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

It was on a Tuesday afternoon (8-30-16) when Senator Patricia Jehlen visited all of us, at the assisted living where I live. Our Senator grasped every question we, tenants of the assisted living asked, Senator Jehlen gave honest answers,to our eager and enthusiastic questions, Together,, Senator Jehlen and we, residents, of this assisted living, discussed issues in a senior living population as well as problems in our society.. I would like to thank Senator Pat Jehlen for taking the time to visit us, talk with the residents here , and extend her availability to all of us, at our assisted living. This was a visit by a politician, Senator Jehlen, who routinely visits us, here at the assisted living and where I, as a citizen  of the United States,felt heard.                             Evelyn Pinto                             August 30...

Another child drew a self portrait of me. If you look at these drawings, it is totally amazing how children can picture me. Not, like most adults who see the obvious, what's noticeable to the human eye. Many see the wheelchair, the nasal cannula which is bringing oxygen to me and all of the other paraphernalia I need to have. Children have this precious gift of looking beyond all of that. This young boy pictured me standing, wearing a striped dress and having green hair. AWE! Now I see me in this child's drawing! As I expressed to this young boy: "It looks exactly like me!" Can you see the resemblance ? Evelyn Pinto August 29, 2016 This child meant to write I hope you feel good, not fell good.

I would like to thank the Tufts University students for visiting the assisted living where I live today. These young people arrived at 9am, ready and willing to mingle with us and help our community as well as learn. 9am on a Sunday morning, very few of us wanted to teach or mingle with them. Perhaps  arriving with coffee and donuts might have brought more of us to the 3rd floor where I and a friend fraternized with these eager and young students. Yes, more and more of us talked to , learned from and were entertained by these fresh souls, who were ready and willing to learn but, much more, be of service to us. They departed from our place of residence, still eager with a fresh view of what people are like in a senior living community. I hope these young people realize how much good they accomplished here. on this hot and humid Sunday. I pray my new friends will know what a privilege it was for me, creating a connection with them.  I learned today about th...

Dear Mother, It’s your birthday soon and I’m undecided on what to get/do for you. I finally decided to write down my feelings about you. Mom, I remember my childhood and how I was utterly convinced that you knew “everything”! With the eyes in back of your head, you knew where I was at, even when I didn’t! Oh, Ma, those words you used, I remember to this day/ Your words also displayed for me the most colorful images. Mom, through the years of my childhood you emphatically used to say to me: “Evelyn, you know too much for your own good!” and “Evelyn, you’re alright, the world is all wrong!” In these moments, I totally believe this last one! Mother, Happy, Most Marvelous Birthday! I love you, Mother, always did and always will! Signed with sincerity, a never ending love, prayers, a zillion hugs, good health and wishes for joyful and peaceful times with family and friends. From a daughter who has the best mother in the world Your daughter,    ...

There was a Luau today! My friend, Joanne and I sat together, enjoying the luau, among a crowd of friends! Joey B-Bop performed! Joey sang the oldies, which brought me down "Nostalgia Road"! Joanne and I sang with Joey, very loud! Maybe I wasn't in tune with the music. I probably was even off key!  I almost definitely sure the music and I did not stay in sequence. It didn't stop me, or Joanne, from singing our hearts out to songs like: "Blue Suede Shoes",  Bobby Vinton's, "Roses Are Red, My Love:, "The Gambler" and "Are You Lonesome Tonight?"! I even danced, but, not as long as I would have liked! I was recently discharged from the hospital. Recovering at home from a nasty pneumonia, my endurance and stamina were much lower than I wanted it to be. This did not stop me from enjoying myself among friends, especially with my newish dear friend, Joanne! We zealously enjoyed a great time at the Luau today! Thank...

