Chapter V: Turning Lemons into Lemonade

You know you’re not well in the minds of others when six months into your recovery from illness or injury, you go to the mailbox and there’s another half-dozen get well cards. Then someone comes to the door with dinner that evening to see how you are doing.

These are great gestures that we have embraced as a family for others.  All very warm and sincere wishes authored in the cards. Additionally, the dinners are well prepared with beautiful flowers on the side. Our house started looking and smelling like a funeral home. The reality is that we got to a point where we stopped opening cards and just let them stack up. Further, we started putting the dinners in the refrigerator and would go to restaurants as we did before the stroke.

It was time to fend for ourselves and start doing for others again. This is when the BARBIE “B” & FRIENDS emerged.

Many friends have said the organization has been an inspiration to them. “We don’t know how you do it,” some commented. That is meant to be a compliment and sounds good, but it is tough being the inspiration. 

Regardless, we strive to effectively turn a negative into a positive. It is like making “lemonade out of lemons.” Barb enjoys the self-esteem that the mission of the BBF brings with it, but more so what her experience can provide for others.