Totally Random Thursday: Things Don't Work, Unless They Hurt

I can't speak for other generations, but I know that in my generation things generally don't work unless they hurt.  I wonder if this generation of kids out there will be the same way, I doubt it though, with all the pain free alternatives out there these days.  What I'm talking about is how things like Listerine (Original), iodine, peroxide, isopropyl alcohol, etc sting or burn a bit when we use them.  

Awhile back I bought a bottle of "Listerine Total Care Zero".  The first time I used it I noticed it didn't burn a little like the "Listerine Original" does.  Of course, it also doesn't contain alcohol like the original formula does.  The lack of pain was a bit disappointing to me.  I realize that may sound a bit odd, but the pain somehow reassures me that it's working.  I think next time I'm going to buy the mouthwash with alcohol in it instead.  

Moving on to first aid.  I don't know about you, but when I was a kid and I got a cut my mom would always wash the area first, then use peroxide to clean it.  She'd gently blow at the cut afterwards to help ease the pain caused by the peroxide.  I'm willing to bet that this practice was a big instrument in programming my brain that unless it hurts it's not working.  These days I'm more of a fan of using iodine on my shallow cuts and using something like isopropyl alcohol or peroxide for the deeper ones.  

Dedication

I'd like to dedicate this blog to the loved ones I've lost, but most of all to the ones I've lost both last year and this year. On April 7, 2013 my ex boyfriend and longtime friend passed away.  On May 29, 2013 my father passed away. Then on April 10, 2014 a very sweet lady with a beautiful soul, who was like another mother to me, named Patti passed away. It has been a very emotional year to say the least. There is so much I would've liked to have said to them, but I've said it with my heart and I know they can feel it wherever they are. If there is a heaven I'm sure they are there. I say "if there is a heaven" cause honestly, the only people who know for sure what is out there after death is the ones that have already crossed over. I could write so much more, but it hurts too much still. So, I dedicate all of my writing and inspiration to do something with the ideas and dreams I have to the loved ones I've lost to death.  They will always be in my heart.   

Adam was on the phone with me when this picture was taken on June 25, 2010.

Adam and I being silly on July 19, 2010.

 Adam and I had been good friends since I was 16 and he was 22 years old.  On my 18th birthday he called me up and asked me out on our first date.  Over the years we went out many times.  Listening to him play his guitar was like heaven to my ears.  Throughout the years we had a lot of "unfinished business" with each other and even more so when he passed away.

This family photo was taken sometime in the 1980's.  My mom, my brother, my dad, and I.

The last photo taken of my dad and I in January 1999.

How does one deal with the loss of a parent?  I don't know.  Honestly, I'm still processing it myself...almost a year later.  The concept that you'll never hear him sing along to his favorite songs on the radio anymore, or how you'll never see the way he looked out of his eyes anymore, or how I'll never hear him call me "Sissy" ever again...it's devastating really.  It's something that you're forced, by life, to accept.

I hold my lost loved ones deep in my heart.  Their memories will forever live on.

                                                                  Adam (June 8, 1976- April 7, 2013)
                                                       My father Danny (July 11, 1954- May 29, 2014)
                                                                 Patti (April 12, 1956- April 10, 2014)