Have we ever just stopped and thought about how thankful we really aren't? I had that moment today.
We go about our daily lives not thinking twice. Wake up, shower, get dressed, go to work, come home, eat dinner, go to bed... wake up and do it all over again. It's so easy to get caught up in the things that are going wrong that we never stop to think about what's going right.
If you've visited this blog before, you know that my health is my greatest life challenge. If you're a newcomer-- welcome-- then know I have cystic fibrosis and it presents each day with a set of medicines, treatments, and choices that the "average Joe" doesn't deal with.
Today I "met" via Facebook another CFer through a CF group online. He's 35 and just had his first round of IV antibiotics for a lung exacerbation.
WOW.
My initial gut reaction was "You must be so healthy!!!" but thankfully, I stopped myself before sending that. I've been around the CF online community long enough to know that just because your lungs are clear doesn't mean the rest of your body is behaving.
"How does your CF manifest? Do you have other complications?"
"Digestion and liver issues. Acute liver failure."
Yikes.
Among other issues that I'll spare you the details, this guy has a laundry list of problems, complications, and surgery history that made me cringe.
"You must be so healthy!!!" seemed like a ridiculous response now. I was so grateful I didn't send it.
But what it did make me do what stop and reflect on my own life and how thankful I haven't been but certainly should be.
I was last hospitalized December 2014. I recently had my wisdom teeth out with zero complications and barely any weight lost. No, I'm not the healthiest person out there, but I can hold a full-time job and enjoy hobbies, social events, and date nights without thinking twice.
I am so thankful for my health.
Bet you didn't see that one coming. I sure didn't. But today was another friendly reminder that while we all have struggles and trials, we should definitely be thankful for the things in our life that are going well. I know I sure am.
-ARJ
