My Journey

A week ago or maybe it was two weeks ago now... eh, time sucks at times trying to remember - my head is sort of in a fog currently as I waking up... I read and finished a pretty neat personality quiz book. My mom had it in books for the yard sale Mike and I had last summer and it was left from that to be donated and it caught my eye so I figured why not give it a shot. I'm going to add it to a free little library now. I took a similar test twice over like the last 15 years and got the same results.
'What type am I? Discover who you really are' By Renee Baron
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/330847/what-type-am-i-by-renee-baron/
In this book it discusses the Myer Briggs personality tests and you answer questions set up in a similar way. It was pretty detailed, I enjoyed it. And honestly it was a quick read because after taking your quiz and figuring out what type you are then you just need to read the parts that relate to your results - unless you want to read the whole book. The more power to you then!
Have any of you read similar books or taken personality tests?

I'm a part of the 'Ideal Seekers' - The NF temperament. Their are 4 NF types: INFP, ENFJ, ENFP and INFJ.
NF personality types at their best: compassionate, warm, loyal, helpful, idealistic and genuine.
NF personality types at their worst: hypersensitive, overly emotional, judgmental, impractical, unrealistic and self absorbed.
The one part that stuck with me was that we have an anti-authoritarian attitude and often take sides with the underdog.
We can be known to be warm hearted, affirming, nurturing and empathic.

E: is energized by the external world
N: focuses on visions and possibilities
F: decides according to personal values
J: wants things settled and decided

This past Saturday - on the 16th - my nephew Alex passed away from an auto accident. He was just 25, literally at the prime of his life. We don't know the surrounding details of the crash. It sounded like it was quick, which I hope it was and I hope he didn't suffer. He was such a smart young man, had a good job, loved to travel, loved nature, loved his family & friends. When I think of Alex I can't think of anything negative or bad. Just a happy, warm soul. His smile lit up his face and he gave off such warmth and friendly vibes. This news has left me feeling pretty numb and broken. I haven't cried this much in a long time. It's been on and off now. I wasn't expecting something on this level to happen. At least not to someone to young. I regret not talking to him more or giving him more hugs.
On Facebook his mother has been sharing pictures and memories of him as well as other people - and he's smiling and looking ahead so proud and ready to take on the world in all of them. Laughing or doing something goofy. I'm glad there are so many memories of him out there now to look back on when we need to. When I think of Alex the expression free spirit comes to mind. I've recently learned and saw new things about my nephew I didn't know. Like he was a Jimmy Hendrix fan - in some recent photos he has some cool band shirts on. Or how passionate he was when it came to nature. I knew he loved it and did some landscaping but had no idea hos personal views on engineering and how nature can be connected. It makes total sense - but hearing it from him left me with goose bumps. He recently cut and donated his hair for wings for cancer patients just like me. His father who is my brother, his mother and two other siblings had a special trip this past April that they went to Florida and had a lovely time. I'm glad they had that trip together.
When he was born in 2000 I was just a teen but I remember being around and watching him grow up. He was always such a happy baby. Beautiful blond hair, blue eyes, a wonderful glowing smile. He was their first child and what a wonderful family they always were and became right before our eyes. All so successful and inspiring, I always feel good when surrounded by them. The idea that he is gone now just tears my heart wide open. I don't know why such cruel events have to happen to any of us - let alone someone so special. The last few times I've seen Alex were at family get togethers like Thanksgiving and Christmas. His mother created this game that we play that was fast placed and fun. It involved dice and switching around random gifts and at the end of the game we all got socks with different designs. I loved it because we all got the same gift, it was a game made for the whole family to connect over. And I remember Alex and I think a few others talking out new ideas for next years game - he was so excited and full of ideas. I love thinking of that little moment. Being together under their family roof and seeing their children as adults now sometimes would leave me aw-struck. I can't imagine how it is for actual parents to have raised a child all the way to adulthood. But just as an aunt siting on the sidelines I witnessed such beauty, love and growth. To see these babies become their own people with their own personalities and then to go out into the world and make a difference - it touches my heart that I knew him and that he's made an impact with so many individuals.
This reminds me of siblings I have lost at all young ages as well. Again, I'm not sure why young souls are taken so early. I like to think Alex is up there in heaven now having some much needed time with relatives he hasn't met yet, some that he has and some new guidance and angles at his side. I made plans days ago with a friend who our thing is going to parks to walk and explore. So I didn't want to cancel, I figured getting out of the house would be good for me. Today while we were out I thought of sweet Alex with almost everything I saw. The trees, the flowers, the water, rocks, birds and butterflies I got to watch. Feeling the breeze, the water as my shoes got wet at times, smelling flowers... How much beauty there is on this earth and to know he will always be with me as my friend and nephew brings me some strength in these difficult times.

I wanted to share this article about him and this short video he is in.
https://quietremembrance.site/alex-forristal-accident-mantua-ohio-man-dies-in-traffic-collision/?fbclid=IwY2xjawMQkI5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHvBlD7dLwVnqxSaOk8ugu0GWrGB9y3bMOnCNyxUZ-kehUBLGFf6qn8MR7Xym_aem_59HarmSNSHDY0PKW_CezGA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WYDBWy4_OI