A Happy Post

Due to the outpouring of concern and love over the past few weeks, it's my goal to focus this blog post on the positive things that are going on amid the chaos of Joshland right now. I won't B.S. you and say things are just fine because they aren't, but I will say they are getting better and here are some of the reasons why:

• My allergies and asthma are killing me right now and that affects all aspects of my CF care too. I believe that the bizarre weather has had a lot to do with my troubles. My lungs need at least a week or more to adjust to a new climate and when there is snow on April 27th and then sticky humidity on May 10th, it makes them angry. The docs and I are working on a plan to alleviate some of these symptoms and I'm happy to say that there have been spans of great relief for the first time in months. It isn't perfect, but it's a start and I'm sure we'll get a handle on this thing sooner than later.

• While I couldn't cut my grass this weekend(thank you allergies and asthma), I did get the push lawnmower ready for the day so Carly could fly through it. For some reason a freshly mowed and somewhat cleaned up yard makes me happy. It's the little things like being a responsible homeowner that give me peace of mind.

• I've been walking the dogs a lot more lately which makes us all very happy. They were SO BORED and inactive this winter/spring thanks to the weather that they got a little out of shape, so the exercise was good for everyone...including me. It's been a very peaceful part of my day and I'm thankful for those moments of serenity.

• My wife is amazing. My family is amazing. My friends are amazing. I am blessed.

• My goddaughter says my name all the time now...even when I'm not there. Jossssssssssssssh. When my wife and I see her, she runs to me and asks me to hold her. It makes me smile and tear up a little.

• I've enjoyed cutting back on my computer time. I suggest you try it too. It's done wonders for my mood.

• I recently received a wonderful thank you packet from a phenomenal group of young adults that I spoke to this past February. We had an open discussion about living a positive life and doing the best you can with what you are given. Giving hope to others is my passion and when I get positive feedback like that from the attendants it let's me know I'm doing something right with my life. Thank you to my wonderful new friends I met at Student Connection Day. You have a special place in Joshland. :-)

• My dad is walking the path with cancer and I am proud of him. Sometimes I get frustrated and angry with him, but overall I have to say he has handled everything as well as he can. Love you, Pop. Thank you to everyone for your caring thoughts and comments. They mean a lot.

• My heart is broken from the terrible run of lost lives in the CF Community this week. I resolve to keep fighting for all of my kindred spirits. Peaceful thoughts and lots of love go out to all who passed away this week and those who are mourning their loss.

• I was asked by the Blooming Rose Foundation to be a part of an OUTSTANDING panel of professionals in the CF Community along with some of my fellow CFers who stand out as great role models to our population. I'll be writing a more in-depth blog post about this program very soon, but for now please click on the link below to check new panel out and submit a question today:

Ask the CF Experts - Blooming Rose Foundation

• I had a small "Welcome to Joshland" T-shirt sale to benefit the Breathe 4 Tomorrow Foundation on my personal Facebook page this past month. I'm still waiting for some money to come in, but so far the results look promising. Keep your fingers crossed. My good friend and fellow CFer, Sarah Morris, is the founder of this non-profit and recently had an article published about her foundation in the June 2011 Edition of Ladies Home Journal and on lhj.com. Check it out here to learn more about her and B4T:

Breathing Easier - One woman turned her own medical crisis into a lifeline for her fellow patients

I've also been raising money for the CF Foundation's Great Strides Walk the last few weeks and so far my team has raised just over $1,000 for the CF Foundation online and I'm sure there will be more to give in person at the walk. You can donate to that walk here if you'd like:

Joshland's J-Walkers Great Strides for the CF Foundation Donation Page

I can say with little hesitation that I'm an exceptional advocate, entertaining and motivating speaker, and a champion of causes of all kinds, but when it comes to putting together actual events for fundraising efforts...well...that's a weak point for me. That's why I wanted to confront this weakness and try my t-shirt fundraiser in a smaller setting. It's been a stressful and slower process than I wanted it to be, but I'm proud to say that I was successful in fundraising for two EQUALLY IMPORTANT non-profits in the CF Community at the same time! It can be done, people. In the midst of all my health issues and other tumultuous stuff happening in the past month, I accomplished something very big. Not to toot my own horn, but..."TOOT, TOOT!"

Thanks to everyone who bought a Joshland Shirt this year. Maybe next year I'll open up the t-shirt sale on my blog. Lord help me...I'm already stressed out. :-) Oh, and thanks to everyone who donated to my CF Walk. Every dollar counts for both of these special organizations.

• The "Moganko For CF Project" has been going really well. The music, the video footage and editing, and the participation of many wonderful families in the CF Community has been amazing thus far. I have to give a special shout out to my cousin Molly and my wife for going above and beyond what they had to do this past month. I wouldn't be where I am with this project without you two. There is still no set launch date for the project yet with all the other things going on in my life, but I promise...when it does launch...IT IS GOING TO BE GREAT FOR EVERYONE IN THE CF COMMUNITY!

That's all for now. See you in a few weeks with a new story!

Peaceful Things and Lots of Love,

Josh