What do AA batteries, binder clips, bread ties, lip balm, pens and pencils, pliers, a glue gun, and a measuring tape have in common? They’re all items in my kitchen junk drawer. It’s a chaotic place that holds them till they’re needed at a moment’s notice. I’m grateful that it’s…
Hemophilia 24/7 - a Column by Cazandra Campos-MacDonald
I vividly remember the playground at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School in Galena Park, Texas. The monkey bar dome was the place for the risk-takers, who climbed to the top and faced the ground. I preferred the swings, which catapulted the brave ones as they flew off in a…
There’s a pilgrimage site less than 10 minutes from my home in central New Mexico. That site, El Cerro de Tomé (Tomé Hill), is a natural landmark that’s served El Camino Real travelers for centuries. People journey to the top of the hill, 400 feet above the Rio Grande…
There’s a stigma surrounding those who use wheelchairs. To most, they evoke pity: “Oh, how awful to be confined to a wheelchair.” Perhaps it’d be awful for the person making the statement, but is it awful for the person using the chair? When an older adult is in a wheelchair,…
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is part of today’s culture. Its movies take theatergoers to places never imagined. Iron Man, Thor, and Doctor Strange are a few of the characters that it brings to life, and each seems incredibly realistic. When I watch these movies, I can’t help but…
I arrived late for the concert. An usher whisked me to my seat, as my husband and our son Caeleb had already arrived. As I walked down the aisle, feeling very conspicuous in my clerical collar (I didn’t have time to change), I noticed the backs of hundreds…
When I was a young woman, I was very negative. I would look ahead to a situation and immediately imagine the possible pitfalls. I never considered everything would work according to plan. When plans went better than expected, it was a bonus. As a former glass-half-empty kind of person,…
I have a variety of satellite radio stations saved as favorites in my car, with Broadway, The Blend, Classic Rock, The Groove, Symphony Hall, and ’80s as the ones I enjoy the most. The ’80s music transports me to my high school days, which were filled with beautiful memories.
When my youngest son, Caeleb, was 8 years old, our family went on a trip that required him to use a wheelchair at the airport. His severe hemophilia A with an inhibitor had caused persistent joint bleeds, which resulted in significant pain and limited mobility, as well as…
I have battled weight and self-image issues since I was a teenager. Being present with my hospice patients day in and day out becomes draining. I take on any pain and disappointment my husband and sons experience. And when I witness my boys struggle because of hemophilia, the…
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