Catch up time…

Quite some time has passed since I wrote. And so much has changed in my world. And in the world outside as well..

In my world since 1916 my world was really a series of downs and ups. 2016, I was pretty lost. With the loss of my mother the only normal part of my life was my work and I pretty much buried myself in work, 2017 things sure got better when I was led to work with Dr Keitha Story-Stephenson at her Wellness Center. We were surely kindred spirits. We were both in the wellness business. We had both recently lost mothers that had lived with us long term. I think we made a pretty awesome team. In 2018 I developed health issues. I seemed to have strange things happening. On another subject, Christmas Eve 2018 I was at a friends Christmas party and I got a text message from an old friend. A guy I met when I was 17. Always was considered a friend but now he was a widowed friend. His wife died 6 weeks before my mom died. We talked on the phone often for a month or so and he planned to stop by and visit in February as he would be traveling through my area. On February 6 2019 I felt so bad. I still went to work and shortly after getting there I walked into Dr Keitha’s office and told her I felt really bad. She questioned me and decided to find out what my blood sugar was doing….469. She did tell me I should go to the hospital but I refused. I totally knew how people became diabetic and I knew what changes had to be made. Though it seemed like my brain was not working quite right. Suddenly all of my issues of the last 6 months made sense to her. Not me because I was not putting the pieces well. She tucked me under her wing and coached me to get better. Now two days later on February 8 2019 my long ago friend walked through my office door. Keitha had made me stop doing massage for a month but I was to come in to the office. So, there I sat when he walked in. He took me out to supper. He had experience with a relative with diabetes and was not put off by that.

From this point on I will make a couple of posts bringing folks up to date on my story and then will go back to writing my mother’s story. As even after her death she remains part of my story. I will make a Diabetic update and a personal life update and then it has been requested for me to continue my mother’s legacy. I know she would be happy with that

In the beginning there were enzymes

Soon after mom started the practice of reflexology she attended a convention. A vendor in the vendor hall was selling digestive enzymes. According to him they would just help everything. 

She decided to give them a try after a therapist friend told her that she had lost tons of weight by taking them. Mother had no clue where you bought them so she left the convention with the biggest bottle.  She took them with every meal for a few months. Lost not one pound. 

She had always had bad knees from even childhood. She could not squat down or bend her knees in any way. About the time she figured out she was not losing weight she realized her knees were not hurting and she was much more flexible. She quit taking the the enzymes as she has had not lost weight. But when she quit taking them her knees got bad again. So she figured it out. And she told everyone about what the enzymes had done for her. They wanted her to get them some.  The enzymes really seemed to help everyone. Well, that was the beginning. And she researched supplements and vitamins and herbs for the next 50 years. In 1981 she was introduced to Natures Sunshine. From those days on she was an herbalist.   And Natures Sunshine was her company of choice. 

She always knew how important digestive enzymes were. They are important for all of us. So many body processes require enzymes. 

Why did I remember this?  It was a cornerstone of her beliefs.  NSP has enzymes on sale this month.  I thought of her. And her enzyme story...

Golden Nuggets of Wisdom

I love this!  It was a note I found amongst her things returned from the skilled nursing center.  She was teaching the staff members while she was there. 

Sunday Morning Memories

The time was long ago. The location was Grapevine Texas.  The place was the small Church of Christ. 

My mother was doing a very thriving business of reflexology in our home at that time. And many of the church family came for what they called "treatments". So when we walked in to church and sat down you could see Brother Jones or Smith or Brown nudge the visitor sitting next to him and point to my MOTHER. Then I pretty much knew what would happen before we left that building.  After church as we were slowly headed outside I could see them making their way to her. She had a firm hold on my hand. There was no escape. I KNEW there were at least a thousand people in hearing distance. Did I mention the church was small? It was like watching a train wreck about to happen.  I hear them call her name. Introduce the visitor. Something like this "this is my sister, she is visiting from Houston. She has been having a lot of problems with "XYZ". Do you think you could help her with this? "

And here I stand. Knowing what every ear is about to hear. My mother looks right at them and asks ....right there in front of God and everyone... HOW is your ELIMINATION ?  No matter how much I prayed the earth never did open up a swallow me before it could happen. 

I knew she totally believed that most health issues stemmed from people not digesting their food or eliminating it in the proper time frame. For all of her life she would believe that was a key issue. She had no problem asking that question anywhere. As I grew into my teens it was less embarrassing and it a bit entertaining to watch the look on the visitors face when asked. 

Generally this ended with mom telling them when we would be finished with lunch and to bring the visitor by in the late afternoon. And no matter the problem they always left feeling better. 

The above scenario happened very often. 

So that reminds me... How is your elimination today?

Forget Me Not: This is my Legacy

August 2015. Meet Christine, she was about to celebrate her last birthday - her 94th. 

She was a very wise natural health practitioner. She had been active in that business since the early 1960s. 

I am her daughter, LaVonna Gates.  As she realized her time was running out she told me her greatest regret was she had to take her Wisdom with her. She could no longer be here to help others in need. 

I have worked for her and with her since the late 1970s. I know much of what she said, what she was taught, and what she believed.  After a few months to consider all of this I decided to write a memorial blog. She would love if I could leave her wisdom all over the world.  Her Legacy. Never to be forgotten.   

I will post tidbits and stories every few days.