Last year this time, I hurt my back. Lets just say, I was trying to be an over achiever at the gym. My doctor said I’d sprain my lumbar disc and that It would take a few weeks to recover. This was very discouraging, because I’d had a trip planned the following month. I was worried I’d might not make it. A friend of mine stopped by to check on me, we had been friends for the last three years, since I started working at the law firm.

I was in severe pain, so she told me to turn and lay on my stomach. She begin to rub her hands together, and breath. I thought this is very strange, but that was no surprised. She was always very New age spiritual. She began to gently rub my spine, and hovered her hands over my lower back area. I finally was freaked enough, to ask what she was doing. I thought she was performing some type of spell, or prayer.

She told me it was the ancient practice of channeling energy to heal. She called this reiki Auckland. I went along with it, and for the next 15 minutes she continued. I told her it probably wouldn’t work for me, as I grabbed my cup and walked into the kitchen. I got some wine from the bottom cabinet. She said really? Where you able to walk earlier? I stood in shock, because I could barely even sit up this morning, and I was pain free.

When the waters rose around our house, we weren’t concerned. When a Coastguard helicopter hovered over us, we waved them away. When water reached the barn, we weren’t worried. “We’re fine,” we said. The wind was strong enough to roll the neighbors barn like a tumble weed before it broke up. “It was an old barn,” we whispered. But, when the water began to approach the front steps of the house, we lost our confidence. We hadn’t thought to move the furniture or clothing or valuables. With hands full of ‘things’ and food, we sought refuge on the second floor.

We huddled together, shivering and silent. A few days later, we came down the stairs to find the living room in ruins and the carpet black with muddy debris. Still, we were alive and grateful. The following year we made sandbags.

Wendy walked down the aisle as fast as she realistically could. She was sure that almost everyone else here was, like herself, a tourist.

She hoped there would at least be some little oscillating heaters left. It would not have to be too powerful, just something to supplement the wall units. The weather was freakishly cold for April. Unfortunately, most of the cabins didn’t have particularly powerful heaters, as hardly anyone vacationed here in the winter. Hiking, canoeing and fishing in the springtime were the things this wonderfully rustic little place was famous for.

When she got near the end of the aisle she saw with dismay that there was only one small heater left. It cost more than she wanted to spend, but she grabbed it anyway. It would be money well spent.

Ok so when it comes to electronics, it’s not always the best idea to do-it-yourself. My daughter came to me with a seemingly simple dilemma. “Daddy, my laptop isn’t charging.” If the laptop wasn’t held very still, the charger disconnected. Having done IT support London in another life, I thought “no problem. I’ll open it and see what’s up.” After removing the battery, about 20 tiny screws, the keyboard and numerous connectors, I’d found myself facing the motherboard. I saw the issue, a little crack in the motherboard next to the ac adapter. This was a job for crazy glue. A small dab of glue and the crack was sealed. I then set to putting everything back together. Simple enough until I finished and realized that I still about 10 screws left. Now, the laptop is completely dead. What have we learned? Forget the super dad act and call the experts.

I have a dream. I dream of living in a house filled with designer beds, designer sofas, designer linens, and designer appliances. Can you tell that I love designer stuff? I wish I could find a husband who could provide those things for me. I really do not want to work for those things. I am a diva and I think I deserve the finer things in life. I was not raised with a silver spoon in my mouth, but I believe that I should have had one. I deserve to have all my heart desires because I am me. I am special, and I should be able to lay my head down on a fluffy pillow on a beautiful bed, and I should be able to cover myself with the finest down comforter in town. That isn’t too much to ask, right?

Are you, or someone you know, dealing with old age repercusions? Old age is something that many americans try to avoid. And with many new inventions shaping our world, it does seem possible. Maybe you can not avoid it forever, but in many situations, you can prolong the negative effect of old age. At a certain age, many people will notice a difference in their body. Including changes in their hearing, seeing, bodily movement or maybe neurological changes. We all have experiences of some kind, with a relative that shouts, because of hearing loss. Hearing aids, have become more common among older citizens. They are a way to hold on to what you once had, the ability to hear near and far. Seek advice, and gain knowledge of options. Turn a negative situation into a positive one. Age brings wisdom, but sometimes the old, need help from the young.