Choosing to See the Good in Life With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Being sick is rough. It is all day, every single day. Sure, some days are better than others. I even have brief moments where I temporarily almost forget I’m sick. Then, inevitably, reality hits with a vengeance. I have one child who doesn’t have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and one child who does. Duty calls. If I have a particularly rough time, life continues. The world continues to turn. Sports practices, homeschooling, nursing, caring, comforting, Boy Scouts, homework, housework, bills, groceries, quality time, and everything goes on. My obligations and life did not get the memo.

 

I really don’t feel well. In fact, most of the time, I feel practically wretched. There are days I drag myself into the shower, drag myself to brush my hair, hold onto walls to keep from falling. There are days I must tell my sons that the walk at the park just cannot happen that day. There are so many days that seem to never end, brutal days full of exhaustion, pain and struggling.

There are also bright days. There are days I find myself laughing so hard I can barely breathe, despite feeling like I could keel over. There are days I amaze myself by simply carrying out the duties for the day successfully. There are days I look into my children’s faces and see enough innocence and hope to carry me through. There are days when I truly fool everyone around me.

In all, despite there being so much struggle, I wouldn’t change it for the world. I cherish each moment, because I know how hard life can be. I do see the other side, the sun through the storm. I see the same beautiful struggles and triumphs in my sons and in what my family endures.

It is a choice to see the good. It isn’t always an easy choice to make, but it is certainly remarkable to see.

Thinkstock photo via AndrewSoundarajan.