I swear people purposely distract me to keep me from noticing. Many things just slip past without my knowledge. I don’t find out ‘til they’re over.

Things slip by me

I missed my 130th post. Didn’t realize it was the 130th. That’s not such a big thing, or it wouldn’t be if I hadn’t missed the 125th post, and previous to that the 100th post.

What a Dumb Thing to Say

Of course I didn’t miss my 100th, I wrote it. I just didn’t realize it was my 100th when I wrote it. My 100th post was entitled “I write about my health because…” and the last line in it was “(BTW & FYI, this was my hundredth post here, I ought to be celebrating …) ” – that was an add on.

Having ADHD Doesn’t Help in This Situation Either

It was completely my fault that I missed it, I was engrossed in the Wego Health’s “The health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge.” I was so busy trying to put out a post every day for one month that I missed the fact that I was publishing my 100th post, until I’d published it.

Nothing New

This, of course, is not a new thing by any means. I miss all manner of occasions and appointments. What is it about thinking we have everything under control that makes us oblivious to the fact that control can slip away quietly and leave us stranded somewhere with a list of missed dates, overdue projects and late deliveries.

My car rolls over significant numbers on its odometer with alarming frequency. Alarming both because I miss these occasions (I’m dying to get a photograph of some big long string of zeros), and because my car seems to be gathering more mileage than I’ve driven it for.

Thank God For the Radio!

But there are some things that can’t get past me. Holidays that come with pressure, ie. Christmas with its guilt-charged laundry-list of things to do and buy, is trumpeted from every speaker. Long weekends come with charged up DJs hollowly proclaiming their enthusiasm at having been chosen to keep us company.

My Country ‘Tis of Thee

And Canada Day, today, is no exception. It is used to market all manner of “must have” things with crimson leaves emblazoned on them. There are so called ‘parties’ held at retail outlets, thinly veiled excuses to get you within the effective range of salesmen flogging everything: frozen food, furniture, cars, hot-tubs, mortgages and midway rides.

Make No Mistake

Don’t get me wrong here. I love my country. I’m passionate about it. My mother once referred to me as a Rabid Canadian (not diseased, enthusiastic). My neighbours are people who represent a rainbow of colour and culture. They share their history with me and I with them.

Oddly enough, I get to claim to be a first generation Canadian and a member of the established culture at the same time.

My father, born in 1933 in Newfoundland, 16 years before Confederation reached those shores, became a Canadian in 1949 when his country became a province, bringing with it a culture older than any other in North America.

On my mothers side, I am sixth generation Canadian, maybe more. I have traced my lineage back to my great, great, great grandmother and grandfather.

A History and a Goal

ADHD is not well recognized here, yet, but we have a history of doing the right thing, eventually. We pioneered health care. Canada is credited with many medical discoveries that have impacted the world. We are a stubborn people who will not give up, no matter the odds, and I am one of these.

And I’ve decided that this country and this planet will know we ADHDers have been here.

So look out, Canada, and get ready world. My tribe is growing into its boots and we’re getting down to business. And that business is making you aware that we are not only here, but that we’ve been here for a long time and we’re not going away.

Happy Canada Day! Enjoy it, I’m going to!

 

 

 

 

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