blossomed into beautiful women!  I remember Gina and Maria, as young children, climbing the rocks of the pond, in the courtyard where I live. I saw these 2 young ladies grow up! Time changes the body but, not the human heart. I have loved Gina and Maria, since they were young children! I live where their Noni (grandmother) lives, whom I also love dearly! They, both, are impressive young teenagers, who will reach the stars one day! Love and prayers,            Evelyn Pinto            November , 2015

                    How I, Evelyn, View             The Serenity Prayer: The Serenity Prayer, a very special prayer to me: God grant me the serenity,  "Lord, keep me quiet, calm and still when I need to be, not only physically but in my head as well." To accept the things I cannot change,  "Lord help me to accept not only my physical limitations but, my emotional boundaries as well."  The courage to change the things I can, "Lord, allow me never to live in places like risk or fear."  And the wisdom to know the difference.  "Lord, let the choices that I make and the life I live glorify You." I so, love this prayer!                                                                     ...

Though tech devices make life easier, they cannot, or will never, take the place of human connections. Talk to people. Don't stay connected to your devices too long. Go outside. Watch the sunrise and sunset. Talk to people and making eye contact with them. Be physically there for others. Give hugs! Say "please", "thank you" and "I'm sorry"  to others. We all need human connections. We all need each other!!! Though tech devices make life easier, they cannot, or will never, take the place of human connections. Talk to people. Don't stay connected to your devices. Go outside. Watch the sunrise and sunset . Talk to people while making eye contact. Be physically there for others. Give hugs! Say "please", "thank you" and "I'm sorry"  to others. We all need human connections. We all need each other!!! Be with someone today, tomorrow and every day! Love and prayers,                        ...

This is a letter to let people know how the Dept of Mental Health has failed dramatically in  services for myself and others who have physical disabilities, in addition to our emotional issues.  The Dept of Mental Health  emphasizes treating people with emotional disabilities the same as anyone else. I feel that The Dept of Mental health has not given me, a person with medical illnesses and physical disabilities, proper and appropriate care inpatient psychiatric care.  ( I use a wheelchair, require supplemental oxygen and live with other medical disabilities).  Though not a geriatric patient, as well as not having the same problems as seniors in geriatric psychiatric units, I was hospitalized in the geriatric psychiatric unit, instead of the appropriate unit for my emotional problems.  This has been because the age and problem oriented units for me were not equipped to handle my medical care.. The staff in these geriatric psychiatric units were ma...

I've been 60 years old for about a week. No, I didn't go downhill from here! No, I didn't fall apart! No, I didn't become old! To tell you the truth, I haven't changed much since I was younger, like 59 years old. No, I haven't changed at all! I'm still that idealistic person who speaks out when I see wrong. I still want to change the world, make the world a better place for others and myself. See, I haven't changed! I must warn the world; I'm not going to grow old very gracefully! On being 60 years old, as it is said, it's just a number. 60 years old is also the beginning of a brand new journey in my life. On getting older: I don't like the idea of it! Me, being graceful in aging?  You've got to be kidding!!!  Love,                 A 60 Year Old                Evelyn Pinto                November 1, 2015