Merry Christmas! (Even on Sick Days)

One thing I truly love about writing is that I get to be completely real.  We all have struggles and trials in our lives, and yet we cease to talk about them.  We paste on a fake smile and play the tough guy while inside we're falling apart.  Well my writing is my safe zone to be real.  No fake smiles, no masks, no reminiscence of a barbie doll, and no sugar coating.  Just me and my inner most thoughts and feelings; imperfections and all.  Sometimes coping isn't possible if you can't get your thoughts and feelings straight, and I suppose that this is my way of saying "Hey, I'm real.  I'm a human being.  No, I don't look perfect right now.  Yes I'm in pain right now.  And yes, I did just spend my entire day in bed because of my chronic illness and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that."

With that said, I'm going to be completely real with you now.  The holidays are not easy.  They never have been.  Don't get me wrong.  I love Christmas, and I acknowledge the most important parts of the holidays.  But even then, there are some days that I'm in too much emotional and physical pain to care about the holiday season at all.  Two Christmases ago, my mother was so sick that she could barely get out of bed to spend Christmas morning with us.  Since then it feels like the domino effect has taken place in my home and family life.  Just one thing after another.  What do I have to be thankful for when I don't even really have the strength or motivation to get out of bed on some mornings?  How do I put the happy into the holidays when knives are stabbing me in the stomach and my legs feel like they're going to give out at any moment?  Where's the merry in Christmas when I'd rather do anything but lie in pain, but my chronic fatigue rather have me lay in bed. I was doing so much better for a couple of weeks, and then it's almost as if my Lyme got bored and decided to torture me for its own sick joy. 

A few nights ago I lay on my floor, wincing in pain, and praying for some relief.  The tears burned down my smeared face and discouragement flooded my mind and heart.  All I wanted was a form of rest at that moment.  With Chronic illness sleep (if you can obtain it) is your best friend. Your brief escape.  Your peace of mind for the time being.  I'm so grateful that even despite all the pain I feel, I'm still able to sleep soundly and forget my agony for a small moment.  And with that, there are so many more small moments in life that I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of.

Coping with chronic illness is all about looking to the small moments.  I'm so grateful for my family and close friends that I have that bless me with those small memories of joy during a hard time in my life.  Life is not all bliss, but seeing the bright side of even the smallest things will bring just enough light into life to make it through the day.  So to all that are struggling through the holidays, (or anytime of the year in that case) you're not alone.  You're loved, and I pray that every small moment of joy will flood your heart which in turn will allow sorrow to flee from your mind.  Look to the little bits of joy that life brings.  It's those things that will get you through your hardest times.  I hope your holiday season to be full of love, and I hope we can all find Christ in Christmas.  I wish you enough strength to get through the holiday season.  Happy Holidays, and Merry Christmas.