As I sit and write this post, I realize that it is the 21st Thanksgiving holiday that I have been living with ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia. While this may sound crazy, I am thankful in many ways to these illnesses because of the person they have made me become. Being chronically ill is unfair and overall sucks, but all of us suffering have to admit that we are much stronger people because of what we have had to go through. I am thankful for that.
I am thankful that I can find the good in a bad situation that has changed my life forever, but am learning and growing every single day from it and becoming a better person because of it. I am thankful that having ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia has given me the ability to feel compassion and empathy for others. It has also given me the strength to not accept excuses from others who are healthy and who are not willing to push themselves and to live up to their potential when I do everything in my power as sick as I am to exceed at life. Whether we are sick or healthy, what we do with our lives all boils down to the choices we make on a daily basis. We can get up in the morning and choose to make today a better day, or we can choose to get up and just get by. I am thankful that I want more than to just get by.
I am thankful that even on the days when I’m in major pain and my body is unable to function that I know deep inside my exhausted brain that I’m going to have a better day…whether it be tomorrow or next week. I don’t always know when I’ll be able to get back to life and back to my dreams and goals, but they are still there and that keeps me hopeful and sane.
I am always thankful for my loved ones and friends who love me despite everything I have put them through and what they have to live with. I’m thankful that they don’t give up on me because it’s not easy for them. I’m thankful for this outlet where I can write my thoughts and feelings and share with others who go through the same fears, emotions, highs and lows that I go through with ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia. Of course, I am always thankful to my loyal readers for the past 5 years who have followed my ups and downs and who have shared your ups and downs with me as well. It’s comforting and doesn’t feel so alone in this big world when we can share with each other the common thread of CFS & Fibromyalgia.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!
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