This year has been a great one for our crew. And maybe that's because we've come out the other side from all of 2012's struggles and heartaches. We've seen where we've been while navigating this path of our lives, and in that we have learned to appreciate the little things a little bit more. I'm not saying I don't get down, become selfish, want for more... But in the broad scope of life, we've got things pretty darn good here.
We've got our health, our loved ones, our friends, our Faith.
Since last year and all my health issues with lupus, we have been going, going, going. Some people (who mean well) have said "You need to slow down." "You are doing too much." And my least favorite: "You are going to make yourself sick...again". For those who have said it (or maybe even thought it) it's okay. I know you have no idea what it means to have a chronic illness. To be sick at random times, for random lengths of time, with random, alternating, confusing symptoms. There's no way you could possibly understand that after laying in the bed for six straight weeks twice in one year, watching life go on without participating in it; why I would ever think of slowing down, staying still, taking it easy.
You see, Lupus has taught me a lot about myself. It has taught me a lot about pushing through difficult times. It has taught me a lot about having faith when I have absolutely zero control over my illness. It took me along time to not feel guilty about being sick. I didn't cause lupus. Nothing I'm doing or not doing will cause my illness to flare. Yes, I can take care of myself, eat right, exercise and be the healthiest I can be on what I can control, but there is so much I can't control about lupus. So in the midst of the struggle, I try to count my blessings. I try to be grateful. Everyday. There's not a day that goes by when I'm not fully aware of this "thorn in my side". I may look healthy, smile through the pain and pretend like my body is not fighting itself, but the truth is...it is. And for that I'm thankful. For everything this disease has taught our family. For everything I've learned while traveling this road... about myself, my marriage, my children.
So you may not see my daily thankful posts, but I'm trying to be thankful (even in the hard stuff) everyday. And I challenge you to do the same. Carry your gratefulness not just through November but all the way through 2014. I promise it'll open your eyes to so much more and the big things will turn into the little things. Before you know it, the little things will just disappear. :)
