I do believe that having a positive outlook can make a difference. Despite all my bitching on here and occasionally on FB, I do try to see the bright side.
What I have taken away from this most recent bout with illness is that I was there for my husband when his mother passed away suddenly in 2012.
If I were working full time, I wouldn’t have been able to be there for him all those weeks when he was stuck in his home state and I was in Texas. I would have been working extra hard, wouldn’t have been able to answer his calls 24/7.
At the same time, my daughter was going through a crisis with her birth father. I was home for her. I was here and although I was sick, we had tons of “Mama-Baby” time watching movies, playing at home, occasionally going to the pool. I feel that if I wasn’t sick, I may not have been able to give her the attention she needed at that time and throughout her first year of school.
Being sick has made me slow down. Right before I got sick I was working at least 60hrs per week. I was making money to pay for my wedding. It was unfathomable to not have internet, not have cable, not have two cars, not go out to eat at least twice a week.
But slowly as my financial fortunes changed, my outlook on life has changed. I really don’t NEED all of that. I was never someone to be very materialistic, but having things stripped down to the bare minimum, and beyond, really helps you realize what is important.
So one thing that chronic illness has definitely given me is the ability to be more of an optimist.
true life is stranger than fiction.. 