Dear Sis, On my first day at the Orphanage, I met a couple, Richard and Claire. When they arrived at 2:30ish, the kids gathered around them, full of hugs and familiarity. I simply introduced myself, knowing they were the couple who came regularly in the afternoons, to take the children to outdoor activities. During my conversation with Claire, she mentioned that 1.5 years ago, they moved from the UK to Bali. I commented and said, “How wonderful that you…
Dear Sis, When I flew into Bali last Sunday, the hotel arranged a driver to pick me up and bring me to the hotel. That driver was a young gentleman, named Santana. On route to the hotel he and I chatted about his young boys, wife and family. Prior to me getting out of the car, he offered me his card and said to me that if I wanted to do a tour of Bali to contact him….
Dear sis, If there is one thing I absolutely love about being in Asia, is that there is always something new and different each day. With the energy and your surroundings, it is very easy to feel alive in this country. For the last 4 days as I drive to and from the Orphanage on the back of a scooter, I have gotten to know my route. There is always this one corner that is ridiculously congested, and I…
Dear Sis, I can’t believe I have only been in Bali for 48 hours. I was due to arrive Saturday evening however I missed my connecting flight by 30 minutes. Delta Airlines accommodated a group of us at the Hyatt Hotel in Seoul, Korea. The flight was rescheduled for noon on Sunday, arriving in Bali at 6:30pm. My initial plan has always been to stay at the Orphanage. However three weeks pre my departure, I was informed that due…
Dear Sis, Well considering the tag line attached to my domaine name is,”Keep it real,” I will make a promise to all that I will be truthful and honest in all my stories. When I say this, I am referring to me not “sugar coating” certain experiences. I always say, “One needs to be able to laugh at themselves. We are all humans, trying to do our own personal best in this world. No one is perfect. So let’s all…
Dear Sis, I just left Vancouver Island and I am en route to Vancouver, via BC Ferries. I will be flying to Bali in the morning. Two weeks ago I contacted Philip Fortier, the Director of MSA Defeat, who resides in Michigan. In 2013, at the age of 56, after a short 3 year battle, his brother Joe passed away of Multiple System Atrophy. During these years, it became evident to Phil that little research was being done…
Dear Sis, Once again I find myself reading something that my daughter Jenna wrote, and I am thinking, “I want to share as much as I possibly can with you, regarding Jenna. And your kids”. This is going to be such a fun journey Karen. There is simply soooo much to talk about !!!! How fortunate, that we have been given the gift of time. (JP:) ) For school, Jenna had to write her thoughts on the Martin Luther…
Dear Sis, There are going to be days when I just have a quick note to share. This is one of them. I need to make sure you hear these messages. I woke up this morning and once again I started feeling a little anxious regarding this whole blogging thing – I just don’t have the fucking (I like to swear) time right now lol BUT somehow I am getting through this. And I will xo The other…
Dear Sis, If there is one thing I know for sure, is that over the years, you and I have certainly laughed a lot together. We have always had the same sense of humour. I absolutely love that I can close my eyes and actually feel us laughing together. I will do this forever. So that leads me into this introduction about JP. You had been living in St Vincents Hospital for approximately 3 years. I will…
Dear Sis, I just had a weekend in Whistler with some girlfriends and for many reasons, I never take these weekends for granted. I know you truly understand how important these weekends are. You too have so many wonderful friends in your life. So many of them are on this journey with us. The connection that woman share is pretty incredible. Last night I was in the Irish Pub, and I had a conversation with this…