Hi Readers, This is an update to my recent post “Awaiting Sentence”. I have good news, all worked out and my driver’s license is renewed. Like so many “normal” things I once took for granted, I will never take my driver’s license for granted again (no matter how bad the picture is!)
This has been an unexpected gift with chronic illness, appreciating, finding joy in activities, abilities, rights, that are often taken for granted. It is true that often we must lose something to know how much it means to us.
An example of this is in my life is that grocery shopping is now one of my favorite activities. I KNOW if I was not ill, I would never have written that! A good lot of the time, I can’t grocery shop. I have no control beyond making the list and giving it to my hubby, who I must say has become quite the grocery shopper. I don’t think that I would have ever written that either if chronic illness hadn’t entered our lives. When I am able to accompany my hubby to the grocery store for the weekly grocery shopping trip, or to do a small trip myself, I feel like a kid at Disneyland!
Whether it’s having a driver’s license, being able to get out and shop, go to coffee or lunch with a friend, watch my children’s sports events and activities, have a day when I feel good enough to pick up the phone and have a great conversation with a friend or to be able to make a homemade meal for my family, or even to be able to sweep the kitchen floor…it is different now, far more precious.
I think I can speak for all with Gastroparesis– food, eating, will never be taken for granted. For those in chronic pain–the state of comfort. For those with muscle weakness-strength. For those whose gait is effected-walking without aide. For those with cognitive difficulties-one’s innate intelligence unhindered. There is so much more that if there were time, room and longer attention spans–that should be listed here.
I would enjoy hearing about something you no longer take for granted due to having an illness enter your life. (If you want to share, just click on “comment” or “read comments” below this post.)
I’m happy to hear your good news on your drivers license!
Since being chronically ill, I’ve come to find so much appreciation in the little things I am able to do now that I couldn’t do before. I’m able to walk to my dd’s classroom, open a door for someone, stay awake for more than 3-4 hours, have some friends over for lunch, have a play date for my dd and do spend more time with my family.