Every past step in the journey I've been traveling in my life has evolved me into the person I am today. I remember "The Best Breakfasts" anyone could ever, ever have. These breakfasts happened in another time of my yesteryears.. These breakfasts, that Juan made, were the best ever!: In the early morning, each day, between 2 am and 3 am, Rob would knock on my apartment door. Juan, Rob and myself lived in the same apartment building in East Boston, Mass. We both preceded to Juan's apartment where he was already frying scrambled eggs and already had a pot of hot coffee on the stove. Our wonderful friend, Juan, made the 3 of us scrambled eggs smothered in ketchup and hot coffee. To this day, these eggs were the best eggs I have ever, ever tasted! The coffee, hot and strong, you couldn’t get better tasting coffee in Brazil. I don't think anyone in the world has ever better gourmet breakfasts, then the ones that Juan made for himself, Rob and m...

Friends, I'm home from the hospital.  I'm medically stable to leave the hospital and be where I belong: "Home"! Outpatient services were resumed and I was released. I, my doctors, my nurses, my primary care assistants, my social worker, everyone on medical team at the hospital, we all worked together, so I could be medically safe and okay to be home. All the people who helped me through the acute stage of the pneumonia were superb and the care I received at the hospital was excellent! Though weak, exhausted and fatigued, I could not wait to see my friends when I returned home After having dinner with close friends, I 'm tired enough to call it a day. It's nearly 7pm and I am already in my nightgown and ready for bed! May God Bless All of You! Good Night!                   Evelyn Pinto                  August 24, 2016

Tonight, 2 of my most favorite people presented me with a gift. They gave me a gift subscription for a "Pedicure"! Getting a pedicure had been on my "Bucket List"! My 2 friends,saw that getting a pedicure was on " My Bucket List"! These precious souls totally surprised me tonight with this gift subscription for a pedicure.. These dear friends proclaimed that I can take "getting a pedicure" off "My Bucket List"! I'm Loving Life And, Everyone, I'm Getting A Pedicure!" Love, Evelyn August 23, 2016

It is my 5th day as a patient in the hospital. After a very, difficult, confusing and painful day yesterday, my tired body slept last night. Last night, I slipped into a much needed, deep sleep. It is now 6am and I've already washed up and ready for another day in the hospital. My nurses, doctors, primary care assistants and everyone here at the hospital, have been totally awesome and very kind to me! Though I need much more rest, as I fight this pneumonia, my prayers are being answered. Though I still feel so sick, my attitude has changed since yesterday. Though I long to be in my own home, among my friends and what has been the familiar, I accept what is.  I have to keep going, and if I can, keep going forward. I pray that I will be better and stable enough soon to return home. For now, I will still struggle to get better, listen to the advice of my medical team and be gracious and grateful. I Will Give Thanks To God, For He Is Good!         ...

On my 4th day as a patient in the hospital. It is around 6:30 in the morning and I have been awake since 3am. I am not a good sleeper, haven't been for most of my life. Being this acutely ill, I know my body needs a lot more quality sleep. Today is Monday, so, not like the weekend, there will be a mirage of normality in the hospital. The hospital is not normal for myself, or for any patient. Being sick is not really normal either. Being ill, my body is on overload and my emotions are scattered all over the place. Scary, frightful thoughts overcome my mind. I'm vulnerable, both physically and emotionally. I long to be with my friends. I really want to be and feel better. I long to have stability, normality, comfort and the familiar back in my life. I pray to be home, among familiar faces. I really need to be home, in my apartment, around my stuff and be with the people that make me feel safe. I need to feel safe, 1st, in the peace of Jesus!       ...

This is my 3rd day as a patient, in the hospital. I feel sick, tired, exhausted totally, congested, have generalized pain and am experiencing severe headaches. The staff at this hospital have been exceptional! My medical is presented with love, compassion, respect, with medical expertise and excellence. Pneumonia is a confusing illness. The questions arise at what type of infection, in the lung, it is. I'm not an expert with this, so, I'm trusting my doctors with this one. With the collections of data from my bloodwork, my x-rays and my account of what I feel (and have felt), I'm trusting the doctors, with my input, especially with decision making, I'm trusting my medical team to figure out the right treatment(s) to cure this pneumonia. I'm first surrendering all  to God, trusting Him to guide my doctors.  I trust God's hands, Mind and Heart will work through these hard working medical professionals. "If God is for me, whom (or what) can b...