I’m Thankful For The Little Things In Life

(Image from lift-me-today.com)

Our chronic illnesses, and the many symptoms and side effects that go along with them, are part of our daily lives. Not only are we dealing with the physical aspects of chronic illness, but we are also dealing with the emotional and mental aspects as well.   Some of our days are better and some are worse.

And then there are the days that are, for a variety of reasons, overwhelming.

On those days (and also my better days) I will try to take a step back and do some small thing to help me cope. Other days all I need to do is stop for a few minutes and  remember some of the little, everyday things that I’m thankful for that help make this journey with chronic illness a little easier.

Where I live I get all four seasons and each season brings something different and wonderful to remember.

• Spring means that grass will be growing,  trees come out of hibernation and within a few days are full of life, flowers blooming, my runny nose because I can’t stop myself from sniffing the flowers. Okay, not so thankful for the runny nose but one of the neighbours has a big, beautiful lilac tree and I will go, stand under the tree and just breathe in the scent.
• The three little entrepreneurs from across the street who sell lemonade on really hot, summer days.
• Our front porch becomes a little gathering place for us and some neighbours on hot summer nights. And, sometimes, one of the guys will play his guitar and serenade us.
• The different people who will shovel from the front porch to the sidewalk or help with yard work so that the job isn’t left to one person.
• The changing fall colours. We have a lot of large, old trees on our street that change colour. On sunny days it’s postcard perfect with splashes of orange, yellow and red.
• Really big and fluffy snowflakes. I find that watching them fall is the winter equivalent to listening to rain in the summer.

A hot cup of tea. And when my tummy is upset, peppermint tea.

Even though I live downtown, there are some blissfully quiet times. Evenings and weekends can be wonderful and Sunday mornings are the best!

Music and movies that can take me away from the stress, anxiety, and the daily ups and downs. My new favourite cd that I’m listening to is 21 by Adele.

The people who I live with are also going through their own health issues. They have the same warped sense of humour that I do and the simple act of talking with each other, being there for each other and laughing at the stupidest things help so much.

(Image from lift-me-today.com)

Thanksgiving 2010

As I’m typing this, the final preparations are being made for the U.S. Thanksgiving.  Parades, food and family are on the agenda for many people.

It’s also a time that people will take a few moments and think of what they are thankful for, and I’m no different.

In no particular order, here’s a short list of some things that I’m thankful are a part of my life.

• Getting on disability.  It wasn’t easy and it took two times before I was approved, but getting the extra money each month has given me the chance to get the internet and to realize I’m truly not alone in my journey.  Having the internet has taken away some of the isolation, especially the mental isolation, and has helped me adjust to a new normal.
• I live in a big, old house that was  turned into a rooming house.  It’s not the best of ways to live but we’re making the best of what, for many of us, is a lousy situation.  No one grows up thinking “I am going to live in a rooming house!” as part of their dream life.  Sometimes life doesn’t throw you a curve ball but many balls get thrown at you and there is no keeping up.  Again, making the best of a lousy situation.
• There has always been a group of people in the house that I consider friends who I can hang out with, and on days when I feel like crap, will run an errand for me.  And vice versa since we are all dealing with health issues.  We have given each other money or bank cards and have been able to trust the person to get what we need.  We have made a little community for ourselves where we can help each other out, talk through problems and check in on each other.  They have truly kept me from the depths of depression.
• Online shopping.  When walking a few blocks can be a nightmare, or an impossibility, being able to get anything online is a dream come true.
• All the information, entertainment and craziness that is available online with a quick search.

Well, that’s my short list.    It’s time to settle down for the night and be thankful for the warm home, food in my fridge and clothes that take me from season to season.

I hope you have a safe holiday and I leave you with this quote:

Thanksgiving comes to us out of the prehistoric dimness, universal to all ages and all faiths.  At whatever straws we must grasp, there is always a time for gratitude and new beginnings.

~J. Robert Moskin