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A New Year, A New Me?

So with it now being 2021, My hope is that things will start to get better, ( like most everyone else). I have continued to struggle with some of the same issues, that I had in previous years, mostly my health (physical, mental/emotional being the main two.

 A lot of the health issues are due to my diabetes, which this September will be 21 years that I was diagnosed.  It has been a roller coaster over these past two decades, but I am always doing my best to maintain as good “control” as I can. However, it continues to be a frustrating situation, especially when there is so much disconnect between doctor’s offices, pharmacies, and of course the biggest brick wall ever, the Insurance Company.

  While I was living back in Vermont, I was truly lucky to have some of the best health care that was available to me at the time.  However, since moving to Florida, eight years ago this July, I have found that its a constant battle to be able to not only get my insulin covered, but that more than once, I’ve had to fight to get even that covered.  It’s a never-ending battle and I am not even going to try and begin with how government and politics make it even more frustrating.  Just take my word for it.

So not only have I been dealing with my diabetes, but I’ve also had to deal with my anxiety and depression which combined has caused many a sleepless night ( as you can see by the time of this post) I try and keep a calm and level headed demeanor, yet its hard because I’m a natural worrier, and though I again do my best to control those worries, with all that is going on in with Covid, Politics, as well as personal matters, its hard to keep my attention and focus at times.  To go along with the diabetes, and anxiety/depression, my physical conditioning has also taken a hit.  

 Now, I’ve always had issues with my feet, knees, back, but as I’ve gotten older, yes some may consider 37 still young, but my body doesn’t agree.  I’ve had over 10 surgeries throughout my lifetime to help correct the birth defects that I was born with mainly my  bi-lateral club feet.  Most everything including my knees which include a partial tear of my patella tendon in my left knee back in 2013, and a torn and repaired medial meniscus in my right knee back in 2015, can be retraced back to that.  I do my best to take care of myself.  I watch what I eat, try to get enough sleep, and keep my mind, and my body as “in shape” as possible.  And with the turn of the calendar, I’ve already begun  my 21st season of being a baseball umpire..

   I actually worked a recent tournament a couple of weeks ago. It was soo beneficial to once again get back on a field.  I can’t tell you how therapeutic it is to be able to walk on a field, and be able to not have to deal with all the stresses and concerns, but just be able to focus on calling a baseball game.

 While, most people might think that umpiring can be a stressful and thankless profession/career, which I’ll admit it can most certain be.  I truly believe that I was meant to be a Baseball Umpire.  I’ve been through multiple jobs, none lasting more than a couple of months at a time. Yet, I’ve always been able to truly enjoy and find myself through my love of umpiring.

  As many of my friends, and family have mentioned, “its amazing I’ve been doing this for so long” They are right, It is amazing, but I truly believe that as a wall hanging that my dad had made for me years ago says,  “Sasha, Born to Umpire”

I want to end this post by saying that I truly hope all my friends and family, are happy, healthy, and even with all the darkness surrounding us, that we continue to search for that brightlight

 

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