This summer has turned out to be extraordinarily busy for me! Isn’t this when we’re all supposed to go on vacation? Well, until I am able to really get away, I’ll practice what I preach and find the opportunities to relax any moment I can. As I say time and time again, in the words of my father, Eduardo Sr., “it’s all about balance!”
For me that balance includes taking care of my career, my family, my friends and myself, and deciding when to give each area the priority! For others, especially those having to deal with any kind of health issue, finding balance can be daunting.
Ten years ago, my sister Monica was diagnosed with lupus. It’s a strange condition that still remains a mystery to those who have to live with it as well as to the medical community at large. Lucky for my sister, she has been dealing with what seems to be a somewhat “manageable” form of lupus. Similar to others afflicted with the disease, my sister’s lupus seems to be triggered by stress. People with lupus have what are called “flare ups” when the immune system seems to go on overdrive and starts to fight itself. Sounds complicated, right? Well, my sister was in the midst of a flare up prior to getting married. I wanted to assist her in her planning to ease the stress, so I helped with much of the coordination. I also composed some original music for her ceremony.
Over the last decade I have become an advocate of lupus awareness and have been doing what I can to support The Lupus Foundation of America. They have been a great resource of information for my family. This fall, I will be honored to serve as host for their annual Butterfly Gala in New York City.
Recently, I chose my sister’s backyard as the site for the webisode entitled, “Creating a Garden Oasis”. But before we shot the webisode, I needed to do a bit of a makeover for her! This is what the garden looked like before the makeover…
…and this is what it looked like after the makeover!
The changes were subtle and fairly inexpensive, but the difference was obvious! It became the perfect garden oasis for our webisode and a place where my sister could relax!
My niece, Monet, makes a guest appearance in this webisode as my co-host! Here we are walking Hazel in the park.
The whole experience made such a valuable impression on Monet, she decided to document it in a piece of art she made for me. This is her artistic interpretation of being with me in front of the camera!
As I mentioned earlier, I composed music for my sister’s wedding. One of the musical pieces is called “Velas”, which means candle in Spanish. The piece of music is the background music for this webisode. I hope you enjoy it!
You are a wonderful brother. I have Lupus also.I suffer a lot. All I cna say is God Bless the day you were born.
Thank you for bringing more awareness to lupus. There are so many that are mildly to greatly impacted by this little talked about disease and I am so grateful for your willingness to acknowledge your sisters moderate case.
Eduardo, thank you for being an advocate for Lupus. I was diagnosed five years ago and am still learning about the disease. It is so unfortunate that Lupus affects so many people who are not aware of the disease. I still have a hard time explaining the disease to people because they have never heard about it. They assume it is not a serious disease because on the outside I look perfectly fine. Stress is a major trigger for a flare up and well stress is so hard to avoid. A garden oasis is perfect to relax and relieve stress.
I was recently told as well I have Lupus and trying to understand it is the problem. I do also have flare ups while under pressure and I am a pretty at ease kind of gail however my work, (apartment management) sometimes causes conflicts. My husband has congestive heart failure so dealing with everything sometimes is over whelming but I try to stay positive as you do. I am so glad to have you in the Lupus Foundation as without people like you we would never find the way to hope. God Bless..
This is a wonderful thing that you have done for your sister. I too live with Lupus and most people do not understand what it is like to have to live with or live with someone that suffers with this disease. I thank you for giving your sister a place to be, to relax, and soothe herself. I wish the best for your sister and family. God bless you!
This is awesome poste for a long time i ‘ve ever read. Can i have your contact please? I have somthing to ask. Merci.
Eduardo,
Thank you so much for all you do to Lupus awareness. I have been in a 2 year flare up so far and this is when it was discovered I had Lupus. It has been 2 LONG years that I have been dealing with brain swelling and spinal fractures from softened bones from the meds, etc. I pray everyday that I will feel better soon and know God must have a reason for all this for me.
In the meantime God Bless you for what you do!
Joan Penfold